Because “Do you like dogs?” is lovely, but not quite enough.
So, you’ve finally decided to stop doing everything yourself – hooray!
You’re ready to hire a virtual assistant, take admin off your plate, and buy back hours of your week.
However, before you dive in, let’s talk about something important: asking the right questions.
Because the difference between “hmm, this isn’t quite working” and “how did I live without this person?!” comes down to a few simple but smart checks.
Whether you hire a Virtual Assistant or are exploring other options, here’s what to ask before you hit “send” on that onboarding form.
❓ 1. What kind of support do you actually need?
Be honest. Is it:
🧹 Inbox chaos?
📅 Calendar mayhem?
📈 Visibility and AI help?
🧾 Invoicing backlog?
Getting clear on what you don’t want to do anymore helps you find someone who actually does it well.
A good VA won’t offer everything. They’ll offer what they’re brilliant at.
Like me: I’m not your social media strategist, but I’m a whiz at admin, automation and showing you how AI can make life easier.
🧠 2. What tools and systems do you use?
You don’t need to know how to use them but your VA should!
Ask:
💻 What inbox/calendar/finance tools do you use daily?
🛠 Are you comfortable learning new ones?
🤖 Do you use AI or automation to speed things up?
If they’re allergic to tech, that’s fine, but probably not ideal if your goal is making life simpler.
🕒 3. What are your working hours?
Especially if you want a UK-based VA, check for:
🕙 Timezone compatibility
⏰ Typical response times
🧩 Availability for urgent requests
You want someone whose work rhythm fits with yours and doesn’t leave you chasing updates at 9pm.
📄 4. What does your onboarding process look like?
A great VA should have:
✅ A clear plan
🧭 An onboarding form or questionnaire
📁 Secure ways to share logins and info
💬 A proper welcome chat (not just “send me stuff”)
This tells you they’re organised and your stuff is in safe hands.
💬 5. How do you communicate with clients?
Voice notes? Email? Project tools? Smoke signals?
Ask:
📣 How often will we check in?
📆 Do you offer regular updates or reports?
📬 What if I need something urgently?
You want someone who matches your communication style and won’t disappear into the admin abyss.
💸 6. How is pricing structured?
Avoid awkwardness later by asking up front and letting them know what suits you:
💷 Is it hourly, retainer, or fixed packages?
🗓 Is there a minimum commitment?
🧾 How does invoicing work?
Bonus points if they offer easy ways to pause, scale, or adapt your support.
🧍♀️ 7. What makes you different?
This one’s less about ticking boxes and more about vibes.
Why do they do what they do? What kind of clients do they love?
Ask:
💁♀️ Why did you become a VA?
📌 What types of businesses do you usually work with?
🧠 What’s your favourite task to take off someone’s plate?
You’re not just hiring hands, you’re hiring a brain, a voice, and a partner in chaos-taming.
Make sure it feels right.