How To Choose Your Virtual Assistant

Hiring a virtual assistant is one of the best decisions any business owner could

make - they free you from time-consuming, and often energy draining

administrative tasks, leaving you with more time and power to work on your

business' concepts or creative direction.

A virtual assistant, however, is only as helpful as they're in themselves a good

assistant, which is why hiring the right one could mean a world of difference.

So what exactly does it mean when we say "good assistant"?

They Have Good Communication Skills

Good communication skills are beneficial for both you-and-assistant situations as well as situations wherein the

assistant will have to contact your partners or any other business affiliates, and as with everything else, clear

communication helps avoid unnecessary delays as well as less-than-ideal situations.

Aside from relaying messages concisely and completely, it's important that they are able to do so without you having

to pour out answers from them. More importantly, good communication skills make sure you're on the same page.

This is especially important when they're to deal with your contacts since one missed-out detail could deter all other

efforts.

They Are Reliable

There are lots of VA horror stories floating about the internet, and it's all due to flaky VAs who disappear on clients.

These examples of ill-trained assistants shouldn't deter one from hiring a VA, however, as situations like these are

easily avoidable as long as you choose the right, dependable assistant.

Professionalism is a factor when it comes to a good business owner-VA relationship. Virtual assistants are bound by

their job to provide you with regular updates on tasks, as well as quick to respond when needed.

They Are Able to Manage Their Time and Projects Efficiently

Efficiency is the essence of when it comes to maximizing the hours you've contracted with your assistant. Time

management done right means more things are done within a shorter time, which is great for you as their client

since projects will be navigated through a lot easier.

The ability to manage projects well, meanwhile, means a good level of organizational skills. When you ask for

records on a project or updates on what tasks have been finished, you won't have to sit by and wait as they

rummage through files and what not.

They Are Resourceful

It's a given that assistants rely on their clients for tasks and projects, but they should otherwise be able to manage

on their own. This means they don't constantly ask you questions that are easily answerable via Google, and when

given tasks that they may not hold expertise in, are capable enough to research on the area of concern.

They Are Honest

In relation to resourcefulness, it's also vital that your assistant is honest about what they can and cannot do. Some

are prone to overpromising in hopes of impressing you with their resume, but come the actual situation, isn't able to

deliver, putting you, their client, in a rather embarrassing predicament.

Honesty in an assistant lets you know where their strengths really are and what kind of tasks you should be

delegating to them.

As you can see, it all really matters as to the quality of the assistant you get. Not everyone has the time to interview

and train assistants, which is why a reputable virtual assistance service company could really come in handy.

You won't have to worry about the searching and training part since these assistants already have experience under

their belts and can jump from one task to another. All you'd need to do is the hire them.