How to Find Virtual Assistants You Can Trust

Jan 22, 2024

Are you worried about hiring a VA and having them let you down or mishandle your confidential information? Don't fret! In this video, I'm going to show you the steps to find a VA you can trust. So, let's dive right in.

Start Small for Long-term Success

When it comes to hiring VAs, it might be tempting to hire someone highly skilled right away and delegate all your tasks, hoping for instant time freedom. But the smartest approach is to begin with entry-level virtual assistants. These are individuals you can hire for around $6 to $8 per hour, primarily for administrative tasks.

The goal here is not to strike gold with a super-talented VA at a low price but to find what I like to call your "generalist" or "Swiss army knife." These are individuals who may not have extensive expertise in a particular area but are quick learners with great attention to detail.

For instance, when I hired my first VA, we started with just five hours a month. He began by setting up client folders in Google Drive, a task that I used to do myself. Over time, we automated this process and gradually shifted his focus to more complex tasks.

Training and Onboarding: The Key to Success

Successful collaboration with VAs involves thorough training and onboarding. I recommend a 30-90 day onboarding and training period, with the aim of progressing from competency to proficiency to mastery in their assigned area.

When creating this onboarding timeline, consider giving them an initial project that's relatively easy to handle. The idea is to build their confidence while gradually delegating more complex tasks.

Trust: Give It to Get It

Now, let's address the question of trust. Should you give trust from the start or wait for it to be earned? I firmly believe it's a mix of both, but starting with trust is crucial. Micromanaging and withholding trust can create a negative environment that hinders your VA's performance.

I've been on teams where I felt untrusted, and it significantly impacted my performance. To get the best out of your VA, start by trusting them. While you should begin with smaller tasks, make sure you convey a tone of confidence in their abilities.

As they prove their reliability and competence, gradually assign them more sensitive projects and information. It's not blind trust, but it's leading with trust and allowing it to grow based on their performance.

Focusing on Recurring Tasks

To enhance your VA's trustworthiness, minimize the number of one-off projects you assign. Instead, focus on recurring tasks and projects. These can include managing your inbox, handling social media, paid ads, customer support, or bookkeeping. By training your VA to handle these tasks consistently, you'll gain more freedom over time.

Where to Find Trustworthy VAs

Lastly, you might wonder where to find trustworthy VAs. It's not about finding a magical job board but rather about qualifying candidates effectively. Look for attention to detail and core values that align with your business.

Create a challenge for applicants before interviews to assess their attention to detail, and during interviews, evaluate whether they align with your values. It's about identifying the top 1 percent of candidates from a large pool.

In conclusion, while there's a time for hiring specialized VAs, starting with a generalist who can assist with administrative tasks across your business is a smart move. Remember, it's not about attracting the perfect candidate with a job posting; it's about qualifying candidates effectively.