Be Sure Your Virtual Assistant Has These Qualities Before Teaming Up

You’ve decided that you need a virtual assistant to step in and handle some of the tasks that are weighing you down. However, you’re a Type A personality and you have a hard time letting other people handle the projects that you are used to doing yourself.

I get it! I am that same Type A personality. So, to help you in your journey of finding the best VA to do the job, here are a few characteristics that you should be looking for:

A VA should have excellent communication and organizational skills – Of course you expect your virtual assistant to be organized, but they should also have great communication skills, follow up with you regularly, and guide you when working on projects. Being organized or good at communication isn’t uncommon, but finding someone who is great at both can be a huge relief. You know that you can count on them to plan ahead, manage risks, and communicate effectively.

They will be thoughtful about what you need to know – A great project manager will be able to differentiate between which communication is important and which is irrelevant. They will tailor their communication based on the needs of the person they are dealing with.

They will know when to hold back and when to jump in – If there is a problem that comes up it is often tempting to sound the alarm and jump in, but one thing that a VA should be good at is catching a crisis early and averting it, or knowing when to step back and let things work themselves out.

They should observe and re-evaluate priorities often – A good VA will be excellent at focusing and prioritizing tasks. They will re-evaluate projects often and prioritize them as needed to make their work, and consequently yours, more efficient.

They are good listeners and ask questions – A good VA will not just go through the motions. They should care about your opinion and communicate clearly with you. They should also be self-aware and know how their communication is received by those they are working with.

They should be excellent problem solvers – In the perfect world, all projects would work out the way they were intended to and there would be no hiccups along the way. However, life is rarely that straightforward. A good project manager will embrace and overcome these challenges in order to move a project forward without causing any unnecessary delays.

They should have integrity – A great VA will always take into consideration the knowledge that they possess by working with their client. They should show commitment to their clients and demonstrate ethical practices.

They know what collaboration is – This trait should exist in every virtual assistant and is fundamental to the work at hand. You will be working with your VA as a team and will be collaborating on a variety of projects.

They should be patient and positive – Talent isn’t the only thing that a virtual assistant should have to be successful. For long-term success they also need to be patient and have a positive attitude. They need to set effective guidelines without being burdensome or domineering. You will also want a VA that is even-tempered and patient or it will be hard to stay productive as a team.

They will look forward to ongoing work – A successful VA believes that project management is a career and not just a job. They treat their work as such and are constantly seeking education and training that will benefit them and their clients. They look forward to working with repeat clients and the benefits that both the client and VA will have in a long-term working relationship.

When you decide it is time to hire a project manager, take into consideration the above tips, and don’t be afraid to ask your potential assistant plenty of questions before you hire them. They will welcome the open and honest communication from the start.