The Interview Process – Getting to Know Each Other

Am I committed to you; your goals, your business? How much do I charge? Do I have a retainer rate? What are your expectations? Are you interested in long-term relationship? Is there a 'fit'?

These questions, and more, may come up in one of our interviews. I have two interviews with potential clients, and that's because ... education and experience are great teachers :)  That goes both ways, obviously. It's also because I'm a business owner too, and I want to know as much about you as you do about me. Because I'm interested in a collaborative partnership, and a long-term one, it is just as important to me to know there's a good 'fit' as I'm sure it is to you.

Assuming we've gotten to the point where we're interested in finding out more about one another, here's a look at how I envision our interviews unfolding…

I'm a good listener, so I'm going to want to hear about you and your business! What are your passions? Why are you in the business you're in? Do you have a list of the most important, most critical things you need to get done right now? In short, I'll want to understand what you do, why you do it, a little about you personally, and most definitely, where you want to go with your business. I'm a VA because I want to help my clients.

Not necessarily as a 'next' step in the interview–because conversations often develop a life of their own–I'll want to tell you more about myself. Ask away! My input is likely to include information about my background (it includes corporate administration and teaching, by the way), why I became a VA, how I run my practice (hours, rates, expectations) and more. In building and expanding my business, I am looking for ideal clients.

Our first interview should be of the mutual, let's-get-to-know-each-other variety. Will you join me in that goal? Of course, we should cover all the vitals, to see if it looks like we're a good fit. If it does, I'd really appreciate that second telephone interview with you. In the second interview (and/or subsequent interviews if we feel its necessary), I'd like to take an in depth look at your business, your work style, your expectations, and so on. I hope you'll want to do the same with me. I'm a candid and open person, so I'll try to address any questions or concerns you have. It's here that follow-ups to our first interview should be covered, and it's here that any issues arising for either of us should be squarely and fully addressed.

If we discover that we're not an ideal match, I'll be thankful for your time and will wish you well in finding the perfect VA for your business. In fact, if you want me to, I'll try to connect you with another potential VA, or with a service that can help you locate one. If in the final analysis you discover that you don't really need a VA, but perhaps need a contract person or a temporary employee, I'll try to point you in the right direction.

If everything goes wonderfully for us, it will be time to get the ball rolling!

I will send you my Welcome Kit, and ask you to acknowledge that by signing and returning to me my Policies & Procedures document. I'll also be asking you for more information about yourself–things like your full contact information, travel preferences, critical To Do list, etc.–so when we start working together I can hit the pavement running!

One final note, and this is important to me. I cannot begin working with a client until an interview process (like the one described above) has been accomplished, and until s/he has signed and returned my Policies & Procedures document.

So that's it: that's the interview process as I see it. I'm looking forward to speaking to you!