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Partnering with a virtual assistant may not be for everyone. Here are some things to consider before opting in for outsourcing.

* Getting personal: If you’re squeamish about handing over personal information like user IDs and passwords, you may want to think twice about using a VA, or at least limit any personal tasks you hand out.

* Tech issues: You may have to familiarize yourself with programs like ClientSpot or Skype in order to pay and communicate with your VA.

* Time investment: You’ll have to spend some time filling out request forms and signing agreements. You’ll also have to train your assistant, and there will likely be a learning curve before you get your work rhythm down.

* Language barrier: You’ll need the time and patience to be extra clear about your expectations, and keep in mind that slang or shorthand might be lost in translation.

* Time difference: Your VA may not be at your beck and call. If you need someone who’s available during US business hours, make sure he or she can accommodate you.

Some useful sites

* International Virtual Assistants Association (ivaa.org). Allows you to post a free “request for proposals” outlining your needs, to which VAs can respond.

* Find Virtual (findvirtual.com). Offers a virtual assistant directory that you can search according to criteria like pay rate and skill set.

* Alltop (Virtual-Assistant.Alltop.com). An aggregator of virtual assistants’ blogs and Web sites.

* Assistant Match (Assistant

Match.com). An agency that, for a fee, connects clients to assistants who’ve been screened and background-checked.

* Ask Sunday (asksunday.com). One of the largest virtual assistant agencies. Others include Elance.com, GetFriday.com, Brickwork India (b2kcorp.com) and DoMyStuff.com.

By GAIL EISENBERG