Having worked with four fantastic VAs from the Philippines, I can attest to their value. We’ve had our share of trial and error in finding the optimal ways to use them, and I’m excited to share some tips from my experience. While automation and AI tools are on the rise, there’s still something invaluable about the human touch and discerning eye of a VA.
Why Virtual Assistants?
In recruitment, perfectionism can sometimes hinder progress. Striving for flawless results might mean missing out on opportunities or wasting time on tasks that could be handled more efficiently. Here’s where VAs come into play. They’re a great way to free up your time, allowing you to focus on higher-value tasks.
Here’s How We Use Our VAs:
- Email Management: We receive a flood of emails from clients, candidates, and providers. Our VAs sort these, flagging urgent ones and filing away less critical messages. They’re also adept at responding to emails, especially if they’re well-versed in identifying good candidates.
- Database Management: After interviews, instead of spending time entering details into our database, I send the notes to my VA. They handle the data entry and categorisation, saving me precious time.
- Database Searches: Our VAs conduct searches on Seek, Indeed, and other platforms for potential candidates. They compile lists of promising profiles for me to review, and add the rest to our Bullhorn database.
- LinkedIn Projects: For new roles, especially those in unfamiliar areas, I work with my VA to build LinkedIn projects. I perform the initial search and set criteria, then my VA narrows down the list, which I refine further.
- Job Identification: VAs trawl job boards and LinkedIn to identify new client opportunities. They also handle the outreach with template emails, introducing our services.
- Onboarding New Staff: During our current hiring phase, VAs assist with onboarding tasks like setting up IT systems, email accounts, and necessary licences.
- Ad Management: While I prefer writing ads myself to ensure they match the role’s specifics, I delegate the uploading and scheduling to my VAs. They manage the placement on our website and job boards.
- Content Ideas: Our VAs help generate ideas for recruitment-related content by monitoring trends and themes. They provide valuable topic suggestions for posts, making content creation less of a chore.
Final Thoughts
The key to working effectively with a VA is setting realistic expectations. Aim for around 80% completion on tasks. While VAs may not capture every nuance, their assistance is invaluable in managing routine tasks and creating time for high-impact work.
If you’re lucky enough to find a great VA, they’re worth their weight in gold. I hope these tips help you integrate VAs into your recruitment process.
Have a fantastic day, and may all your deals come true.
