(written by Mary Ann Villanueva Oppus as a test article required by an employer)
Though it may seem quite a tough job to select the best among the best, finding a virtual worker to assist you and make your life easier could be a bit challenging. It can’t certainly be done overnight considering lots of choices among applicants worldwide. Most applicants possess specific traits and work attitudes but it would take a serious selection process to shortlist your candidates.
These features are the most important among many other characteristics that one efficient Virtual Assistant should possess :
Timeliness
This is first and foremost in your selection criteria especially if your business requires timely delivery of output. Given consideration to manage time and apply a specific agreement on time frame, a virtual assistant should be primarily aware of the deadlines set by the management. Being punctual is the key to greater output and in cases wherein unavoidable circumstances occur, still, it is better to accept late delivery rather than zero output as long as your VA is aware that the delay in one task can affect other pending tasks since it will be a chain reaction.
Reliability
You can never discover how reliable your employee is until you test the waters. Give them a month’s probation, or two weeks perhaps to check if they really produce good output alongside the availability of the virtual worker anytime you need their services. Some virtual assistants are endorsed by reputable virtual staff recruitment agencies, so it would be great to consider that since they screen the applicants first before recommending them to you.
Ability to Communicate
There are indeed language barriers in some cases wherein the Virtual Assistant is not fluent enough to satisfy your expectations regarding communication. While some are good at writing English, you will discover that since English is not their native language, it would be tough to hear them speak the language in a neutral accent. Still, most will have regional accents but as long as the job does not require verbal tasks such as calling clients and the like, you can be assured that you can obtain a great working relationship with your assistant in terms of reliability to grasp your instructions well.
Keen on Details
Ensure efficiency of your Virtual assistant by giving appropriate instructions and monitoring the output delivered if it is well detailed per your expectations. Once a report is completed, you can determine if your worker is into detailed reports. A well-organized worker would produce great output clearly indicative of a superlative performer.
Responsible
Note that a responsible person would never avoid accepting accountability so whenever you choose a Virtual worker, always remember to be clear on the position description or the job requirements. Once the worker gets interviewed and signifies enthusiasm in accepting responsibilities, then you can be guaranteed that you are choosing a responsible worker who has conscientiousness at all times.
Accessibility
A reliable virtual worker should have initiative in finding ways to be accessible and reliable at all times during work hours. Reliable internet connection should be ensured and that in cases where in there isn’t any connection, it is the responsibility of the worker to touch base with the employer, letting them know about the situation. Make sure that you clear this out in your contract. The worker should be aware of their accountability in such cases specifically if the VA wouldn’t be available many times, say state a specific period of probation, and if the worker performs poorly by not being available for more than a week, then that’s clear indication of termination of contract.
Loyalty and Trustworthiness
Choose a virtual worker whom you can entrust your business totally. Obtaining loyalty from a VA would entail a certain amount of long term working relationship. As more training time passes by, your virtual assistant would be learning all the skills and secrets of your business so you can already determine the dedication and commitment of your worker if they stay with you for a long time. Whom to trust can be ascertained over the months of virtual work and be keen in observing their performance as well as their reliability.
Though it may seem quite a tough job to select the best among the best, finding a virtual worker to assist you and make your life easier could be a bit challenging. It can’t certainly be done overnight considering lots of choices among applicants worldwide. Most applicants possess specific traits and work attitudes but it would take a serious selection process to shortlist your candidates.
These features are the most important among many other characteristics that one efficient Virtual Assistant should possess :
Timeliness
This is first and foremost in your selection criteria especially if your business requires timely delivery of output. Given consideration to manage time and apply a specific agreement on time frame, a virtual assistant should be primarily aware of the deadlines set by the management. Being punctual is the key to greater output and in cases wherein unavoidable circumstances occur, still, it is better to accept late delivery rather than zero output as long as your VA is aware that the delay in one task can affect other pending tasks since it will be a chain reaction.
Reliability
You can never discover how reliable your employee is until you test the waters. Give them a month’s probation, or two weeks perhaps to check if they really produce good output alongside the availability of the virtual worker anytime you need their services. Some virtual assistants are endorsed by reputable virtual staff recruitment agencies, so it would be great to consider that since they screen the applicants first before recommending them to you.
Ability to Communicate
There are indeed language barriers in some cases wherein the Virtual Assistant is not fluent enough to satisfy your expectations regarding communication. While some are good at writing English, you will discover that since English is not their native language, it would be tough to hear them speak the language in a neutral accent. Still, most will have regional accents but as long as the job does not require verbal tasks such as calling clients and the like, you can be assured that you can obtain a great working relationship with your assistant in terms of reliability to grasp your instructions well.
Keen on Details
Ensure efficiency of your Virtual assistant by giving appropriate instructions and monitoring the output delivered if it is well detailed per your expectations. Once a report is completed, you can determine if your worker is into detailed reports. A well-organized worker would produce great output clearly indicative of a superlative performer.
Responsible
Note that a responsible person would never avoid accepting accountability so whenever you choose a Virtual worker, always remember to be clear on the position description or the job requirements. Once the worker gets interviewed and signifies enthusiasm in accepting responsibilities, then you can be guaranteed that you are choosing a responsible worker who has conscientiousness at all times.
Accessibility
A reliable virtual worker should have initiative in finding ways to be accessible and reliable at all times during work hours. Reliable internet connection should be ensured and that in cases where in there isn’t any connection, it is the responsibility of the worker to touch base with the employer, letting them know about the situation. Make sure that you clear this out in your contract. The worker should be aware of their accountability in such cases specifically if the VA wouldn’t be available many times, say state a specific period of probation, and if the worker performs poorly by not being available for more than a week, then that’s clear indication of termination of contract.
Loyalty and Trustworthiness
Choose a virtual worker whom you can entrust your business totally. Obtaining loyalty from a VA would entail a certain amount of long term working relationship. As more training time passes by, your virtual assistant would be learning all the skills and secrets of your business so you can already determine the dedication and commitment of your worker if they stay with you for a long time. Whom to trust can be ascertained over the months of virtual work and be keen in observing their performance as well as their reliability.