Before you hire a virtual assistant, there are a few things to think about.
With the rise of virtual assistants, the definition of what it means to be a virtual assistant has shifted. The founders and leaders of this particular entrepreneurial employment have defined what it means to be a virtual assistant, as well as what it does not imply. You'll want to keep this standard in mind when explaining your business to others.
Being a virtual assistant is quickly establishing itself as a separate concept of a home-based business. It is expected that a virtual assistant's standards will be upheld for all individuals who work in this field. This means that a virtual assistant is someone who delivers a wide range of services to organizations and individuals while adhering to a set of guidelines that have been codified over the last decade.
The concept of being virtual is the first aspect taken in exploring what a virtual assistant is. You are not regarded a virtual assistant if you are not working from home or remotely. Instead, it is regarded as a temporary or telecommuting position. One of the requirements for working as a virtual assistant is the ability to operate from anywhere.
In business, I'm hearing the term "virtual assistant" more and more. Did you know that you could hire someone from another continent to work while you sleep for as little as $8 - $12 per hour? The majority of the VAs I work with have degrees, including one who has an MBA in Business Administration. I pay her a pittance of $15.00 per hour, which is a steal.
The differentiation highlighted in the job description is the second part of becoming a virtual assistant. The term "virtual assistant" conjures up images of secretaries and freelancers, which most virtual assistants despise. In technical terms, a freelance worker is someone who works part-time to supplement their income. A secretary, on the other hand, is someone who does not deal with a single client on a continual basis. A virtual assistant is supplied to help a company establish a solid and long-term relationship.
Here are five things to think about when hiring a virtual assistant.
Professionalism is number one. Is the VA prompt and professional in responding to her or his emails, voicemails, and other correspondence? If this person is to work for you, it is critical that they have the necessary skills to not keep you or a deadline waiting. Make sure you offer her or him a secret work to complete that demonstrates a commitment to deadlines.
2. Project administration. Nowadays, juggling responsibilities is essential. We now tap our feet in front of the microwave, indicating that things must be completed. If a person can't handle multiple projects at once, it's time to move on. You'll only discover out they have a project management problem if you lose "the big transaction," I guarantee.
3. Accessibility. Many of these individuals work for multiple clients at the same time. It's fairly uncommon for you to be part of a VA funnel system as an employer. As they take on better contracts from new virtual employers, you gradually advance down the funnel. Keep in mind that you and your project will be dropped when you least expect it. You should also be recruiting new VAs. To overcome this issue, try splitting your work across two or more virtual assistants.
4. Put it to the test. Before signing a contract, give the VA a small project to work on. I also assign at least two projects that should cost no more than $30-$40 to do. Before I even consider this person, I need them done perfectly and to my complete satisfaction. It's simple to hire one of the first few people who show up, but please shortlist at least ten people and assign duties to two of them. Obviously, be sure these are chores you want to complete; otherwise, you'll be wasting money.
5. Ask for references. Can the VA provide you with a list of people who can tell you about working with her or him?
The idea of being in a relationship with a business and making this their business is the major differentiation that most virtual assistants will strive to achieve. This goes above and beyond any temporary or telecommuting job's expectations. It also means that the services a virtual assistant can give will extend beyond the scope of office job descriptions. You may best approach this in your personal relationships with firms if you grasp the guidelines for becoming a virtual assistant.