If you need help with daily tasks at home or for your business, you might consider hiring someone to provide personal assistant services. In our modern, digital world, so many things have gone remote and virtual. Choosing between a virtual and in-person assistant depends on your work style, the nature of tasks to be assigned, and your budget.
From the staffing professionals at Pavillion Agency, here is a comparison of virtual personal assistants and onsite personal assistants to help you make the best decision for your needs.
What Is a Personal Virtual Assistant?
A virtual assistant (VA) works remotely and can be physically located anywhere in the world. A VA can be in a different office or home than the person they work for. VAs require a high-speed internet connection and reliable phone line but can be in a different time zone than an employer.
Virtual personal assistants offer excellent flexibility and typically handle technical and administrative tasks like research and data entry. They often do basic scheduling for their employers and have specialized skills for organizing and planning.
It can be more cost-effective to hire a virtual assistant because of the global talent pool to choose from. Virtual assistants often work on a part-time or contract basis, which may eliminate the need to pay employee benefits.
Yet, it can be more challenging to train and communicate with a virtual personal assistant if there is a language barrier or major difference in communication styles.
What Is an In-Person Assistant?
A personal assistant (PA) physically works in the same location as the employer. PAs may meet with their employers regularly in an office and coordinate schedules together in person.
In-person assistants often run errands for their employers and make local arrangements for meetings and events. They may visit venues to discuss upcoming plans and accompany their employers to ensure events run smoothly and meet all needs.
Other responsibilities of an in-person assistant may include calendar maintenance, contractor management, party planning, travel arrangements, and paying bills.
In-person personal assistants often work full-time and provide highly personalized support around the clock. PAs may work evenings and weekends during busy times.
However, hiring someone to work onsite may cost more because of the office space needed. Also, the local talent pool for hiring may be smaller compared to virtual personal assistants who can be hired from anywhere in the world.
How to Hire a Virtual Personal Assistant or In-Person Assistant
If you are ready to hire a virtual personal assistant or in-person assistant, Pavillion is here to help.
Hiring the perfect assistant can be challenging if you aren’t sure where to look for qualified candidates or ask the right interview questions. That’s where we step in to match you with the best assistants in the industry so that you can focus on the big picture while your employee handles all the details and provides the support you need.
To start your search, please complete our application to tell us more about your assistant needs or browse candidates near you.
Whether you choose a virtual or in-person professional, hiring an assistant can transform your life and free up valuable time for what you really need and want in your personal or professional life.
