When you find the perfect virtual assistant who can handle everything you throw at her (or him), that is someone you don’t want to let go of. However, before you make the decision to seek out someone, there are a few things you should consider first.

What do you need them to do?

Before you go out looking for someone, you need to know what you will be delegating to them first. While you are looking for a VA, you will quickly find that each one has a different skill set. If you don’t know what you want them to do, you will be unable to decide on who you should choose.

Can you afford someone?

The best VA for the job might not be the most affordable choice, just as the most affordable one might not be the right person for you. You will need to decide on what you want from them and what you can afford to pay before you start looking.

If cost is not a problem, you’ll want to pay close attention to what each candidate has to offer. Compare their skills to what you need. The more experience they have, the less time you will have to spend training them on the tasks they will handle.

Unfortunately cost is a problem for many mompreneurs, especially as the recession rages on. If this is the case for you, all hope is not lost. What you don’t spend in money, though, will have to be spent in time. You can save yourself some money by hiring a less experienced (but willing to learn) VA and teaching them how to handle the many tasks you’re asking them to perform. You will not be able to get them up and running from day 1, but within a month you should have a fresh new VA enabled and ready to go with all the information you have given them.

Will they be a good fit?

Just because they have the necessary knowledge or experience does not mean they will fit to your needs. If this is a problem you are afraid of encountering, bring them in for a trial period. If things work out, then good for you. If they don’t, this will give you the opportunity to find a new VA with minimal hurt feelings. Just make sure you are honest about this trial period up front. Let the potential VA know that you just want the best for the both of you. Remember that your VA is also running a business of their own working for clients like you, they will appreciate your honesty. They might even be able to guide you in the right direction to someone who is more suited for your needs.

Interview them!

This is important. They might not be your employee but it is still important for you to learn a little bit about them before you start paying them to handle tasks for you. For instance, you’ll probably want to know how long they have been working as a VA or about the experience they have in the specific areas you are looking for. Since it is not likely that they are located in the same town as you, consider conducting a phone interview to get a grasp on them and their personality. Do they sound friendly?

If the person you are considering claims to have years of experience in a specific area of interest, don’t be afraid to ask for references. Furthermore, you should call the references they give you and make sure they are legit. Don’t forget to ask about the hours they will be available, what time zone they are located in (you don’t want to accidentally call them at midnight, do you?), and if they have the equipment that is required to complete the tasks they will be handling.

It might seem daunting at first but hiring a VA is a relatively painless task, if done right. Once you’ve decided on who you’d like to hire and they’ve gotten started, you’ll quickly find that you have more time for those things that are important to you. It will also give you the opportunity to spend more time on the growth of your business.

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