Virtual assistant services and remote jobs are now easily accessible. When employers go online, they can search and find several outsourcing companies that offer professional remote support. Companies can now connect with skilled individuals without thinking about geographical limitations. However, despite the access to a wider talent pool, the availability of hundreds of choices can leave business owners feeling overwhelmed.
This article can help employers understand the process of finding a remote employee, the basic factors to consider, and the red flags to watch out for to avoid fraud online.
7 Steps To Finding The Best Remote Worker
1. Document the tasks you want to outsource
Employers should begin the employment process by making a list of all the tasks they plan to delegate to the virtual assistant. Additionally, business owners should determine whether they intend to hire a full-time or a part-time member. Before reaching out to candidates, employers are expected to have created a list of required capacities, determined an appropriate assessment exam, and constructed a compensation plan. These important details will be included in the next step.
To give employers an idea, here are some of the common qualifications that a dedicated virtual assistant applicant should possess:
- Administrative experience
- Knowledge in performing tasks like data entry, lead generation, fielding phone calls, and email management
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Basic understanding of business administration, and marketing
- Experience in front-desk or personal assistant roles like booking travel arrangements, and supporting a manager seamlessly attending all their appointments
- Bachelor’s degree related to the role
2. Create a job description
According to a human resource company based in England, after determining what the company is looking for, the next step is to make a formal document of communication with job seekers. Any employer interested in hiring remote workers should create a job description.
Experts said this includes information like company details and a brief discussion of work culture. Moreover, employers should also convey the profile of an ideal candidate. If the group uses a project management tool or other software, it should also be mentioned in the job overview.
This is an important step in the hiring process because interested parties can determine for themselves if they are qualified for the position. In doing this step, employers can also save time in filtering under-qualified or over-qualified candidates.
3. Post your job specification online
After creating an overview, employers can now post an employment ad online. Companies seeking to hire a remote worker or a virtual assistant can eliminate the traditional way of putting job ads in printed materials. Advertising an employment ad online aligns with the environment of remote workers and will reach the proper target audience.
If you would like to take this step to another level, you may connect with an outsourcing company with a proven track record of providing successful workforce solutions. Agencies can aid you in advertising the position in the proper channels.
4. Review applications
The employment ad will eventually draw in applicants. When that happens, the next step of the VA assistant hiring process is to review applications. Employers should expect that not all candidates are potential hires. After identifying qualified applicants, employers should narrow down the list to five to ten individuals.
5. Schedule interviews
Technology provided ways to conduct interviews even without meeting in person. With the availability of video conferencing tools, employers can still get to know applicants even if the involved parties live in different time zones.
After employers have identified the candidates they are interested in onboarding, they should schedule a virtual interview. During the interview, employers may prompt questions or points for dialogue like:
- Discuss administrative tasks and personal tasks they can accomplish as a virtual assistant
- How do they handle pressure at work? Can they manage multiple clients or simultaneously perform various tasks?
- Do they have experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and other remote work management tools utilized for daily operations?
- Can they provide support to other company departments like IT and Marketing?
- Identify specific skills that set them apart from other applicants
6. Select top candidates and perform skills assessment
Labor experts believe employers should explore the capacities of applicants through a skills-based assessment or exam. After narrowing down to two to three candidates, employers should provide them with a task to complete. The choice of the review task would be something sensible like daily activities if they were to get the job. This way, employers can determine the top candidate.
7. Identify the best person for the job and put them on a trial period
The last step to hiring a virtual assistant is to place the selected applicant on a trial period of approximately 30 to 90 days. According to an online post, during the trial period, employers are allowed to see how the new hire gets on in the virtual assistant role. On the other hand, a trial period also provides the successful candidate a chance to see if your company is the right fit for them.
Virtual Assistant: Hiring Benefits & Challenges
Engaging with remote workers is similar to the traditional way of onboarding onsite employees. The process of onboarding a new addition to the company requires a thorough background checking and assessment of talents. Beyond the similarities, the two work environments also have benefits and challenges exclusive to the specific arrangement.
If your office is acquainted only with employing in-person workers, the following discussion will give you an understanding of the benefits and challenges of employing remote workers.
Advantages Of Employing Virtual Assistants
Save time From Tedious tasks
An experienced virtual assistant can handle a mountain-load of administrative and repetitive tasks. Big companies and startup businesses usually hire virtual assistants to handle routine duties. This way, executives can focus on building key relationships for business growth.
Some examples of tasks that can be delegated to a virtual assistant are data entry, social media management, calendar management, digital marketing, administrative work, and other tasks.
Boost Work Efficiency
Helping boost work efficiency is another one of the many benefits of a virtual assistant.
As mentioned, virtual assistance services can help employers manage time-consuming tasks like scheduling meetings and answering phone calls. Virtual assistants generally help businesses with non-core tasks yet are still vital in running day-to-day operations. When executives and department heads are freed from admin tasks, they can shift their focus to more important activities.
Reduce Operation Cost
A significant difference between virtual assistants and in-person employees is the work arrangement. Virtual assistant jobs are accomplished remotely, and sometimes even at a different timezone from their employer.
Because VAs work offsite, hiring a virtual assistant reduces operational costs because they do not require office space. Employers can save money on electricity, cleaning services, other utility bills, and government-mandated employee benefits.
A qualified virtual assistant can provide inexpensive yet invaluable services similar to an onsite full-time employee, according to an online post.
Gain Access To Specialized Skills and Services
Traditionally, companies are geographically limited when engaging skilled individuals. The rise of remote work opportunities has opened access for employers to hire qualified candidates from anywhere in the world.
One of the biggest advantages of remote work is its power to become the equalizer in business, talent acquisition, and employee experience, according to Forbes. Businesses are no longer delimited in their recruiting efforts to candidates located within commuting distance of their offices. As a result, companies can now engage with potential new hires based on their skills and talents regardless of their home address.
When looking for a virtual assistant, employers should consider qualifications like organizational skills, writing skills, experience in providing administrative support, web research mastery, and other specific capabilities depending on the exact needs of your enterprise.
Healthier Work Environment, Avoid Work Burnout
Business operations can benefit from the positive disposition and enhanced emotional well-being of employees. An employee assigned with just enough workload, and given proper time to rest and enjoy their personal life maintains a healthy mind and body. A healthy work-life balance promotes productivity, according to a report.
Onsite workers and employers can all attain an improved work-life balance and prevent burnout by employing a virtual assistant. The VA can take responsibility for basic tasks and ease some time off of other employees who have bigger roles.
Improved Customer Service
Hiring a virtual assistant can help enhance the customer service of any industry.
When the staff of your company is only located in one area, coping with global needs and different time zones can take time and effort. To address the problem, business owners have now started employing virtual assistants from different regions and countries to provide 24/7 customer assistance to their clients.
Your business can continue to operate at your desired time. Moreover, the social media accounts of your company can be updated even when you are not in the office when you hire a virtual assistant with exceptional capabilities. With their specialized services and advanced communication tools, virtual assistants offer smart work solutions.
Challenges Of Employing Virtual Assistants
- Different timezones
- Language barriers
- Internet connectivity issues
- Management of asynchronous communication
Schedule An Appointment With Remote Raven, The Best Workforce Solutions Company
Are you looking for a skilled virtual research assistant?
If you need a virtual assistant who can work remotely, contact Remote Raven now.
Remote Raven is an outsourcing-offshoring company. We provide workforce solutions for businesses in various industries. The company has highly-trained Talent Acquisition Specialists who can search for qualified candidates with aptitudes that will match your specific needs.
Remote Raven exclusively works with talented Filipino individuals. Virtual workers from the Philippines bring a lot ofadvantages for any organization because they have modest salary expectations, are tech-savvy and detail-oriented, and possess exceptional English proficiency. Moreover, Filipino work ethics are compatible with Western culture.
If you are looking for a virtual assistant, Remote Raven can connect you with a talented one. From creating a job overview to hiring and onboarding, Remote Raven will help you and your firm handle the process of finding the best remote employee. The agency will select qualified candidates and aid you in choosing the applicant who can bring the most value to your enterprise.
Schedule an appointment with Remote Raven now to start the process of finding the best virtual assistant for your company! You can ask all your virtual assistant faqs during the initial consultation. Remote Raven will explain the procedures, help you better understand remote employee compensation rates, expound on basic remote work policies, and discuss several other topics that come up when it is the first time hiring a remote employee. If you want to avoid being overwhelmed by the undertaking of onboarding a virtual worker from a foreign country, reach out to the best workforce solutions company–Remote Raven.
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