The executive assistant is the first point of contact for the schedule, communication and knowing where everything is in the office; however, with the advancements in technology, much of what they do can be accomplished from anywhere. This means that when you need to fill an assistant position it may be worth thinking outside the ‘traditional’ and considering a more ‘virtual’ option.
What are the qualities you want in a professional administrative assistant?
They need to be experienced in this type of work, be able to communicate effectively in any format, multi-task with organization so they can handle a variety of functions, work well under a deadline and be reliable in their work schedule. These characteristics are exactly what the best service provides when you hire a virtual assistant who is not physically located in your office but meets all these requirements and more. While education is important, the ability to multi-task phones, emails and schedules at the same time is a more appreciated skill for this position and one of the things to look for in the process.
There are several benefits to using this type of service including reduction in overhead costs, lower payout as they are a contracted employee instead of company-employed and the flexibility to hire the best because you are not limited by geography. The online virtual executive assistant is able to do everything that this position demands from their own home with a computer, phone line and the right skillset. Leaders will find that their calendars are kept up-to-date, meetings are booked in advance with travel arrangements made and communicated in plenty of time and electronic documentation is completed and organized so that everything they need to meet with a client is exactly where it should be at the right time.
Virtual assistants can communicate with clients over the phone to answer questions, take messages or research information online as well as order necessary supplies for an office they aren’t even in present physically. The process to hire a virtual assistant starts with finding a reliable online agency that specializes in this service, providing the qualifications you want in the assistant and then participating in the interview process based on the candidates they provide. The options are only filled with the very best to consider so it is just a matter of finding the right fit as the ‘boss’ and assistant typically work closely together on projects and day-to-day tasks.
When you use the list of qualifications above as a starting point then it is difficult to get someone who is not absolutely excellent at what they do which in turn makes your job easier and the business a better place to work. Think about all the things an assistant needs to do and then remember that you need someone with the background, talent and skill to make this virtual arrangement work for everyone involved. Partner with the top employee agency in the industry and see how hiring ‘virtual’ not only raises the standards for your company but also saves you money on the bottom-line budget.