Virtual Assistant Interview Preparation Guide
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Virtual Assistant related Frequently Asked Questions by expert members with job experience as Virtual Assistant. These questions and answers will help you strengthen your technical skills, prepare for the new job interview and quickly revise your concepts

36 Virtual Assistant Questions and Answers:

1 :: Tell me what are your special skills working as a virtual assistant?

Over the years, I have gained expertise in handling bookkeeping duties, online research, database management and data entry, calendar management and call handling duties. Additionally, I am well-versed in responding to support tickets and providing online troubleshooting advice.

2 :: Tell me what are your working hours?

Knowing the best times and days you can contact your VA is essential to your business. As such, you should get the VA’s working hours and compare them to your requirements. And if you’re going to hire someone located on the other side of the world, be mindful of the time difference.

3 :: Tell me do you have references I can contact?

While there are virtual assistants who have reviews and testimonials you can read on their blogs or website, it is still important to contact the applicant’s previous clients who can vouch for his professionalism so you can validate his claims. If there is any sign of hesitation on the applicant’s end when you ask this question, you might want to think twice before hiring that person.

4 :: Please explain what timezone are you in and what hours are you available?

Because virtual assistants may be based anywhere in the world, it’s important to make sure you’re able to communicate. If you’re based in New York and your virtual assistant is in India, for instance, they may be almost 10 hours ahead of you. What matters is that you clearly establish their availability and your needs so that you can tell whether it’s a good match.

5 :: Tell us what methods do you prefer for communication?

This question is about making sure your work styles are aligned. Are you tied to your email all day? Or do you prefer to text while on the go? Do you like talking face-to-face over Skype or Google Hangouts? The ideal candidate will be comfortable communicating with you through the channels you use most naturally.

6 :: Tell me what do you do when a client has trouble articulating their needs?

A good virtual assistant should be able to pick up on your needs and be perceptive enough to identify the source of a problem. This comes from understanding both you and your business. Asking questions to better understand the problems you’re facing is a good sign.

7 :: Tell me how long have you worked as a Virtual Assistant?

Immediately you can gage the experience this VA has. Have they set up their own VA business rather than simply freelancing? If so, they will understand your needs not only from an assistant’s perspective, but from a business point of view as well.

8 :: Tell me how many clients do you have?

The reason for asking this is just to ensure that they have enough time for you. The last thing you want is to find a fantastic VA who has 20 other clients without any support and is therefore difficult to get meet your deadlines.

9 :: Tell me what is your hourly rate?

To make sure it’s not outside of your budget! If there is a pricing structure, make sure it’s clear so you know what you’ll be getting billed each week / month.

10 :: Please explain a time you proactively addressed a client’s need?

This question is pretty open ended and good answers will vary depending on your business needs and the candidate’s specialties. Great examples include identifying and streamlining inefficient processes to cut down on meetings, or identifying more cost-effective vendors for particular goods or services. The best candidates won’t just solve problems when you assign them; they’ll be constantly looking for ways to streamline and improve your workflow to help you save time and money if possible.