When you decide to hire a VA, before signing on the dotted line, it’s wise to put a limit on your initial time working together, much like a probationary period. As with any working relationship that’s new, both parties need time to assess if things are going the way they intended.
In the beginning, you’re excited at the prospect of working with your first VA. But don’t let that excitement cloud your assessment of the work. Yes, even if you get on like a house on fire! Having a good rapport is really great, but never forget you’ve hired someone to work for you and so you should expect them to perform accordingly and to be professional at all times.
Now, if you’ve done your due diligence in the hiring process and outlined your expectations and communicate effectively, you’ve got a good, solid footing. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with making the job fun and light. After all, we spend so much time at work, it should be uplifting, especially when we’re free to do what we love because we have someone in our corner taking care of details that drive us up the wall, right?!
So what’s a good rule of thumb for seeing how things go? Well, you could give it a month but I recommend three. Why? Well, in the first month, your VA is just trying to get up to speed on your business as they start diving into tasks. However, you’ll also get a good sense of how they work/communicate in the first two or three weeks, so if red flags are going to fly, they’ll start taking flight then. Remember though, for anyone taking on a new job, it takes at least three months to really get tuned in and comfortable.
Watch that your VA is organized, meets deadlines, and is pro-active in their approach. If you get all that plus a great rapport, you and your business will be stronger for it!
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