As the way businesses operate has changed so much over the past few decades, the use of virtual assistants has skyrocketed. Rather than spending money on lavish headquarters and enormous staffs, many businesses are instead putting that money toward more adaptable working hours and schedules. The result is a more fluid and cutting-edge method of managing projects and teams.
What Exactly is a Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant (VA) is a special service that provides online office support to businesses. The phrase “virtual assistant” first appeared in the 1990s to reflect the growing phenomenon of remote work; with the advent of new technologies, people could access and share files and conduct business calls from anywhere, not just their desks.
Benefits of Virtual Assistants
Following are some of the top advantages of leveraging virtual assistants:
Reduce the Cost of Running the Business
With the help of virtual assistants such as the Virtual Assistant Phone Answering Services, you can cut operational costs without sacrificing quality. There’s a chance you can engage a freelance assistant as needed, rather than on a permanent or temporary basis.
Fast and Efficient
Taking notes or filing weekly or monthly expenditure reports are examples of tactical or repetitive work that virtual assistants commonly conduct. Time spent on them can be better spent focusing on other crucial matters, like arranging client meetings or generating leads. Delegating time-consuming chores to virtual assistants allows executives to concentrate on what matters.
Maximized Productivity
Leaders gain, and so do any team member who may be overwhelmed and needs extra help, whether on an as-needed basis or a more permanent one. For example, social media managers can better delegate tasks like writing, researching, and visual design to subordinates so they can focus on the final product and its dissemination.
Improved Workplace Health and Adaptability
The atmosphere of your business could undergo a sea change if you allow employees to work remotely. Allowing your staff the flexibility to work from home has been shown to affect their health positively. Think of the expectant mother who needs time away from the office or the digital native who chooses to work remotely. Although they are capable workers, the flexibility to work from home may increase their job happiness and allow them to meet their personal needs and goals better.
How to Hire the Best Virtual Assistant Services?
Here are some of the top tips to hire the right virtual assistant services for your unique needs:
Create a List of the Tasks that You Want to Outsource
Create an initial list of everything you want your VA to handle. For the actions, you often perform, write up some instructions (also known as SOPs). When employing a specialized virtual assistant, focus on the desired results rather than the processes you want them to follow.
Draft a Job Description
Once you’ve compiled a list of duties that need to be delegated, you can start crafting a job description for the person or people in charge of carrying them out. The duties of a General Virtual Assistant should not include any that require advanced knowledge or training. You should expect a General Virtual Assistant to charge you the same flat rate per hour for any assignment you provide them.
Include the following in the description of your duties:
- Introductory details about your company (what you do, whom you serve, and how you got started)
- Required knowledge, training, and/or experience.
- Tasks and Responsibilities Checklist
- To provide a rundown of the apps, tools, and software they will use.
Advertise the Position on the Internet
When the job description is complete, it can be posted online, and applications can be accepted. One possibility is putting up an ad on a website specifically designed for that purpose. The employment of a Virtual Assistant hiring service or directory is another choice.
Screening Applications and Arranging Interviews
Sort through the applications, and set up interviews with the top 5-10 applicants. Top applicants should be interviewed through video chat. If you can’t meet with someone in person for an interview, a video interview is the next best thing. During a video call, it’s easy to tell if you click with the other person and can converse well with them. A candidate who refuses to participate in a video interview raises red flags and shouldn’t be hired.
Testing the Candidates
Give your top three candidates a test assignment before deciding on a hire. Select a type of work that would fall within their purview of duties and evaluate their proficiency at it. Having them do a real-world activity lets you see which among your applicants is the best choice.
Allow the Top Applicants to Prove Themselves
Pick the most qualified individual for the role and give them a shot at it on the job (30, 60, or 90 days, for example). You can increase your Virtual Assistant’s motivation to succeed in their function with the promise of a permanent position on your team by giving them a trial term. Get them to sign a formal Service Agreement, so there are no misunderstandings.
Conclusion
Working with a Virtual Assistant is a great first step. One of a leader’s responsibilities is ensuring that employees continue to have positive experiences working for the company after they have been hired. If you’re serious about expanding your company, you should hire a Virtual Assistant as soon as possible. Hiring a Virtual Assistant allows you to devote more of your time to initiatives that significantly affect your life and work.
