A virtual assistant is becoming an important job in the fast-expanding internet world. Most businesses built on-line are highly dependent on the skills of the virtual assistants running their company remotely. This kind of work environment should have a strong foundation built on mutual trust and high level of professionalism. But how can you choose the perfect virtual assistant to match your company’s needs? What are the qualities that you need to look for when hiring a good virtual assistant?

• Honest

This is one of the most important qualities to look for in a virtual assistant. Your VA will be in charge of many private and sensitive information relating to you and your company. It can be the company’s credit card or bank account number which can all be accessed with just a click of the mouse. So before hiring a VA, ask some questions that can demonstrate the applicant’s honesty. If possible, request for references and make some research on the applicant’s background.

• Has good communication skills

Working remotely has its own disadvantages. And one of these is poor communication. Having to work remotely means that all transactions are done via calls and emails. That is why having good communication skills is very important. Having good communication between the members of the team and the client is a major factor in creating an efficient and effective working environment. This can eliminate misunderstanding and redundancy that can delay the whole project. A VA does not need to be a native English speaker. But hiring someone with a good English writing and speaking ability is an advantage.

• Reliable

Hiring a reliable VA that will do simple tasks like answering emails and scheduling your bookings can save you tons of time. You do not need to do these simple tasks by yourself and this will also eliminate the stress of thinking if these simple but important tasks are done on time. A reliable VA will also give you a regular update on the status of their task so you know what is happening in your company.

• Can multi-task

Multi-tasking is one important quality a VA must possess. A VA is responsible for multiple jobs and should be able to cope with all the tasks given to her. Apart from multitasking, a VA should also be able to handle multiple projects and clients at a given time. This is where good time management comes in.

• Has good time management skills

A VA does not have only one job in her hands. She has different tasks that should be done in a day. These tasks are equally important so she should be able to manage her time wisely to be able to deliver on time.

• Dependable

A dependable VA does all her job without being told to. She should have the initiative to follow up on the duties that were given to her and report the progress regularly. Having a dependable VA  makes sure that all tasks are done on time and the project will flow smoothly.

• Resourceful

Not all projects run smoothly and perfectly. You need a resourceful VA to overcome any issues that may arise as you go along the project. A good VA is able to identify the problem and work out a solution. She should also be able to anticipate issues to avoid these things from happening.

• Keen on details

A detail-oriented VA shows her interest in the project. She is keen on understanding the whole project and makes herself involved in the whole process. This will eliminate simple mistakes caused by misinformation or lack of understanding of the job. A good VA will go the extra mile to make sure that every detail of the project is properly executed.

Finding a good VA is like finding a real gem. Virtual assistants may not have a face-to-face conversation with you every day but they are able to move the project forward. And when you find a good VA, make sure to keep them happy. Like what Sir Richard Branson said, “If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients”