Provider vetting
Vetting checklist for virtual assistant services
A good VA provider asks about your work before selling hours. Use this checklist to spot fit, risk, and vague promises.
Write the job in plain words
List the tools, task volume, hours, and the decisions the assistant cannot make.
Ask for role examples
A good provider can explain similar work, training steps, and common failure points.
Run a small paid test
Use 3 to 5 real tasks. Check accuracy, speed, notes, and when they ask for help.
Score the first week
Review missed items, customer impact, response time, and whether the handoff got easier.
Questions to copy into your call notes
- Who screens the assistant and what do you test?
- Who trains the assistant on our tools and examples?
- What happens if the assistant is sick, quits, or is not a fit?
- How are passwords, customer data, refunds, and approvals handled?
- Can we start with a small pilot before adding more hours?
- What reports or scorecards do we see each week?
What good answers sound like
Good answers are specific. The provider names the role, tools, training steps, backup plan, and quality check. Weak answers sound like “we can do anything” without examples.
Ask for a small paid test when the role touches customers, money, passwords, or private records.
Ready for a plan?
Map the role before you hire.
Share the work, tools, schedule, and quality needs. Get a practical staffing scope back.
Request staffing plan