It’s your turn to be the interviewer.
You’ve screened the resumes and cover letters of applicants and selected who you believe might be good candidates. Questions to ask are critical to help you evaluate the interviewees and ultimately who you will hire as your Virtual Assistant (VA). Keep in mind yours and the interviewee’s time for a screening interview is generally a half hour. This usually allows 7-8 questions to ask, typed in advance with copies to each interviewer. Have a copy of the job description as you develop appropriate questions, especially those in which you ask, “Give me an example of ….” Here are some questions you may include and aids to help you evaluate answers, but slant or modify your questions to your essential tasks and desired qualifications for your Virtual Assistant position.
7 Interview questions for a Virtual Assistant
- Why are you the best qualified? What makes you unique as a Virtual Assistant?
Variations of “Tell me about yourself.” You are listening for skills and abilities that best match the job description and the work to be performed as your Virtual Assistant
- Give me an example of your being adaptable and flexible.
Evaluate time management, relevance to transferable skills and traits in being your VA. (If you are looking for a full-time Virtual Assistant)
- What are your computer skills? Name the applications are you proficient using? How would you go about learning new software, especially database and spreadsheet applications?
Obviously, you are determining computer skills, especially experience and proficiency with applications you would like your VA to know, you don’t want them learning with your project. Besides word processing, does his/her experience include accounting, database and/or spreadsheet software? (again be specific to the tasks you want them to complete.
- Are you a team player or an independent, take-charge person? Give an example that supports this. (looking for how they would handle informing you if they could deliver or complete the tasks.)
You want an independent worker who is also a team player, one who knows what is expected, accomplishing tasks effectively within a time frame. This is interrelated with time management, question 2 above, leadership and self-management abilities.
- Do you prefer multitasking or doing one thing at a time? If you had several tasks to do, how would you prioritize them? Give 1-2 examples.
This is how well he/she selects, prioritizes and organizes his/her workload. If you have evaluated these skills and abilities and have examples in prior answers, then move on to the next question.
- If you have a difference of opinion with me as the boss or supervisor, how would you manage it?
How will the person handle or resolve conflicts? Will he/she acquiesce and go along with the boss’s viewpoint, or express “why” or “how come” in a non-argumentative, diplomatic way his/her opinion?
- What questions do you have regarding this private practice and the position?
If the interviewee has thought about the tasks, he/she should ask 2-3 questions that makes you believe he/she is serious, well qualified, and anxious and ready to start the project.
With a little time to complete a detailed job description, a good interview, seeing past work and calling references you should be able to find a VA that will meet your needs and make running your practice easier while allowing you the time to free up your schedule.
Felice Pope, MA, MS started a specialized, private business as an Environmental Biologist and writer of biological resources sections of environmental impact reports. Moonlighting as a college professor, she transitioned into counseling and earned a second master’s degree. With over 15 years experience as a Career Counselor at public universities, she recently was asked by two non-profit organizations to be a job developer and employment coordinator and has developed a Job Club for her clientele. She also has a Free Guide To Interviewing Success available for download. To contact her, you can email her @ therapyccs@gmail.com
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