Spotting Red Flags When Hiring A Distant Assistant
Hiring the perfect Distant Assistant candidate for a position is hard enough as it is. Some candidates can look great on paper, yet perform badly once they have the job. Here are some ways to identify bad hires and spot red flags when hiring a Distant Assistant.
5 Ways that can help you discern a good Distant Assistant candidate from a bad one
1. Spotting Non-Verbal Cues
Arriving Late for the Interview
If a candidate shows up late for an interview, and they haven’t given any prior notice on why they were late, that’s a red flag. This could possibly mean that they aren’t good at prioritizing, or maintaining a schedule.
It could also mean that they tend to take time for granted, or that they aren’t taking the job seriously. This could be an issue in the long run.
Inconsistencies in Choosing a Career Path
A candidate who isn’t able to stick with one career path may cause trouble. This may mean they get bored with repetitive tasks, or that they lack the right abilities for the job.
They also might have attitude problems which could lead to resignation or termination in the future.
Lacking Energy
If the applicant lacks energy during the interview, this could mean that they’re not excited about the job. They might also have lots of other activities which are using up their energy.
They might not be able to perform their tasks and finish on time since they lack the energy to do so, and might cause issues with turning over on deadlines.
Unprofessional Appearance
A candidate who does not dress appropriately for an interview is an indication that they do not value the job being offered. It could also mean that they lack respect for the interviewer and/or the job itself.
Regardless if the job requires a work-from-home set-up or a physical one, dressing professionally is a sign that the applicant is eager to impress and perform.
Slouching
Slouching is an indication of laziness, lack of confidence, and lack of interest. If an applicant does this during an interview, this could mean that they are disinterested and could care less.
An unconfident person may not be able to perform tasks which may seem a little daunting. Employers would definitely want someone who is confident and sharp.
No Eye Contact
This is another sign of lack of confidence. It could also mean that they are hiding something, and could mean that they are not trustworthy.
However, it could also mean that they are easily distracted by their surroundings, and in a WFH setting, this could mean trouble. There are a lot of distractions at home, and the candidate might not be able to filter out distractions.
Signs of a good candidate:
- An applicant who sits up straight and leans slightly forward.
- A candidate who is appropriately dressed.
- A person who makes eye contact.
2. Do Roleplays
An employer or interviewer can ascertain if an applicant is a good fit for the job if they do roleplays with them. Situations about work, like how to handle a problem or dealing with a customer can be good examples.
If the candidate cannot perform or act out what they put in their resumes, that is not a good sign.
3. Personality Profiling
One of the parts of a job interview is personality profiling. This is done to make sure that the candidate is a good fit for the company.
Among other things, the applicant’s traits, characteristics, and attitude are all measured to see if they fit company values.
4. Background Checks
Background checks should be performed for the following reasons:
Safety and reputation
A candidate who had transgressions from their previous place of employment does not bode well for a future employer. They may cause trouble with their future co-workers or even endanger the company’s relationship with their clients.
Verification of Credentials
It’s very easy to fake documents, so a background check must be conducted to verify these documents passed by an applicant. It also means that whatever they place on their resume are their true skills.
5. Asking the Right Questions
An interviewer need not ask a lot of questions. An applicant can be assessed with the right questions, and here are some examples of the questions to ask during an interview.
Effective Communication
An applicant who can answer concisely, is attentive, and confident is a good communicator. This is a green flag especially if an employer is hiring a remote worker.
Team Culture
A candidate who does well working with a team is also a good sign. There are certain tasks which must be done by a group, and if the interviewee works well with a group of people, this is a good sign that they’re a good fit for the company.
Time Management
People who know how to prioritize and manage their schedule well are strong contenders. This means that they know how to handle tasks which are time-sensitive, and will be able to deliver well before their deadline.
Adaptability
A candidate who can adapt well to changes in the company, whether in management, schedules, or work environment is gearing up to be a good fit. This means that they do not allow these changes to get in the way of work, and that they have the capabilities to work around such changes.
Teamwork
If an applicant works well with people from all walks of life and from different cultures, that’s a good sign. It means that they use these differences to bring together different skills while working towards a common goal.
Growth Potential
An employer or interviewer can spot someone who is willing to grow, willing to accept feedback and change accordingly. These applicants usually state their desire to move up the company ladder and learn new skills within the company.
Leadership
A good applicant always has the potential to become a leader. This can be seen in their critical thinking skills and capacity to empower their co-workers. If a candidate takes initiative in certain critical situations, that’s already a sign that they can perform well as a leader.
Conclusion
It’s easy to spot red flags. An interviewer should just keep in mind these five clues, so that they can assess and gauge the applicant if they are perfect for the job.
Want to know more ways to spot a red flag when hiring a distant assistant? Subscribe to our newsletter so you can get our guide on How to Spot Red Flags When Hiring a Distant Assistant!
If you rather have us look for great Distant Assistant candidates instead and save you all the effort, schedule a FREE CONSULTATION today!
About Jaime Jay
Meet Jaime Jay – a man who wears many hats, and wears them all admirably. He's a master connector, an entrepreneur extraordinaire, and a published author who knows how to get things done.
Before he found his way to the business world, Jaime served his country as a brave paratrooper in the U.S. Army. But that's just the beginning of his many accomplishments.
He's the founder of the renowned Bottleneck Distant Assistant Services firm, and his book "Quit Repeating Yourself" has become a must-read for entrepreneurs everywhere.
When he's not busy building his empire, you can find him on his beloved Harley Davidson, cruising through the countryside and taking in the invigorating effects of Uitwaaien – a Dutch practice that involves facing the wind to boost health and relieve stress.
He enjoys spending his free time outside building stuff with his wife, Nikita the dog and their two kittens (for now at least) Tommy and Tater.
He is ‘over-the-moon’ happily married to his wonderful wife Sara, his amazing daughter, Jessica, who is serving our country as a United States Army soldier. Jaime and Sara are the proud grand parents of two beautiful little girls.
Victoria Dorsano2023-09-17Bottleneck has been such an amazing support for my business! They have a seamless process to ensure you find the right fit for your DDA. I am so thankful I started working with them! I'm now able to accomplish so much more in my business with a personal DDA and editing team on my side. Thank you!!
Rockwell Felder2023-03-15I cannot thank the team at Bottleneck enough for their incredible support of our business. Their team has played a vital role in helping us staff our customer support and ensuring our customers were satisfied with our services. Their Distant Assistants were extremely helpful in answering inquiries promptly, handling complaints, and providing solutions to our customers' needs. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and communication skills are exceptional. Working with Bottleneck has been a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend their services to anyone needing a reliable and efficient virtual assistant, especially for customer support.
Karen Ravano2022-09-24I am grateful and blessed to be part of this team. It’s such a wonderful experience because i gain more experience and help me enhance my basic skills. This will be my stepping stone to my career as a newbie in this kind of industry. It would help to reach my goals.
Jeany Mercadal2022-09-16Bottleneck Distant Assistants can lessen the burden of company owners. We provide excellent services depending on our client needs. We are not scam, clients surely get more than what they pay for. Being part of this team helped me hone my skills and become excellent in all my works.
Jeff Peñaflor2022-09-14I started last March 24, 2021 as a Dedicated Distant Assistant and it was an awesome experience. In this new journey, as Security Administrator of Bottleneck Distant Assistants, I have been supported by the team, A LOT !!!! All help that I need, the whole team is there to support me. I know that there are a lot of room for improvements with my skills and what I know, but because of BNDA, I became equipped with all the weapons I need to conquer the daily challenges especially with my tasks. With BNDA, they will not just help you to aim high, but soar the skies!
Tinoe D2022-09-09I don't remember the last time I loved what I was doing until Bottleneck came into the picture. I love working for bottleneck, they are professional. The management makes the workplace fun and they're very flexible. I definetly recommend that you make that important switch and be part of something big today by joining BNDA.
Michael Goodcliffe2022-09-09Jaime and his team are incredible at what they do! Joining them has been one of the best decisions in my life! I whole heartedly recommend them to anyone who are looking to scale and improve their business. Their highly 'Dedicated Distant Assistants' are well trained. They are top notch!
GM Simon2022-09-08Working with Bottleneck is not just having one or two assistants working alongside you. You have the support of the whole team behind them as well.
Ma. Edeliza Silot2022-09-07Aside from the knowledge gained, the trainers are highly commendable.
Sara Knox2022-09-07What an awesome business! Finally, a way to hire the RIGHT person for my administrative tasks and they are remote! No office space to consider, W2's, 1099's or payroll. Jaime and his team of remote workers are top-notch! I hired my first assistant in May. I recently suffered a motorcycle accident and it left me unable to work for 2 weeks. But my assistant stepped right in to guide our CEO on all matters financial. It’s so nice to have that stress eliminated from my life!
Get Your Book Now!
Quit Repeating Yourself provides guidance for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and managers to help prevent unknown challenges from ruining their business.
