5 TIPS FOR HIRING ROCKSTAR VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS
Over the past few years, we’ve been deeply involved with overseas Virtual Assistants and have gained extensive insights. This guide is your key to avoiding the same pitfalls we encountered, ensuring a smoother journey in your quest for a Virtual Assistant and the path to financial freedom.
The last thing you want to do is spend several weeks looking for a VA, several weeks training them and then have the situation not work out. The guide below will help increase the probability of you working with your VA for years to come.
Finding a great Virtual Assistant is simple. So just remember as you read this guide, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) and please don’t overcomplicate this process.
FAST INTERNET AND STABLE POWER
A significant number of the Virtual Assistants applying to your job listings reside in rural locations. Consequently, they often contend with sluggish internet connections and frequent power interruptions. To steer clear of this problem, consider selecting candidates from major metropolitan areas. While power outages can still occur in cities, they are notably less frequent. A Virtual Assistant who is committed to their profession will typically have contingency plans in place for both internet and power backup. When making hiring decisions, prioritize individuals with high-speed internet access and the ability to switch to backup internet and power sources. If a candidate does not meet these requirements, kindly move on to the next applicant.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS SETS THE STAGE!
Pay close attention to HOW individuals apply for your job positions. The most exemplary conduct you can expect from your Virtual Assistant will typically manifest during the interview phase. If they fail to surpass your expectations during the application and interview stages, it's advisable to continue your search. Some of my fundamental non-negotiables comprise punctual attendance at the interview, accommodating your scheduling needs, adhering to the instructions provided in your job posting, and arriving at the interview fully prepared with a solid grasp of the job's particulars, working hours, and compensation. These are fundamental expectations.
LOOK FOR TENURE IN PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Many people that apply to your jobs have been bouncing around from job to job. When looking at their resume, if you notice they have only stayed in the previous positions for 2-4 months, strongly consider passing unless they have a great story. My BEST hires have been people that were in their previous positions for 3-6 years!
DON'T FOCUS TOO CLOSELY ON PAST EXPERIENCE
I've learned this lesson the hard way through multiple experiences before it finally sank in. Consider this scenario: you're interviewing two candidates for a position. The first candidate boasts extensive VA experience but displays indifference toward the role. On the other hand, the second candidate lacks virtual work experience but radiates enthusiasm and gratitude for the opportunity. Who do you believe has a higher likelihood of becoming an outstanding employee? It's the second candidate! One of my top-performing VAs today had absolutely no virtual work experience initially, but her enthusiasm for the role was so palpable that I couldn't resist giving her a chance. Fast forward four years, and I am thrilled with that decision as she now leads a team of ten.
GET A VIDEO INTRODUCTION
One highly effective strategy I employ when hiring VAs is to request a video introduction from candidates before scheduling an interview. This video introduction can provide valuable insights into the candidate and streamline the hiring process, saving you the back-and-forth emails typically needed to arrange interviews and the actual interview itself. When a candidate contacts you regarding your job posting, consider asking them to create a video introduction. In this video, they should specify the date and time of the recording, mention the job title, outline their prior experience, explain their motivation for applying, and detail why they believe they are an excellent fit for the position. Especially when dealing with a high volume of applicants, say 100 or more, this approach can save you countless hours of your valuable time.
Find me a Virtual Assistant $999
If you find yourself in need of further assistance with the virtual assistant hiring process and would like our team to conduct interviews with hundreds of applicants on your behalf, guiding you through the entire process, and ultimately presenting you with a curated list of the top 5 candidates from our extensive evaluations, please complete the form. Our team will then promptly reach out to you.