Virtual assistance is a collaborative effort or relationship between the employee and the employer which is largely based on mutual trust and professionalism. Hiring and finding the correct virtual assistant for your business is a tricky business, as there are innumerable Virtual assistants throughout the globe providing wide variety of services in many domain of work. The need for a virtual assistant generates when a business does not have the skills or skilled professionals to complete their work in-house which might cost them more, new recruitment, involves more concentration, due to shortage of time and many other reasons. Never the less hiring a virtual assistant is definitely the best way these days to get the work dome with efficiency and on time.
However it is important to find the correct and efficient virtual assistant for your business requirement and which will suit you well. Here are some tips in hiring a Virtual Assistant:-
1. What to expect?
There are various types of Virtual assistants you will find in the market with expertise in different skills, backgrounds and experience. Some virtual assistants are good with financials, some with web design and some with technical expertise, the one thing common between all the virtual assistants is that all of them are proficient in performing administrative duties. You should be clear and precise about your needs from the virtual assistant and find out more about their expertise areas which will suit you best.
2. Virtual assistant groups
While looking for virtual assistants you should look into virtual assistant associations and the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce which has a directory of virtual assistants’ segregated state and country wise. This domain gives you a list of their skills and expertise areas. You can also go to few online staffing platforms like Elance.com, freelancer.com, Odesk.com and many more websites which has many virtual assistants listed under wide range of categories.
3. Distance
The availability of virtual assistants worldwide gives you a large domain to choose from. Due to the nature of virtual assistants working remotely on various projects there is not any hard and fast rule to hire a virtual assistant from the same country you operate from. A large number good of KPO and virtual assistants are available in India which is one of the hubs for this kind of work with excellent skills and expertise. The option to choose an offshore virtual assistant might also save you money depending on which Country you choose from and the currency exchange rate. No matter where you pick your virtual assistant from all that matters is the quality of work and efficiency delivered to you.
4. In sync with working styles
Due to the location of your virtual assistant elsewhere and not at your premises it is very important that you and your virtual assistant are in sync with each other on the work allotted. Also make sure that the virtual assistant is available during your working hours and make sure you and the virtual assistant is in touch by way of telephone, email, chat and video conferencing as well. Also make sure that the task you allotted is completed within your time requirements as the virtual assistant has many other clients to attend to as well. You can ask for regular feedback on the work you allot to him and try to check on the progress of the project you gave them
5. Right payment structure
Most of the virtual assistants charge on hourly basis and retainer basis. It is important that you work on your costing and budget first before you make a decision. You must decide how you want to pay the virtual assistant whether payment on completion of project or just an interim payment before they begin, 50% pay on completion of 50% work or any payment structure that suits you and the virtual assistant that you are hiring. Once you are sure about your payment structure you can look out for a virtual assistant who would agree to your terms and seal the deal.
There are many things which you will come across while hiring a virtual assistant but it is advisable that you follow these ground rules while you hire a virtual assistant.
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