A virtual receptionist (VR) is an outsourced employee who offers administrative assistance to businesses remotely. Having a VR on your books gives you the opportunity to provide round-the-clock support to clients and customers, offering a bespoke service that’s tailored to your business’ needs. From order taking to complex call handling, there are a range of things you can task your VR with. But how can you give yourself the best chance at finding the perfect hire for your company? Here are four things to keep in mind during the hiring process.
A virtual receptionist is an extension of your business
Just because they may not be working on-site or with you in-person, it’s important to remember that any VR you hire will be seen as an extension of your business by customers, and will ultimately represent the company in client-facing situations. This is important because a customer’s interaction with your VR may be the first impression they get of your company, and in order to maximise conversions, you’ll naturally want it to be a positive one. Keep this in mind when considering candidates for the position.
Personality is important
Regardless of the position, when reviewing applications, you’ll naturally focus on the skills and experiences of the prospective employee. However, when it comes to finding a virtual receptionist, it’s important to also take their personality and demeanour into consideration. Does it align with your company’s values and brand? Are they engaging and enthusiastic?
As well as being articulate in conversation, they should also demonstrate good active listening skills, since this is a crucial part of effective communication. If you don’t warm to a candidate, it’s unlikely that your customers will.
Consider the process as a trial run
During the recruitment process, you’ll be able to build up an accurate image of how professional and reliable any given candidate appears to be. This should be at the forefront of your mind throughout the entire process, not just at the interview stage. For example, are they responding to your emails or phone calls in a professional, timely manner? Have they missed any key information during the process? Have they demonstrated they’re comfortable with technology? These are all skills you’d expect a successful candidate to have, so keep an eye out for their proficiency in these areas during the hiring process.
Have they shown an interest in your company?
Any new hire should show a keen interest in your company and the wider industry it sits in. This especially true of a virtual receptionist, who’ll need to have an in-depth knowledge of the business in order to answer customer queries. While their understanding will naturally be developed and built upon over time, it’s always a positive sign if a candidate has demonstrated an eagerness to learn more about the intricacies of your industry, and can articulate why they want to work for you.
Find your perfect match
Keep these four things in mind during the recruitment process and you’ll give yourself every chance to find the perfect match. The right virtual receptionist can save you precious time and resources, but the wrong hire will be a drain on your business. Take the time to carefully consider the applications, so you can reap all the benefits of a great hire.
