Before you outsource or hire a specialist, you need to ensure they are the right person for the job. The same goes for when you need a virtual assistant. You should ask a couple of questions to determine if you found the right professional for your projects and tasks.
As a business manager, you know how valuable your time is, and you don’t want to spend it on projects that don’t require your expertise or attention. A virtual assistant holding the right skills can efficiently complete them. Whether you’re hiring someone for customer service or social media management, you need to ensure you’re hiring the right individual.
This article lists a couple of questions you should ask during the interview to narrow down the selection.
What are your most valuable skills and qualities?
This question helps you know them better because it covers a wide range of things, from their qualifications to their experience and work ethic, and even their attitude to work. So, make time to discuss with the candidates and understand what skills and qualities they find most valuable for their job. You need to hire the one that best fits your business.
What protection and security do you have in place?
Security and protection are vital for any company operating in the present context when cyber threats lurk at every step. You need to check if they have indemnity insurance and a system to protect the information you give them. Also, you need to ensure they know and follow the GDPR and are willing to sign a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement.
Do you complete the tasks yourself or do you outsource the job?
Depending on what task you hire them to perform, some virtual assistants may not perform them themselves but work with others. Often virtual assistants are just companies specialized in providing a wide range of services, and the representative you discuss with only connects you with the right specialist. You need to determine if you’re hiring the right person, and speaking with them can help you find them.
What communication protocols do you have in place?
Communication isn’t just about replying to your messages and phone calls, but also about what communication means they prefer. You want to hire a virtual assistant UK based that uses the same communication methods you prefer. Most virtual assistants have a preferred method of staying in touch with their collaborators and informing them about their work’s progress.
How do you charge for your work?
Virtual assistants can charge in different ways, from hourly rates to package prices and project prices. Depending on the type of collaboration you’re looking for, they can choose the best method. So, find out what their preference is and decide if you pay them in advance or when the work is completed.
Your time is valuable, and you need to ensure that you’re not wasting it with employees you don’t have the right skills to complete the tasks. The above questions can help you narrow down the list of candidates.
