“Working with a virtual assistant can be one of the smartest business decisions a person can make,” explains Katie Gutierrez, President of Assistant Match. “Companies get necessary support without committing resources for a full-time employee. Since virtual assistants telecommute from their home offices, they save businesses the cost of office space and equipment. They work only as many hours as needed, and it is possible to work with the person best suited to the needs of the company, rather than being limited to the local applicant pool.”

To identify a great virtual assistant, here are three steps to follow.
1. Only consider candidates who have the unique skills, experience, availability, and work style specific to the needs.
2. Eliminate candidates who do not follow directions, keep track of details, or communicate in a clear and timely manner, even if they have a great personality.
3. Talk with past clients about their experience with the candidate, and conduct a background check if she will work with confidential or financial information.