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The Top Ten Questions to ask a VA on an Interview

 

So you�re thinking of hiring a VA (Virtual Assistant)?  You�ve heard so much about them from other entrepreneurs, but you�ve been running your business so long by yourself!  You�re used to long hours.  You�re used to tagging your spouse for help�.and they�re always so willing, right?  

 

VAs don�t require much from you in order to create great success for your company.  You don�t need space in your office because they have their own office.  You don�t need to buy computer equipment; they have their own.  You don�t have to keep them busy for forty hours a week, only the hours you need.  There is no need for you to to pay payroll taxes.  You two just �click� in your relationship:  someone�s got your back.  You can focus on growing your business. 

 

You laugh with your VA to ease the stress.  In a collaborative relationship with you, your VA is your growth partner and staffing solution, impacting your profitability through managing administrative services.  She can provide exceptional execution of these projects -  accurately, on time, well designed, confidentially so that you grow in your trust and learn to rely on her capabilities.

And with due deference, there are some male VAs, but they are in the minority.

 

So here is a list of the top ten questions you can use when you take that stately step that will move your business into it�s next wonderful dimension for success.

 

1.  What education or experience prepared you to become a VA?

 

Virtual Assistants come in many degrees of experience, talent, skills and abilities. The premier training for Virtual Assistants is offered at www.AssistU.com .  A VA�s corporate position(s) or self-employment background is also evidence of theri capability of performance.  Many VA�s belong to VA organizations like Assist U, IVAA, IAVOA and learn a great deal about the VA industry from belonging to these associations and the other VA's whom they network with. 

 

 

2.  How do you rate your technological knowledge for doing business virtually?

 

The Cluetrain Manifesto states that the Internet is spawning �new perspectives, new tools, and a new kind of intellectual bravery more comfortable with risk than with regulation. The result is not just new things learned but a vastly enhanced ability to learn things. And the pace of this learning is accelerating.� You�ll want to know how your VA fits into this environment.

 

 

3.  What communication style do you have:  professional, laid back, or direct?

 

There are so many ways to assess styles of plain old �being� and communicating that being. Understanding both your style and your VA�s style will enhance your productivity. The Internet provides so many resources for examining styles and here are some you might consider...

 

http://agelesslearner.com/assess/learningstyle.html

http://www.4temperaments.com/assessment/survey.html

http://www.discreports.com/overview.html

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

 

 

4.  What guarantee do you offer for your work and for maintaining confidentiality?

 

Wouldn�t you like to know that you could go to your VA with  full assurance that any humanness that might find it�s way into the work done for you would be unquestioningly and immediately be fixed for free?  Many VAs offer 100% satisfaction guarantee.  And as for confidentiality:  does she lock materials up?  Who else can see your data on her desk?  Is she shredding old versions? Does she have a privacy policy? What are her company ethics?

 

 

5.  How many years of experience do you have as a VA?

 

Assist U.com recommends that a VA charge from $35 to $100 per hour.  Obviously, the years of experience as a VA plays a role in determining this rate, as does years of corporate experience.  And from my experience, I can see that the estimation of self-worth also enters into this picture.  So, how confident do you want your VA to be and are you ready to afford her?

 

 

6.  What kinds of things can you do for (name YOUR profession)?

Many VAs have specialty niches.  Mine is helping entrepreneurs create an initial plan, a strategy for moving their businesses forward and then helping them to implement that plan through the development of processes for their business.  Some VAs are bookkeeping experts and sprinkle Quick Books on their Cheerios in the morning.  Maybe the VA you need most can tell you exactly the types of things she can do for you the attorney, the coach, the CPA, or (name YOUR profession.)

 

 

7.  Do you consider your VA practice successful now?  References?

 

It�s a good idea to chat with business people who are already working with the individual that you are considering being your VA.  I don�t think I have to nudge you with ideas about pertinent things you should ask about their relationship with the VA and the quality of her work.  You know!!!

 

 

8.  Here are 3 personal goals and 3 professional goals.  What would you do to get them accomplished in the next 60 to 90 days?

 

3 Personal Goals	3 Professional Goals

 

This is my sneaky trick to get you to clear the decks for your VA to jump right in there and perform like a mustang first ride out of the chute.  And come on now, admit it:  Wouldn�t you just love to get those six goals off your Pending To-Do List where they�ve lived for� how long now ?

 

9.  Do you have xx number of hours available in a month for my work?

 

VAs who are AssistU.com graduates generally have a two-tiered pricing structure.  One hourly rate is for by-the-hour pay-as-you-go work.  A second rate is for those entrepreneurs who know they can use the VA on a retainer basis for 12 hours each month, and then the rate is reduced slightly.  You should think about this:  can I use a VA for 12 hours per month every month going into the future and get the lower Retainer rate, or is 12 hours just too much for me right now?

 

 

10.  Here are ten things I�ve been putting off:  How can you help me get them done?

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Let yourself fall into a moment of joy.  Hire a VA and have someone in your life who wants to help you drive your business to the next level of success; who likes listening to you talk about the details of your business; who finds it uplifting to her life to support yours.