Ten Questions To Ask Yourself If You Are Outsourcing To The Right Virtual Assistant

Now that you have identified a need for a virtual assistant and realized the many benefits of having one, the next step is choosing the most suitable VA for your needs. By doing a little homework and asking yourself the right questions, you can save valuable time down the road.

	1. Can I easily communicate with my VA? One of the reasons you are hiring a VA is to save time. Having clear communication with your VA is one of the most important elements. Make sure your VA speaks the same language as you do to eliminate confusion and too many follow-up phone calls or emails. When using VA’s in countries like India and China, there are often gaps in communication because they have cultural or syntax differences. If English is your primary language, using VA’s in the Philippines and Eastern Europe works well because English is a second language for the majority of residents. In the Philippines for example, there are many catholic schools that use English as their primary language. Also identify the method of communication you prefer, i.e., phone, instant message, email, etc.
	2. What kind of education does my VA have? Making sure your VA has the level of education you expect is another key ingredient to finding the right VA for you. For example, if you’re looking for a graphic designer, make sure their degree is related to graphic arts and that they are not a physical education major or some other unrelated degree. Ask to see evidence of college degrees or related course work and/or training certificates. If your work requirements are related to websites, finding VA’s with degrees in computer science is a good idea.
	3. Does my VA have the right training for the job? In today’s fast paced electronic age things change rapidly. What was "hot" today may be extinct tomorrow. Make sure your VA is up to date with all the software programs you require for your project. It’s also a good idea to look for VA’s who receive continuous training to ensure they are "up to speed". Check out their profiles on their company website to help match their talents with your needs.
	4. Does my VA have the right tools for the job? Talk to your potential VA about the type of equipment he or she will be using. Ask what kind of computers and software programs they are running. Make sure they are using the proper systems to deliver the results you want.
	5. Is my VA reliable? Using an unreliable VA can cause more headaches than it’s worth. Be sure to ask your potential VA for references and samples of their previous work. For example, if you are looking for a VA to perform content writing, get writing samples from them to examine.
	6. Can I trust my VA? This is one of the most important aspects of hiring a VA. If you don’t trust them, why would you want them working for you? To protect your intellectual property, ask them about their confidentiality policy. Have them sign a non-disclosure agreement before beginning work on your project. Ask them if they subscribe to a Code of Ethics and ask for a copy. Find out what systems they have in place to track the hours they work for you to ensure you are getting what you pay for. It’s also a good idea to see if they belong to credible organizations such as the International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA), the Better Business Bureau and if they have a Dunn & Bradstreet number.
	7. What tasks can I expect my VA to be able to handle successfully? Proper communication with your potential VA works both ways. You need to outline specific details of your project to your VA so there is no miscommunication. The more specific details you can provide, the less "hand holding" you will have to do as your project progresses. If possible, send them samples of previous work to use as a template.
	8. Do You Need to Meet Deadlines? To maximize your productivity, it is essential for you to be specific with your VA on the deadline dates for your project. VA’s have many talents, but they are not mind readers. Be clear on your expectations from the beginning. Communicate very clearly your deadline dates and if things change, let them know as soon as possible so they can accommodate your request.
	9. Does my VA work independently or for a VA company? There is an important difference between VA’s who work out their bedroom and those that work for VA companies. Ask them where their office is located. If they are working out of their home or apartment, be skeptical. Va’s who work out of a traditional office environment with management supervision provide a great deal more accountability than those that don’t. VA’s who work for VA companies usually have more and better systems in place to protect the security of your intellectual property. Some innovative VA companies such as Virtualassistant.org offer live webcams so you can watch your VA at work on your project.
	10. How do I know how many hours my VA is working on my project? Once again, it’s safer to go with a VA who belongs to a virtual assistant company. They have time tracking software that logs the exact amount of time a VA spends on your particular assignment. If your project is long-term, they should send you weekly reports documenting the tasks accomplished and the exact time spent working on them. Never pay an invoice without proper time documentation.

If you follow these 10 steps, you will find the right VA to help perform needed tasks while freeing up your valuable time for more important things.