How to Find Virtual Assistant: 3 Things to Mull Over

How to Find Virtual Assistant: 3 Things to Mull Over

When you go to the office and see the bunch of to-do lists on your desk, you finally realize that you’ve had enough of this Superman syndrome.

Too many calls, too many emails, too many customers waiting for support, too many marketing campaigns to run; there are just too many things to do with your little time.

You need help, fast — introducing, virtual assistant.

Who is a virtual assistant?

The jack-of-all-trades, a virtual assistant is the best resolution to your daily operation mess. These are remote workers who can help you juggle the repetitive mundane tasks that you’ve been dreading about.

And the best thing about them? They’re very cheap to hire, not to mention highly efficient — the perfect combo for your fledgling startup.

So, how to find virtual assistant? How can you start working with one? We’ll tell you all about it in this blog, so keep on reading.

How Do You Know if You Need a Virtual Assistant: The Signs

Right now, you might be thinking, “Oh, do I really have to hire a virtual assistant?”

We know it’s hard to make that commitment, especially when you’ve been so used to the idea of working alone. Also, this is your first time outsourcing — what do you know?

It’s tough. That’s why we’re going to help you decide the perfect time to hire a virtual assistant with these signs that you have to be wary about.

  • You’re constantly working late hours.

    You’re working over 60 hours a week, sometimes including the weekends. And you’re going to have to do it again for the next few weeks, and then the weeks after that.

    It’s obvious, the little tasks are breaking your productive spirit.

    When you’re no longer being “the boss,” but rather a slave to your company’s time-consuming daily minutia, you know it’s time to hire a virtual assistant.

  • You’re dreading the work.

    Let’s be honest, there are some daily tasks that are too painful to work on.

    If these activities are sucking the life out of you, then by all means, delegate them to a virtual assistant.

    Forcing yourself to complete tasks you hate will only pull your productivity and your business down.

  • You’re missing opportunities.

    Remember the time when you failed to close a lucrative partnership because you missed an appointment? You didn’t only miss a meeting there, but you also lost potential revenue.

    You can’t afford to keep doing this, not when you’re working so hard to take your business to the next level.

    Find virtual assistant right now!

How Do You Get a Virtual Assistant?

It’s settled — you need a VA, and you’re finally committed to finding one.

The problem is that you don’t know where to start.

Fret not, we have gathered simple guidelines to jumpstart your VA search.

  • How Do I Find a Trustworthy Virtual Assistant?

    Virtual assistants are typically tasked to handle the general administrative chores of your company from a remote location with a round-the-clock service.

    Since you’re entrusting your daily operational tasks to these offshore workers, it’s only right to be meticulous when onboarding them.

    Here’s what your hiring process should look like to find virtual assistant that you wish to join your team.

Defining the Position

Before you get on hiring a VA, you have to clear several things first and answer these questions.

  • Do you need to hire a full-time or a part-time worker? What type of employment does this position require?
  • What is more cost-effective for your business? Paying per hour, per project or a monthly contract?

    These compensation plans have specific advantages depending on what type of position you’re offering and what task you need to complete.

  • What are the skill requirements for this position? Is it more beneficial for you to work with someone who has general administrative experience? Or do you need a VA with specific management skills?

Where to Find Virtual Assistant

Now that you have the position requirements down to a tee, your next move is to find virtual assistant.

To begin your hunt for the right VA, you can work on your network of referrals. Typically, the people you know who come with recommendations recognize what exactly you’re looking for.

Post on social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Then, create a specific job posting that identifies with the position you’re offering; the task and what sort of company you run. The more precise you are with your requirements, the better the referrals are.

But if this does not work, you still have two other options.

  • Freelance Marketplaces

    Perhaps, the best part about freelance marketplaces is the many selections that are available to you when choosing a VA.

    You can post your tasks on popular freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr and then the contractors will make a pitch for the position, complete with rates and other vital information.

    While freelance marketplaces offer a wide array of qualified candidates, you have to sift through a number of low-level applications yourself which will take time. The fees are also another issue to consider because there might be better rates elsewhere.

  • Virtual Assistant Agencies

    These are online agencies that will help you find virtual assistant. This means you don’t have to go looking for it yourself and waste time screening applicants.

    Here’s how it works:

    A virtual assistant agency like VAV ASIA will match your employment requirements to their pool of talents, so you can find the VA who fits your needs.

    It works like a recruiting firm, but with you paying the agency.

Carefully Selecting Your Candidate

You found your candidates, great! It’s time to test that collaboration synergy.

For this, we advise that you do a face-to-face interview or video meeting. This is really helpful in assessing whether your virtual assistant aligns with your business goals and company values so you know what to expect.

Take for instance VAV, an experienced placement agency, this is their common modus operandi, carefully selecting talents before the start of every collaboration.

During the interview, they will help anticipate what this VA can bring to your business table. And at the same time, communicate your principles and intentions, and see if they resonate with them.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Virtual Assistant?

Actually, the rates of a virtual assistant are highly dependent on three key factors namely; the work, skills and experience and the location.

Think about it this way, the money that you pay a VA is what you’re getting from them. If you’re looking for an English-speaking virtual assistant with specializations, you will have to pay more.

It also comes with experience, , if you hire someone with less experience, they will charge less. The opposite happens when you onboard a VA with advanced knowledge.

Then there's the issue of work urgency, short-notice projects are more expensive and may need serious skills that will add up to the cost.

For VAV ASIA though, our rate starts at $700 AUD or 16000 THB per month for a service of 4 hours per day from Monday to Friday, including the provision of a virtual assistant.

Find Virtual Assistant: What to Keep in Mind

Hiring your first virtual assistant? You really have little idea what to expect.

So, to get the most out of that outsourcing experience, here are a few things you should mull over.

  • The Speed

    Some people work faster while others need some time to get going. So, someone who charges over $25/hour is perhaps more efficient than someone who’s only pitching for $10/hour.

  • Experience

    Experience matters! In fact, it can define the quality of work.

    Extensive experience might be pricey, but it also means no costly error for you to redo.

  • Social Proof

    At times, you need to listen to what people are saying because half the time it’s mostly true.

    When hiring a VA, social proof is something to examine. Look at the client testimonials and references of your virtual assistant, and hear what glowing reviews or lack thereof, they have for your remote worker.

Work Your Way to the Top with a Virtual Assistant!

Yes, it does take a village to grow your business to the next level, but it only takes a virtual assistant to end your mental and physical pain brought on by multitasking.

And although choosing to work with a virtual assistant is a big decision, it’s a commitment that will pay off in spades, for sure.

So, as long as you stay true to our hiring process advice and do research, you’re on your way to success.

Find your virtual assistant today!

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