10 Interview Questions to Ask a Potential Virtual Assistant

As our business grows, we need to be able to adapt and take on more tasks which often means putting in a lot more hours. Let’s face it though, we can’t do EVERYTHING.

What if we could clone ourselves? Well, we could - if we were to find a Virtual Assistant that has the same qualities that we possess.

What’s the best way to do this? Make the most of the interview with a potential Virtual Assistant.

To help you out, here are 10 questions to ask to get to know them better:

1. Tell me something about yourself that is not work-related.

Interviews are nerve-wracking and we all want to avoid the awkward silence. This is a great way to break the ice.

It’s important to find qualities that matter to you in your Virtual Assistant. You’re allowing them into your business and that’s HUGE.

2. When you’re away from your desk, what do you enjoy doing?

This question is a subtle way to get to know their personal goals and priorities.

3. What tasks do you prefer or enjoy doing?

Here you’ll get to know if their skill set fits what you need. If they’re open to broadening their skillset and you already see yourself working with them, you can determine what tasks you could expose them to.

4. What mode of communication do you prefer?

This will give you an idea of how you will communicate with them in the future. Communication with a remote worker is extremely important, so finding platforms that suit both of you is a must.

5. Do you have a preferred schedule or restrictions?

This is extremely important if the potential Virtual Assistant is in a different time zone to you. Get to know their working hours to be clear on how far in advance you need to assign deadlines.

6. What do you think are your core skills and services?

By this time, you should have a clear idea of the type of Virtual Assistant you need and what tasks you’d like off your hands. This question helps you identify if they match the job description.

7. If you got stuck on a task I’ve asked you to complete, what would you do?

Although a standard operating procedure is great to have on hand, this question will allow you to determine the Virtual Assistant’s problem-solving skills.

8. If I assigned a task to you and you didn’t understand what I asked of you, what would you do?

Accountability and honesty are what we all look for in people we’re inviting into our business. This is a great question to ask to see if they’ll be able to try to interpret your description of the task and admit that they’re stuck.

9. What would you do if you realised you’re not going to reach the deadlines I’ve given you?

A deadline is a deadline, and without it, the Virtual Assistant has no guide on the urgency of it. You need to know that they will be able to meet your deadlines or admit that the workload is too tight to meet them.

10. Tell me a story of a time you spoke up and contradicted a client/manager/boss?

A Virtual Assistant can be way more than someone easing your to-do list. Essentially, you would like them to treat your business as their own and sometimes a suggestion or two is welcome. This will help you know if they’ll be brave enough to let you in on their bright ideas.

If you’ve got an interview lined up, well done to you! You’re on a path that can greatly benefit you and your business.