How To Hire A Virtual Assistant
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Virtual Assistant hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
Virtual Assistant Recruitment Guide
What does a Virtual Assistant do?
A Virtual Assistant provides administrative support directly to a client while working remotely, normally at home. Support includes email management, calendar management, making phone calls, making flight and accommodation reservations, and preparing social media content.
Day to day tasks of a Virtual Assistant
- Create presentations or reports as requested.
- Answer emails from customers and external clients.
- Answer phone calls or make phone calls to customers.
- Set appointments; make travel arrangements or itineraries.
- Cold calls for lead generation.
- Encode information to a database or a system.
- Create social media content and post to the appropriate channel.
- Create a schedule for social media content planning.
Virtual Assistant definition
A Virtual Assistant’s primary responsibility is to provide administrative support to a direct client by doing it remotely. Because of this, they require a wide range of administrative skills as the tasks involved vary extensively, depending on the needs of the client.
HIRING PROCESS
Virtual Assistant Hiring Process
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a Virtual Assistant
A Virtual Assistant must be organized and a good multitasker. Because of the different administrative tasks involved, a Virtual Assistant must be able to manage several items and projects at a time. Also, a Virtual Assistant must be technologically-savvy as most of the tasks will be done online either through a software or an application since you will be working remotely from home.
- Motivation
- Communication
- Technology
Pro Tip
For entry-level roles, you may receive a large number of applications compared to a more senior position. Make sure to highlight the skills and qualifications needed for the role so that applicants will be able to measure if they are fit for the position. You can also provide details about the company’s goals and what it would take for the role to be successful in the whole organization.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Virtual Assistant job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Virtual Assistant job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, a Virtual Assistant must have experience in general administrative roles, but it would be nice to have Canva, Calendly, Asana, or Google Ads experience.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a Virtual Assistant
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Question 1
Communication
Question Type: Text
Explain how you can still communicate effectively with clients while working from home?
How will you build rapport with people that you haven’t necessarily met in person?
Question 2
Motivation
Question Type: Text
What are some habits you have adapted from within the workplace?
How have these habits improved your performance?
Question 3
Technology
Question Type: Video
Tell us about a time where you have had to learn to navigate several new technologies, quickly adapting and becoming proficient.
What Technologies were they and what were they used for?
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Virtual Assistant
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a Virtual Assistant?
The US average for a Virtual Assistant is $37,870 according to Glassdoor. Meanwhile, Payscale.com reports it at $43,965. The lowest reported salary is at $22,000, while the highest is at $114,000. Some companies or employers offer additional pay through commissions, incentives, and bonuses, depending on the nature of the business and the niche of the Virtual Assistant.
Virtual Assistant Salary United States
Virtual Assistants’ salaries in the United States range from $22,000 – $114,000. These salaries still vary depending on the years of experience, additional skills and expertise, and the location.
Source: Payscale.com; Glassdoor.com
Virtual Assistant Salary United Kingdom
Virtual Assistants’ salaries in the United Kingdom range from £13,000 – £52,000 (GBP). These salaries still vary depending on the years of experience, additional skills and expertise, and the location.
Source: Glassdoor.com; Talent.com
Virtual Assistant Salary Australia
Virtual Assistants’ salaries in Australia range from $30,000 – $85,000 (AUD). These salaries still vary depending on the years of experience, additional skills and expertise, and the location.
Source: Payscale.com; Glassdoor.com
