5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a VA

Keith Kipkemboi

Virtual Assistant

Human Resources Manager

Recruiter

Asana

Trello

Slack

Zoom

Design

5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a VA

Red Flag 1: Poor or Inconsistent Communication

Slow Response Times

Vague or Unclear Answers

Red Flag 2: Lack of a Professional Online Presence

No Portfolio or References

Unprofessional Conduct During the Interview

Red Flag 3: Inability to Follow Instructions

Ignoring Application Instructions

Not Asking Clarifying Questions

Red Flag 4: Unclear or Inflexible Pricing

Pricing That's Too Good to Be True

No Formal Agreement or Contract

Red Flag 5: Overpromising and Unrealistic Availability

Guaranteeing 24/7 Availability

A 'Yes Man' Attitude

Conclusion

References

5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a VA

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a game-changer for your productivity, but making the wrong hire can lead to wasted time, money, and frustration. By learning to spot the warning signs early, you can avoid common pitfalls. Acing the interview questions is a great start, and understanding these red flags will further refine your selection process.

This knowledge is especially critical when deciding between hiring a freelancer or an agency. Whether you're a solopreneur looking for your first assistant or a growing business ready to delegate more tasks, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to look for.

Red Flag 1: Poor or Inconsistent Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful remote working relationship. When you're working with someone who might be in a different time zone or country, clear communication becomes even more crucial. Let's dive into the specific warning signs that should make you think twice.

Slow Response Times

While you can't expect instant replies, a candidate who consistently takes more than 24-48 business hours to respond to emails during the hiring process may be a sign of poor time management or lack of interest. Think about it this way: if they're slow to respond when they're trying to impress you, how will they perform once they're comfortable?

I once interviewed a VA candidate who took five days to respond to my initial follow-up email. When they finally replied, they blamed it on being "super busy." That's actually a double red flag. Not only were they slow to respond, but they also showed they couldn't prioritize a potential new client.

A good VA understands that timely communication builds trust. They'll set expectations upfront about their response times and stick to them. If someone tells you they'll get back to you within 24 hours and then disappears for three days, that's a pattern you don't want in your business.

Vague or Unclear Answers

If a candidate gives evasive answers to direct questions or their correspondence is difficult to understand, it could indicate poor attention to detail or an inability to communicate effectively. This is a major liability for a VA who'll be representing you to clients, vendors, or team members.

Here's what vague communication looks like in practice. You ask: "What's your experience with social media management?" A vague answer sounds like: "I've done some social media stuff for various clients." A clear answer would be: "I managed Instagram and Facebook accounts for three e-commerce clients, growing their engagement by 40% over six months."

Pay attention to how candidates structure their emails too. Are their messages organized with clear points? Do they answer all your questions, or do you find yourself having to ask the same thing multiple times? These small details reveal a lot about how they'll handle your daily communications.

Red Flag 2: Lack of a Professional Online Presence

In today's digital world, a professional online footprint is expected. A VA who can't manage their own online presence probably won't do a great job managing yours. Let's look at what should concern you.

No Portfolio or References

A reputable VA should be able to provide a portfolio of their work or references from past clients. Hesitation or inability to do so could mean they lack experience or have had issues with previous clients. Even new VAs should have something to show, whether it's sample work, testimonials from a previous employer, or projects from their training.

When someone says they can't share any examples due to "confidentiality," that's often a cop-out. Professional VAs know how to showcase their skills without violating client privacy. They might create anonymized case studies, share general results without naming clients, or provide references who've agreed to be contacted.

Be especially wary if they claim years of experience but can't produce a single reference. I've seen candidates claim they've been VAs for five years but mysteriously have no one who can vouch for their work. That math doesn't add up.

Unprofessional Conduct During the Interview

Signs of unprofessionalism, like seeming distracted, multitasking during the interview, or being unprepared, are major warning signs. If they can't focus for a short interview, they may not be able to dedicate the necessary attention to your business.

I remember interviewing a candidate who kept typing during our video call. When I asked if everything was okay, they said they were "just finishing up some work for another client." While multitasking might seem efficient, during an interview it shows poor judgment and lack of respect for your time.

Other unprofessional behaviors to watch for include showing up late without notice, having a messy or distracting background during video calls, or not having basic information about your company. A prepared candidate will have researched your business and come with thoughtful questions.

Red Flag 3: Inability to Follow Instructions

A key function of a VA is to follow directions accurately. This skill is so fundamental that failure to demonstrate it during the hiring process should immediately disqualify a candidate. Here's what to look out for.

Ignoring Application Instructions

If you include a specific instruction in your job post (like "include the word 'banana' in your subject line") and a candidate ignores it, it shows a lack of attention to detail. This simple test filters out people who blast generic applications to every job posting.

You might think this is a silly trick, but it's incredibly revealing. Following specific application instructions shows that a candidate reads carefully, pays attention to details, and can follow directions even when they might seem unusual. These are exactly the qualities you need in a VA.

I've used variations of this test many times. Once, I asked candidates to answer three specific questions in their cover letter. Out of 50 applications, only 12 followed the instructions completely. Those 12 became my interview pool, and I ended up hiring someone fantastic from that group.

Not Asking Clarifying Questions

While it may seem counterintuitive, a candidate who doesn't ask any questions about the role or tasks might not be engaged or thinking critically about the position. Good VAs want to ensure they understand your needs fully.

A quality VA knows that assumptions lead to mistakes. They'll ask questions like: "When you say you need social media management, does that include content creation or just scheduling?" or "What time zone do you prefer I work in?" These questions show they're thinking ahead and want to set clear expectations.

Beware of candidates who seem to understand everything perfectly without any clarification. Real-world tasks are rarely black and white. A VA who doesn't ask questions might be the type to guess instead of clarify, leading to costly mistakes down the line.

Red Flag 4: Unclear or Inflexible Pricing

Transparency in pricing and terms is essential for a healthy working relationship. Money conversations might feel awkward, but a professional VA will handle them with clarity and confidence. Here's what should raise your eyebrows.

Pricing That's Too Good to Be True

Extremely low pricing can be a red flag for inexperience or low-quality work. While affordability is a plus, you often get what you pay for. A VA charging $3 per hour might seem like a bargain, but consider what that really means.

Think about the real cost of a bad hire. If you pay someone $3 an hour but have to redo their work, manage them constantly, or deal with missed deadlines, you're actually losing money. Quality VAs understand their value and price accordingly.

That said, pricing varies by location and experience. A VA from the Philippines might charge less than one from the US, but both can deliver excellent work. The key is ensuring the price aligns with the candidate's experience and your expectations. If someone with "10 years of experience" is charging beginner rates, something's off.

No Formal Agreement or Contract

A professional freelancer or agency will always use a contract to outline the scope of work, payment terms, and confidentiality. A refusal or failure to provide one is a major red flag.

I've heard every excuse in the book. "We don't need a contract; I trust you!" or "Contracts make things too complicated." But here's the truth: contracts protect both parties. They clarify expectations, prevent scope creep, and provide recourse if things go wrong.

A good contract doesn't need to be 20 pages of legal jargon. It should clearly state the services provided, payment terms, confidentiality agreements, and how either party can end the relationship. If a VA resists putting things in writing, they're either inexperienced or planning to be unreliable.

Red Flag 5: Overpromising and Unrealistic Availability

Be wary of candidates who promise the world. A professional VA understands their limits and communicates them clearly. Overpromising often leads to underdelivering, and that's a recipe for frustration.

Guaranteeing 24/7 Availability

While flexibility is a plus, a VA who claims to be available 24/7 may not have a healthy work-life balance, which can lead to burnout and inconsistent work quality. It's more important to have clear, reliable working hours.

Nobody can sustainably work around the clock. A VA who promises constant availability is either lying or headed for burnout. Either way, you'll end up with problems. I learned this the hard way when I hired someone who swore they'd always be available. Within a month, their response times became erratic, and the quality of work plummeted.

Professional VAs set boundaries. They'll tell you their working hours, how they handle urgent requests, and what their response time looks like. They might offer emergency availability for an extra fee, but they won't pretend to be robots who never need rest.

A 'Yes Man' Attitude

A great VA will be a partner who can offer suggestions or push back when something isn't feasible. A candidate who agrees to everything without question may lack the critical thinking skills to truly support your business.

Here's a real scenario: You ask a VA candidate if they can manage your email, social media, bookkeeping, graphic design, and customer service. A "yes man" says "Absolutely, no problem!" A professional says "I'm strong in email management and social media. For bookkeeping, I'd need to know what software you use. Graphic design isn't my specialty, but I can handle basic Canva work or help you find a designer."

The second response shows honesty, self-awareness, and problem-solving skills. That's the kind of VA who'll tell you when a deadline isn't realistic or suggest a better approach to a task. They're thinking partners, not just task robots.

Conclusion

Hiring a virtual assistant is an investment in your business's growth and your own sanity. By watching for these red flags, you're not being overly picky – you're being smart. Poor communication, lack of professionalism, inability to follow instructions, unclear pricing, and overpromising are all signs that a candidate might create more problems than they solve.

Remember, the hiring process is a preview of the working relationship. How someone behaves when they're trying to impress you is likely their best foot forward. If you're seeing red flags during this honeymoon phase, things will only get worse once the novelty wears off.

Take your time finding the right fit. It's better to continue handling tasks yourself for another few weeks than to rush into hiring the wrong person. When you find a VA who communicates clearly, maintains professionalism, follows instructions, offers transparent pricing, and sets realistic expectations, you'll wonder how you ever managed without them.

The right virtual assistant becomes an extension of your business, anticipating needs and solving problems before you even know they exist. By avoiding these red flags, you're one step closer to finding that perfect match who'll help take your business to the next level.