Before you start searching for a VA, familiarize yourself with the industry so you know what you should expect of a VA—and what you shouldn’t.

The certifying organizations train and test for general skills and ethical standards that apply to every VA, regardless of the client’s business. Some also provide separate certifications in commonly needed client areas, such as real estate. Extremely skilled VAs can earn additional “master’s level” certification. And some credentialing groups offer continuing education courses.

Beyond that, though, it’s up to the VA to pick up additional outside skills and certifications needed for her particular business. If you need a VA with extremely specialized skills, be sure to ask about those credentials.

Read the Web sites of the certifying organizations to find one that trains and certifies people who do the type of work you need.

Credentialing organizations’ philosophies and training emphases differ, so you’ll want to study them to feel comfortable with the focus of the VA’s background training.

Each VA organization Web site lists certified graduates. Just click on a name to see qualifications and specialties. Call or e-mail to start the dialog.

Or get VAs to come to you. The Web site for the International Virtual Assistants Association, for instance, has free, anonymous Request for Proposal capability. Input your needs online, and IVAA members with those qualifications will respond. You can weed through them and contact just those best qualified.

Check out Web sites of individual VAs, listed in a Web search for virtual assistants. But since these aren’t guaranteed certified, be sure to ask about credentials.

Although credentials are critically important, distance shouldn’t factor in your selection. Working via the Internet, it truly doesn’t matter where the VA lives. In fact, some cyber assistants won’t even take local clients because of taxes on services in some states and so clients aren’t tempted to ask them to work in the office “just this once.”

And don’t worry if every VA you interview describes vastly different policies and prices. “There is nothing ‘typical’ about virtual assistants,” says Angela Allen, vice president of the IVAA. “They are entrepreneurs and handle their businesses with different entrepreneurial approaches.” Just search until you find someone whose approach matches yours.