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How To Vet A Virtual Assistant Company: 9 Signs Of A Good One
Websites all promise vetted talent. These nine signals show which providers actually have a process, and which are reselling job-board profiles.
By
Hire A Virtual Assistant Team
3 Minute Read
Key Takeaways
A real process has steps you can see.
Transparent pricing beats a sales call.
Client references should be easy to get.
Turnover and replacement data tell the truth.
Nine Signs Worth Checking
They describe their screening steps in detail, with named tests.
They tell you who employs the assistant without being asked twice.
Pricing is published or given in one number on the first call.
They offer client references without hesitation.
They can tell you their average placement length.
The contract has a clear replacement or guarantee clause.
They ask you hard questions about the role before pitching.
Their assistants' hours and holidays are stated up front.
They are willing to lose the deal if the fit is wrong.
Red Flags
Pressure to sign on the first call.
Vague answers about who the assistant works for.
No way to speak with a client.
Stock photos and stock claims about “top 1% talent” with no method behind them.
Use The Directory As A Starting Point
Our company profiles describe each provider's model, region, and pricing approach. Start there, shortlist three, and run these checks on each.
A Fifteen-Minute Vetting Call
Open with your role scorecard and ask how they would fill it. Then ask the nine questions in order. Note whether the answers are specific. Close by asking for two client references and the contract in writing. A provider that cannot deliver all three within a few days is telling you how they will operate later.
What The Directory Can And Cannot Tell You
Our company profiles describe each provider's model, region, and pricing approach from public information. They cannot tell you how a provider behaves when a hire goes wrong. That comes from client references and from the replacement clause in the contract.
What This Looks Like In Practice
An owner asks two providers for their English assessment method. One describes a live conversation scored on a rubric. The other says candidates “have great English.” The first one gets the follow-up call.
A Quick Checklist Before You Start
Screening steps confirmed in writing.
Employment model understood.
One client reference contacted.
Contract clauses on replacement read.
Questions Owners Ask
Are reviews on the company's site useful?
Only as a starting point. Ask for a reference you can contact.
Does a bigger company mean a safer choice?
Not always. Large providers suit teams; small agencies often give more attention to a single hire.
Written by
Hire A Virtual Assistant Team
Editorial Team
Practical guides on hiring, managing, and working with remote virtual assistants.
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