The Virtual Assistant (VA) field is growing in popularity, and many VA hopefuls are joining the ranks eager to run their own business or work from home. This is admirable, but before you hire a VA, you should make sure they have a lot of experience in administrative tasks. It has become an industry standard that a true VA professional will have at least five years of demonstrable experience as an office manager or administrative professional. This means high-level support, not an entry-level receptionist or limited-feature administrative assistant. The key is to find managerial and/or executive experience.

VAs are independent business owners, not employees. Think of them as experts in their field and expect the experience and knowledge that comes with what an expert would bring. A small business owner with experience in the field of supporting other businesses will be well aware of the challenges he faces and the opportunities that can help him achieve his goals. Management experience is essential as they are running their own business as well as supporting yours.

Some VAs will focus their work on client types, for example, real estate professionals or authors. Others will focus on the type of work they do, for example social media support or accounting. Still others will provide a wide variety of support and are capable of handling just about anything.

Regardless of their approach, a virtual assistant with the right amount of experience will understand all the nuances of supporting a small business professional. You will have had experience in billing and collection, document preparation, people management and, above all, technical training. They see the big picture and can handle situations effectively with little or no help or direction.

This person is likely to have a strong background, especially in the areas of Business Management, Communication, or Technology. They will understand the basics of business law, marketing and accounting. They don’t need to have a lot of experience in these areas, but they will understand concepts such as copyright and contracts, as well as accounts payable/receivable. They are able to communicate a basic understanding of these areas and can work and communicate effectively with other experts if the need arises.

An experienced VA will know their value and will easily quote their fees for the service. They will be honest about their expectations of you and how they work. They will keep the lines of communication open during a project and expect the same from their clients. Most importantly, they will know their own limits and won’t be afraid to say no to your requests or offer to refer you to a colleague who may be better suited to help you. This type of professionalism is developed through experience and training.

Don’t forget that the “virtual” part of the job means your VA must also be technically proficient. This person should already have all the necessary tools to support you and know how to use them. If you’re looking for a house painter, for example, you want to make sure they do quality work and are responsible before you let them loose in your kitchen. The same is true when looking to hire a VA. Ask to see work samples or a portfolio. If possible, ask to see “live” examples of their work, such as a website or a published magazine article. Your experience will be reflected both in the quality of your work and in the recommendations of others.