Finding Your Perfect Match: Why Personality Fit Matters When Hiring a VA
When it comes to hiring a Virtual Assistant, technical skills and experience are undoubtedly important. However, there's another crucial factor that can make or break your working relationship: personality fit.
Beyond the CV
The most qualified VA on paper isn't necessarily the right one for you. A truly effective working relationship requires someone who intuitively understands your working style, communication preferences, and (perhaps most importantly) what causes you stress and how to alleviate it.
Understanding Your Pressure Points
A great VA doesn't just complete tasks; they anticipate challenges before they arise. This requires them to understand:
What makes you stressed? Perhaps it's tight deadlines, cluttered inboxes, or handling certain types of clients. A VA who recognises these triggers can proactively manage situations to reduce your anxiety.
What overwhelms you? Maybe it's technology issues, scheduling conflicts, or data management. The right VA will step in precisely when these challenges appear, offering solutions rather than adding to your mental load.
What helps you think clearly? Some entrepreneurs need meticulously organised information, while others prefer visual representations. Your ideal VA adapts to your cognitive style rather than forcing you to adapt to theirs.
The Chemistry Test
Before committing to a VA, consider having a chemistry call. This isn't just about discussing skills but exploring scenarios that might arise in your working relationship:
"How would you handle it if I sent an urgent request outside working hours?"
"What would you do if you received conflicting instructions from me?"
"How do you prefer to receive feedback?"
The answers will reveal valuable insights into their working style and emotional intelligence.
Trust Your Instincts
Ultimately, you'll be sharing sensitive information and delegating important tasks to your VA. If something feels off during your initial interactions, pay attention to that feeling. The right VA should make you feel supported, understood, and confident that they have your best interests at heart.
At The Temp PA, we prioritise personality matching as much as skill compatibility. We understand that the most successful professional relationships come from a deeper level of understanding; one that goes beyond ticking boxes on a job description.
Remember, a VA isn't just another service provider; they're an extension of you and your business. Choose someone who truly gets you, and you'll wonder how you ever managed without them.
