THIS IS HOW YOU FIND A “ROCKSTAR” VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

I have been receiving messages in my inbox that sounds almost like this one...

“I need help!!! I’m a CEO, Founder of a start-up and I have a lot in the pipeline. I am on my FIFTH executive assistant and cannot find a good one for the life of me. Besides doing the usual (emails, phones, etc.) I need someone who can just handle s*#%. I don’t feel like the work I assign is that hard, but I have yet to find someone that can just own a project and not need a ton of hand holding. Even when I feel like I give them a lot of help, they still mess it up and it just makes my job harder. It’s hard to know what someone is really capable of based on their resume. Do you have some advice or tips on how to find a good virtual assistant?”

If this is your problem too, read on because I will be dropping some valuable tips that can help you find the Virtual Assistant of your dreams.

SET YOUR EXPECTATIONS

When looking for a virtual assistant, you must remember that they will be your business partner and not merely an employee.

A competent VA will need minimum supervision thus, they will free up your time so you can concentrate on things that really matter. Like scaling your business or even starting a new one!

Having said that, you must consider these things when planning on your budget. To give you an idea, ask yourself how much is your time worth? Because that time is what a great VA gives back to you.

FORGET THE RESUME

Nowadays, resumes doesn’t really mean much anymore. In fact, companies like Zapier no longer ask for resumes from their applicants.

Instead, you must have an efficient interview process. Use a case study to see how they will handle a typical problem or project you have.

You can also ask where they see themselves in 1 and 5 years. That tells a lot, and you could see if they are aligned to your vision.

In this way, you can observe how they think, work and operate with you. Testing their mindset is more important than the things you can see on their resumes.

Remember that you are looking for someone who will work with you and not for you. So look for a person who already has an established experience and excellent work ethic.

DEFINE THE TASKS YOU NEED

If you want to find the perfect virtual assistant, you have to make sure that you are clear with the tasks you want to outsource.

What exactly are you looking for a virtual assistant to do? Is it more general like document management, travel arrangements, email management?

Or do you need a VA who can also handle marketing, social media management, and other tasks along those lines?

There are so many different kinds of VAs that you have to be very clear what you are looking for, and need to be very particular in your selection process.

Finally, when you’re able to find The One, make sure that you treat them well. Everyone wants to feel empowered and working toward a goal.

Make sure that you involve them in the process and assign time to meet with them to discuss workload and their personal goals.

Remember, communication, follow up and feedback. Having a VA is highly specific and subjective to each business owner. The nature of this position requires an intimate understanding of you as a whole including communication style, preferences, immediate family, colleagues, etc.

It’s building a relationship with a business partner who lets you do your thing. Once you are able to accommodate that, you will surely get the type of VA you’ve been looking for.