Hiring a virtual assistant is a major decision, but it’s one of the best decisions you could make to help you balance your time and allow you to take a much-needed break once in a while. Your administrative tasks and other responsibilities can be time-consuming. If you have a virtual assistant by your side, you can spend more of your time on duties and responsibilities that can give your business – and your personal life – a boost. But if you need to hire a virtual assistant, how can you choose the ideal one? Here’s what you need to know.

1. Determine their function 

One of your foremost steps is to decide what their function will be. In other words, what would you like them to do? You should be clear with your priorities and tasks as well as your timescale for your virtual assistant. This way, you can find one precisely according to your needs. For example, if you are running a real estate firm, you may need a virtual real estate assistant who is knowledgeable in real estate and property management. Take note of this and state this in their function. This way, you can ensure that tasks and reports will be delivered as expected. If you would like them to manage your schedule and travel plans or business trips, state this as well. 

2. Look for the right experience 

The second step may not be that big of a deal, but it’s a reasonable consideration, particularly if you’re in a specialised niche. A virtual assistant who has a good knowledge of your industry or niche (or has worked with someone in the same niche) will be more aware of its nuances and intricacies and other, more technical details and aspects. 

3. Find one with the right skill

Whilst it’s not too much of a priority to find someone with the right experience in your sector, you would want someone with the right skill – specifically for the tasks you need them to accomplish, as expert virtual assistant agencies like www.pink-spaghetti.co.uk will attest. If you want someone to manage your social media, for example, it pays to look for someone who has experience with it or who has done it in the past. 

Most virtual assistants today will already have training concerning various administrative tasks and duties, but if you need something more specific, make sure they have this – or are at least willing to be trained.

4. Consider their personality 

Since you will be working closely with this person, it would make sense to consider their personality. You want someone who will do a good job and someone with whom you can get along. Can you imagine yourself working and collaborating with them on a day-to-day basis? Also, trust your instincts – if it tells you that you may not work well with them, it may be a good idea to hold off on your decision and make a further assessment. It would be good if they could also have the same enthusiasm you have for your business and will do their best to help you attain your goals, even if it’s as ‘minor’ as organising your database or responding to your emails.

Here’s another detail you may want to consider: are they reactive or proactive? There is no correct persona; it will depend on whether you want someone to actively participate and come up with ideas or whether you want someone who can complete the things you want them to do. 

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