Canadian Virtual Assistants
How to Hire a Virtual Assistant in 8 Easy Steps!
Wondering how to hire a virtual assistant? Where do you find a reliable VA who you trust with such important business tasks?
If your business is growing and you’ve decided it’s time for hiring help, a virtual assistant is a great way to go. But you want to make sure you find someone who is a good fit for you and your business.
Hiring a Virtual Assistant – A How-To Guide
1. Before hiring a virtual assistant, choose the tasks you want to pass off.
Virtual assistants have varying strengths and skill sets and can take an incredible number of tasks off your plate. You want to make sure you find the perfect match for the jobs you have. Are you looking for a master of organization, a creative VA who's terrific at content creation, or someone to help with your books and finances?
Before looking for a VA, jot down a list of the main tasks you would like to pass off. Start with the jobs you hate, the tasks that eat up your time, and the tasks that aren't in your wheelhouse. Then, once you have your list, prioritize which jobs are most critical, and look for a VA who specializes in those areas.
2. Set a budget. What is the cost of a virtual assistant?
How much can you spend each month on the tasks you delegate to your virtual assistant? While you may have an enormous list of what you would like to pass off, the amount you want to spend each month may dictate how many items you a VA to complete.
How much virtual assistants cost depends on various factors, including their experience level, education, skillsets, and specializations. The more complex and time-consuming the task, the more you will pay to have it done.
Go back to your list of tasks and ask yourself – how much can I pay to get this job done? What is it worth to me – is it helping my business? Is it allowing me to spend more time on money-making activities?
3. The search begins – where to find a virtual assistant.
Where do you find a virtual assistant who’s right for you? I always recommend starting close to home and looking for referrals from your network, friends, and family. Getting suggestions from those you trust who have already worked with a business assistant will give you a leg up.
You can look for a virtual assistant who runs their own business, one who works with an agency, or one who advertises through job boards. Each has pros and cons.
Freelance VA
· A freelance VA is a business owner who has more control over their time and how they operate.
· May have more specialized skillsets if you are looking for one highly skilled task.
· You may get a better rate from a freelancer than from an agency as they have less overhead.
· They may have limitations on the jobs they can complete (because they are only one person compared to an agency)
· You have more control over who you work with (you know precisely which virtual assistant you will work with – at an agency, it can switch)
Virtual Assistant agency
· A team of people may have different skillsets and expertise who can work together on your project.
· You can choose from a pool of talent, and if one VA isn't a good fit, you can request to work with someone else.
· It is generally more expensive to work with an agency
Job Board Websites
· You can find virtual assistants on websites such as Fiver, but you need to do your homework!
· There is a mixed bag on these sites (who haven’t been pre-screened)
· Some are professionals, while others may be students or less experienced part-time VA’s
· This is generally a good option when you are looking for a one-time project
4. Create a job ad to help find a virtual assistant.
A job post is beneficial if you are looking for someone with a specific skill set. Be sure to give a brief description of the particular tasks you would like a VA to be responsible for. Include how many hours you are looking to hire your virtual assistant and what industry you are in.
5. Interview potential candidates.
The length and type of interview may vary depending on where you are searching for your virtual assistant (some job boards will limit communication until after the hiring process). Come up with a few short questions to determine if the candidate is a good fit for the tasks, if their pricing is in line with what you can afford and if their style and personality seem to be a good fit within your business. You want to hire an assistant you enjoy working with!
6. Choose the VA who seems like a good fit.
When hiring a VA, choose someone who seems like the best overall fit for the job – who would you enjoy working with?
What to look for when hiring a business assistant:
· Are they reliable, professional, and trustworthy?
· Do they clearly communicate and ask questions to clarify instructions?
· Have they worked in your industry before?
· Are they organized and great with technology?
· Do they have experience with the tasks you need to be done?
7. Define expectations (on both sides).
One of the first things you want to do once you’ve hired your VA is to spend some time deciding how you will work together. How will you communicate? How often? When will you be invoiced? What platforms will you use to chat? How will you monitor success?
8. Create an onboarding system.
They will need to know your brand, standards, processes, and systems to be consistent with what you have in place.
How to Hire a Virtual Assistant Who’s the Best Fit
When you are ready to take the leap and hire a VA to take those time-consuming tasks off your plate, there are many things to consider.
· Skillsets, talent, and qualifications
· Cost and quality
· Personality and communication style
· The tasks you need to be completed
Hiring a virtual assistant will simplify your life and help you get back to the work you love! If you would like more info on how to hire a virtual assistant –
reach out to us. We’d love to chat!
Proud member of The Canadian Association Of Virtual Assistants.
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