Frequently
Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Assist World our virtual assistants, onboarding and how we communicate
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Pricing
How much does a virtual assistant cost?
It depends on the role, the experience level, and whether you need part time or full time support. Most clients spend 50 to 70% less than hiring the same role locally. Rates start at $10/hour for general admin and rise for specialist roles like bookkeeping or sales.
Are there contracts or setup fees?
No lock-in contracts and no setup fee. You pay for the hours you book, and you can scale up, scale down, or stop with 2 week notice.
Can I hire a virtual assistant part time?
Yes. Part time is how a lot of clients start, usually 4 Hours a Day, then move to full time once they see what the assistant can absorb. There’s no penalty for staying part time.
What's included in the rate?
The assistant’s time, our recruiting and vetting, replacement cover if it doesn’t work out, and ongoing support from our team. No separate management fee.
Can I hire more than one assistant?
Yes. Many clients run more than one assistant across different roles, for example, an admin assistant and a bookkeeping assistant, all managed under a single account and a single invoice. Want to see pricing for your specific mix of roles before you book? Get a free quote
Matching & Hiring
How quickly can I get started?
After a short discovery call, most clients are introduced to candidates within 24 to 48 hours and begin onboarding shortly after.
How do you vet your virtual assistants?
Every applicant goes through skills evaluation, multiple interview stages, and background checks before joining. Roughly the top 0.5% of applicants make it through.
Can I choose my virtual assistant?
Yes. We shortlist candidates against what you described on the discovery call, you interview the ones you want, and you decide. We don’t assign someone to you.
Do you have virtual assistants experienced in my industry?
We place assistants across real estate, healthcare, legal, e-commerce, logistics, hospitality and others. Tell us your field on the discovery call and we’ll shortlist people who have worked in it.
What's the difference between a general and an industry-specific assistant?
A general assistant covers broad admin work. An industry-specific one already knows the tools, terminology and workflows in your field, so ramp-up is shorter. If your work involves an MLS, a practice management system, or an ATS, the industry route usually pays for itself quickly.
Are assistants trained before they start?
Yes. We hire for relevant experience first, then run new staff through our internal training on core tasks and tools. They also have ongoing access to our training library and support team once they’re placed with you.
Working Together
How do I communicate with my assistant?
Most communication runs through our in-house channel, but we fit around how your team already works. If you’d rather have them in your Slack, your email, or on daily calls, that’s fine.
How do you handle time zone differences?
Our assistants work across a range of time zones, and we match you with someone whose hours line up with yours. If you need coverage during your business hours, say so on the discovery call and we’ll shortlist accordingly.
What kind of work can I hand off?
Inbox and calendar management, data entry, customer support, bookkeeping, social media, research, appointment setting, and more. If you can describe the task and it can be done remotely, it’s worth asking about.
What does Assist World do after I'm matched?
We stay in the middle. Think of us as the HR layer: we handle payroll, performance check-ins, cover, and any issue you’d rather not manage directly. You manage the work, we manage the employment.
What if the role changes or I need different work covered?
Tell us. Adjusting scope within an assistant’s skill set is normal and costs nothing. If the work has shifted far enough that it needs a different skill set, we’ll find you someone who fits rather than stretching the person you have.
Security & Guarantees
What if I'm not satisfied with my assistant?
We’ll work out what’s going wrong and replace them if that’s the right call.
How do you handle confidentiality and data security?
Every assistant signs an NDA before starting. For regulated work like healthcare or legal, tell us on the discovery call so we can match accordingly.
Is my assistant an employee or a contractor?
Your assistant is a full employee of Assistworld, not a contractor and not an employee of your business. Assistworld is the employer of record; we run payroll, handle taxes, and carry the associated employer liability. That means you carry none of it: no payroll tax exposure, no benefits administration, and no misclassification risk, which is the main liability trap with hiring an independent contractor directly.
What happens if my assistant is sick or takes leave?
We notify you as soon as we know, same day whenever possible and before their shift if it’s planned leave. For any absence longer than a day, we provide a backup assistant already briefed on your account so your work doesn’t stall. You’re only billed for hours actually worked, never for time your assistant is out.
What makes Assist World different?
We match you with people, not a pool. You interview and choose your assistant, you keep the same person, and we handle the employment side. Our founders built and ran two agencies on virtual assistants before starting this one, so the process comes from having been the client.
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