| The Virtual Assistant (VA) field is gaining in | | | | effectively with little to no assistance or direction. |
| popularity, and many would-be VAs are joining the | | | | This person will likely have a solid education, |
| ranks eager to run their own business or work | | | | especially in the fields of Business Management, |
| from home. This is admirable, but before you hire | | | | Communication or Technology. They will |
| a VA, you should make sure that they have | | | | understand the very basics of business law, |
| plenty of experience with administrative duties. It | | | | marketing and accounting. They do not need to |
| has become an industry standard that a true | | | | have extensive experience in these areas, but |
| professional VA will have at least five years of | | | | they will understand concepts such copyrights and |
| demonstrable experience as an office manager or | | | | contracts as well as accounts payable/receivable. |
| administrative professional. This means high-level | | | | They are capable of communicating a basic |
| support, not entry level receptionist or | | | | understanding of these areas and can work and |
| administrative assistant with limited duties. They | | | | communicate effectively with other experts if the |
| key is to finding management and/or executive | | | | need arises. |
| experience. | | | | An experienced VA will know his/her value and |
| VAs are independent business owners, not | | | | will easily quote their rates for service. They will |
| employees. Think of them as experts in their field | | | | be up front about their expectations of you and |
| and expect the experience and knowledge that | | | | how they work. They will keep the lines of |
| comes with what an expert would bring. An | | | | communication open during a project and expect |
| experienced small business owner in the field of | | | | the same from their clients. Most importantly, |
| supporting other businesses is going to be acutely | | | | they will know their own limits and are not afraid |
| aware of the challenges you face and | | | | to say no to your requests or offer to refer you |
| opportunities that will be able to help you achieve | | | | to a colleague who may be better suited to assist |
| your goals. The management experience is | | | | you. This type of professionalism is developed |
| essential as they are running their own business in | | | | through experience and training. |
| addition to supporting yours. | | | | Don't forget that the "Virtual" part of the job |
| Some VAs will focus their work on types of | | | | means that your VA should be technically |
| clients, e.g., real estate professionals or authors. | | | | proficient, too. This person should already have all |
| Other will focus on type of work they perform, | | | | of the tools necessary to support you and know |
| e.g., social media support or bookkeeping. Still | | | | how to use them. If you look for a house painter, |
| others will provide a wide variety of support and | | | | for example, you want to make sure that they |
| are capable of handling just about anything. | | | | do quality work and are responsible before you let |
| No matter their focus, a virtual assistant with the | | | | them loose in your kitchen. The same is true |
| right amount of experience will understand all of | | | | when looking to hire a VA. Ask to see work |
| the nuances of supporting a small business | | | | samples or a portfolio. If possible, ask to see "live" |
| professional. He/she will have had experience with | | | | examples of their work, such as a website or |
| billing and collections, document creation, people | | | | published article in a magazine. Their experience |
| management and especially technical training. They | | | | will show through in both the quality of their work |
| see the whole picture and can manage situations | | | | and recommendations from others. |