Common VA Interview Questions (plus answers to boost your chances of getting hired!)

This question is an opportunity to demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job and to highlight your unique skills and experience. When answering this question, be sure to focus on strengths that are relevant to the role of a virtual assistant. Whatever strengths you choose to highlight, back them up with specific examples. 

Example: My greatest strengths as a VA are that I can listen, empathize, and organize my tasks well. In my previous position, I did well in delivering the client’s needs by being attentive to the gaps I saw and heard in the daily business operation. This also helped me as I resolved any conflicts that arose. Lastly, I can meet deadlines and deliver quality work by prioritizing numerous tasks as a remote worker.

This is one of the most common VA interview questions, and it is important to be prepared to answer it. Your work ethic is the set of values and principles that guide your behavior at work. It includes things like integrity, accountability, dedication, and excellence. If you are asked this question in an interview, consider what makes you proud of your work ethic. Doing so will demonstrate to the interviewer that you are dedicated to your job and committed to excellence.

Example:  My attitude towards work is to be completely reliable and consistent. I find satisfaction in my job when I know my manager and team members can depend on me to deliver. More so, I feel better that I can do it daily. 

To answer this question effectively, it’s important to highlight your ability to stay organized and self-motivated. You might want to discuss your experience working remotely in the past and how you were able to overcome any challenges. Additionally, it’s helpful to have a few specific examples of how you stay productive when working from home. For instance, you might say that you create a daily to-do list and make sure to stick to it or that you take breaks every few hours to avoid burnout. By showing that you’re aware of the challenges of working remotely, you’ll easily answer one of the common VA interview questions. 

Example: To ensure that I am highly productive, I set a daily routine for myself. Perhaps, I will start by checking my email and messages to check if there are any urgent meetings or tasks I need to accomplish for the day. Afterward, I list all my tasks and label each from highest priority to least priority. Doing this allows me to monitor my progress as I check off each item from my list. Lastly, I do not forget to take my breaks. Resting in between will help me renew my energy so I can work efficiently throughout the day.

It is important to remember that the interviewer is not asking for a list of your accomplishments. Nor for a detailed description of each project you have worked on. Instead, they are looking for a snapshot of your work style and how you interact with others. When preparing your answer, think about when you had to manage a project or task from start to finish. These guide questions can help you in knocking off the list of common VA interview questions: 

• What was the most challenging part of the process? 
• How did you overcome any obstacles? 
• What would you do differently if you had to do it again? 

Example: In my experience as a remote worker, I make sure that I make an effort to collaborate with my team members even though we are not physically together. When we undertook a company-wide project, I took the initiative to message my co-workers to set a meeting. During that meeting, I informed them of my ideas for the project and welcomed their ideas. Afterward, we used Notion, our company’s choice of collaboration software, to monitor each other’s progress. Through consistent communication, we could finish the project on time.

While you may be unable to list every software program your potential employer uses, it’s important to have at least a basic understanding of the most common programs. However, even if you’re not familiar with the specific software programs used by your potential employer, you can still highlight your willingness to learn new things and adapt to new environments. 

Example: I am adept in using Google Workspace and all applications included under it. Meanwhile, as a medical biller, I had previously used Curogram. Lastly, I am certain I will learn any software necessary to perform this position.   

When interviewers ask VA applicants, “What will you do when a client doesn’t communicate their requests well?” they want to assess your communication skills and ability to handle difficult clients. To answer this question effectively, you should take a step back and analyze the situation. 

Example: First, I believe that communication will always be the key. As a virtual assistant, I will use my communication skills to ask leading questions until we arrive at a clear and specific task. Also, I will couple this technique with proper research about the client, his business, and the industry so I can acquire a perspective to help him articulate his needs. 

Any self-respecting Virtual Assistant knows that a laptop crash is one of the most severe disruptions to a workflow. This type of common VA interview questions seeks to evaluate two key qualities in a candidate: their ability to stay calm in a crisis and their resourcefulness in finding solutions. The first step in handling any problem is to remain calm. 

Example: If my laptop crashed while I was working, my initial action would be communicating it with my boss. Afterward, I will reboot my laptop and try to get it back online. Meanwhile, I will proceed to use my backup device to comply with the work for the day. I consider the cybersecurity measures necessary to keep company files secure. 

As the demand for VAs continues to grow, so does job competition. When interviewing for a VA position, you will likely be asked how you stand out from other candidates.

There are several ways to answer this question:

1. Highlight your unique skills and experience. For example, if you have a background in customer service or project management, be sure to mention that. You can also emphasize your strong work ethic and dedication to meeting deadlines.
2. Highlight any relevant certifications or training you have completed.
3. Remember to emphasize your commitment to high-quality work and excellent customer service. 

Example: What makes me stand out among other virtual medical assistant applicants are my communication skills, experience in the medical field, and previous experience as a remote worker. I am a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. After I graduated, I worked in hospitals as a ward nurse, then transitioned to working online as a virtual assistant for doctors with Telemedicine practice. I am confident that I can take on this job well as I have previously done in my previous positions. 

As common VA interview questions go, “Why are you leaving your current job?” is one of the toughest to answer. On the one hand, you don’t want to badmouth your current employer or sound like you’re looking for a way out. On the other hand, you don’t want to come across as someone content with their current situation and not looking for ways to improve or grow. The best way to answer this question is to focus on your future goals and how this new position will help you achieve them. For example, you might say, “I’m looking for a position that will offer me more opportunities for growth and development. I feel like this new position will give me a chance to hone my skills and expand my knowledge.” By framing your answer regarding your future goals, you can show that you’re proactive and motivated to continue developing your skill set. This answer will leave a lasting impression on any potential employer.

Example: I am leaving my current job because I want a future where I can have the freedom to work anywhere but still have growth opportunities. In addition to receiving competitive pay, I am committed to looking for remote work where I can use my skills to help my clients to advance their businesses. This will give me satisfaction that I did not experience in my current role. 

Knowing these common VA interview questions, you can take your interview game to the next level! To reach the interview stage, send in that application. Check out our job openings here.