When it comes to hiring, skills and experience are important – but they’re not everything. Personality plays a big role in how well someone fits into a team and contributes to the workplace.

Hiring managers aren’t just reviewing resumes; they’re choosing individuals who will shape the team’s culture and success. So, what personality traits make a candidate truly stand out? Let’s explore the key traits that can help you identify the next rock star for your team.

It’s time to elevate your hiring strategy and build a team that delivers excellence every single day!

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Top Personality Traits to Look for When Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) is about more than just reviewing resumes for technical skills. While expertise matters, a VA’s personality and soft skills are just as important—often making the difference between someone who simply gets the job done and someone who exceeds expectations.

After years of working with VAs, we’ve noticed a clear pattern: the ones who thrive in remote roles share key personality traits that allow them to shine.

Here are the top traits to look for when hiring your next virtual assistant:

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Excellent Communication Skills

A successful VA must be a great communicator, both verbally and in writing. They’ll interact with you, your team, and possibly clients or customers.

Look for someone who can clearly express ideas, ask the right questions, and adapt their communication style to different situations.

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‍Strong Time Management

Virtual assistants often manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Being highly organized and knowing how to prioritize are essential skills. During interviews, ask how they stay on top of their workload. The best VAs will have proven strategies or tools for time management.

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Collaboration Skills

Even remotely, VAs are a vital part of your team. Whether it’s through video calls or project management tools, they need to work effectively with others. Pay attention to how candidates talk about teamwork in previous roles. Look for someone who values collective success and enjoys being part of a team.

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Resourcefulness

A good VA can handle unexpected challenges and find solutions independently. You need someone who can troubleshoot minor issues without needing constant guidance. During the hiring process, look for examples of how candidates have solved problems on their own.

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Conscientiousness

Attention to detail, reliability, and pride in one’s work are non-negotiable traits for a VA. Look for candidates who double-check their work, follow through on commitments, and strive for quality in everything they do. A conscientious VA is invaluable.

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How to Identify Positive and Negative Personality Traits in Job Candidates

We know personality traits are crucial when hiring a virtual assistant (VA). But how can you accurately assess these traits during the hiring process? While it’s not always straightforward, there are several strategies to help you evaluate a candidate’s personality and soft skills effectively.

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Using Personality Tests in Hiring

Personality tests, like the Big Five or DISC assessment, are popular tools for evaluating traits such as extroversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.

Why use them? These tests provide a structured way to identify traits that align with the job role or your company culture.

Keep in mind: They shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Consider them as part of a broader evaluation process.

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Getting Insights from References and Background Checks

References and background checks can offer real-world insights into a candidate’s personality and work habits.

Talk to past colleagues or managers: Ask about the candidate’s teamwork, ability to handle stress, and reliability.

Watch for red flags: Background checks might reveal patterns of conflict or inconsistency that could indicate a poor fit.

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Evaluating Candidates with the Big Five Personality Test

The Big Five is a reliable framework for assessing five key traits: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism (OCEAN).

Focus on role alignment: For instance, a VA handling customer service should score high in agreeableness and extroversion.

Balance is key: While tests can highlight strengths and weaknesses, they should complement other assessment tools like interviews and references.

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Combining Tools and Instincts

Personality tests, references, and background checks are helpful, but they’re just pieces of the puzzle. Pair them with:

Behavioral interview questions: Ask candidates about past experiences that reveal their personality traits.

Your intuition: Pay attention to how the candidate interacts during interviews.

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Why Personality Matters as Much as Skills

Hiring someone with the right personality ensures they’ll mesh with your team, handle challenges well, and contribute positively to the workplace. While skills are essential, finding someone whose personality aligns with your company values can make all the difference in building a strong, successful team.

Next time you hire, remember: you’re not just hiring skills—you’re hiring a person.

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In conclusion, personality traits play a crucial role in the success of any virtual assistant. While skills and experience are important, hiring someone with a positive attitude, excellent communication, and strong soft skills ensures they’ll thrive in a remote role and become a valuable part of your team. At Virtual Staff Labs, we take pride in selecting remote workers who not only have the expertise you need but also possess a pleasing personality and the adaptability to seamlessly fit into your company culture. Let us help you build a team that drives your business forward with professionalism and ease!

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