A good VA understands that working from home offers freedom, but also requires responsibility. Our service levels are non-negotiable: you need to be visible and reliable, even at a distance.
At Moneypenny, the People team ensures that clients are matched with the right Virtual Assistant—someone who not only fits the role, but also the way of working. Mariëlle van den Biggelaar shares how the recruitment process works and what Moneypenny looks for when finding the perfect match.
Alongside account management, I’m responsible within the People team for recruiting and selecting VAs—from the moment a CV comes in to the point where someone starts working with a client. Everything in between, I coordinate together with my colleagues Marjolein and Nanda.
To streamline the process, we recently introduced a decision tree on the website. We were receiving many applications from people who didn’t meet our basic requirements—for example, not speaking Dutch, living abroad, or wanting to do it alongside a full-time job. The decision tree now filters this in advance. It saves a huge amount of time: we review around 150 CVs per month, of which only two turn out to be truly suitable.
After the initial selection, we carry out a thorough assessment. We look for flawless Dutch, relevant experience, and how someone presents themselves. Education matters, but experience and attitude often carry more weight. A messy or careless CV, for instance, says a lot about someone’s approach to work.
Candidates who pass the first stage receive a Trello board where they complete their own profile. This immediately acts as a test of how structured and digitally skilled they are. They also record a short video and complete an email test to demonstrate their communication style. As we work fully remotely, it’s important that someone comes across well on screen and communicates clearly.
Finally, there is an interview where we explore how the candidate views the VA role and whether there is a mutual fit. If both sides are positive, a second interview follows in which we ask how the candidate would handle specific situations. For example: what would you do if a client calls just as you’re about to log off? This reveals a lot about someone’s work ethic. If all goes well, we move to a collaboration conversation and the candidate joins our pool of available VAs.
Flawless Dutch is a basic requirement. We also assess whether someone truly understands the nature of the role: it’s not a nine-to-five job, but one that revolves around availability and attentiveness. A good VA checks their inbox several times a day, responds quickly and maintains oversight.
Our service levels and reliability are key. You can have a strong CV, but if it takes you three days to complete a small assignment during the application process, it’s a clear indication that things won’t run smoothly with clients either. We’re looking for people who take initiative, communicate professionally and understand that working from home requires discipline.
A good VA understands the concept. You work independently, but not in isolation. You need to be flexible, able to switch between tasks and aware that the work sometimes extends throughout your day. The best VAs are proactive, think alongside the client and maintain a clear overview. They understand that working from home requires structure and ownership.
Personality also plays a key role. As you work remotely, communication needs to feel natural. Some clients look for a calm, analytical VA, while others prefer someone more energetic and communicative. That personal fit often determines the success of the collaboration.
After the interviews, we assess which VA is the best fit for each assignment. It’s not just about availability, but also about personality, pace and working style. We often speak with sales and account managers to fully understand the client’s needs, as the details really matter.
We present one candidate to the client—the one we believe is the best match. Sometimes a client has doubts, and we encourage them to still meet the candidate. More often than not, it turns out to be a perfect fit.
A great deal. Some clients are looking for someone who closely aligns with their style—for example, a formal organisation versus a creative agency. The connection needs to feel right. We also consider the type of work: a finance VA is often more introverted, while a marketing or communication role may require someone with more flair. We aim to translate that feeling into the match as accurately as possible.
Yes, although it varies by sector. Businesses in corporate gifting or events tend to be especially busy, while sectors such as education are often quieter in December. We try to manage this smartly: VAs with temporarily fewer hours can support clients experiencing peak demand, for example when another VA is on holiday.
Towards the end of the year, many people also start reflecting on their work—whether they’re still in the right role. We receive more applications during this period, but we only take on candidates who are immediately available. Otherwise, you end up with a pool of VAs without assignments.
The demand for proactivity remains the strongest. Clients want someone who thinks ahead and identifies tasks independently. Many clients don’t initially know what they can outsource, so it’s up to the VA to spot opportunities and take initiative. That ability to think alongside the client strengthens the collaboration.
We’re also seeing growth in specialised roles, such as the Social Media VA. What used to be an add-on task has now become a distinct area of expertise.
We have regular check-ins where we discuss how things are going, any challenges and where support is needed. We point VAs towards training in the Academy and ensure strong collaboration between account management and the People team. If something comes up, we address it quickly.
We also encourage peer sessions and knowledge sharing via Teams. Through Meetingpoint (our intranet), VAs can access everything they need. This helps us stay connected as a team, even while working remotely.
It’s very much about people. You see someone grow from their first application to a successful collaboration. That never gets old. I enjoy guiding candidates and seeing them find their place. And of course, making clients happy with the right match—that’s incredibly rewarding.
If you’re in doubt—do it. A good VA takes work off your plate that would otherwise consume your time. It makes sense to bring in someone who can do it faster and more efficiently, because it’s their area of expertise. It always pays off. Just give it a try—you’ll quickly notice the relief of having someone who thinks along with you and takes tasks off your hands.
Go for it—but prepare well. Take the time to understand how we work and the service levels we expect you to meet. That’s the most important part. If you understand our way of working, you’ll find it a very rewarding place to work.
Want to find out what a VA could do for you? Get in touch—we’d be happy to think along with you. Or considering becoming a VA yourself? Visit werkenvoormoneypenny.nl for more information about the role and how we work.
Get to know us online and ask all your questions. Or read more about our VA services.
+31(0)20 42 60 760 
