It's exciting when you finally discover that you can hire a virtual assistant for a fraction of the cost of hiring a local employee.
I know the feeling. I remember when I figured it out for the first time.
Because of my 10+ years of experience in hiring virtual assistants and building teams in the Philippines, I know firsthand that despite the enthusiasm, there are a few things that you need to watch out for to make it a success.
In this article, I'll share seven things that you should know about before hiring a Filipino virtual assistant.
(1) What exactly is a Virtual Assistant?
You can hire a general VA who will do admin, basic social media, some positing, data entry, as well as a few other similar tasks. Think of a VA as an admin assistant who can do a lot more!
However, it's essential to distinguish between a virtual assistant and remote staff. In the case of remote staff, you're hiring someone more specialized, for example, "graphic designer," "accountant," etc.
Although you can expect a virtual assistant to do a lot of tasks, don't expect them to do expert-level graphic design while simultaneously being able to do bookkeeping. Instead, if you need a bookkeeper, hire a bookkeeper.
(2) How much do virtual assistants cost?
You can hire a virtual assistant for between $360 and $1300 per month, depending on the particular VA's skills, experience, and individual salary expectations.
To give you an idea, most people pay around $720 to $1,260 per month and can hire excellent quality virtual assistants in the Philippines.
Suppose you'd like to see the accurate salary rates of actual Filipino virtual assistants. I'd suggest you look at the thousands of VA profiles that are live on the VirtualStaff.ph platform.
(3) How to pay your virtual assistant?
If you're hiring a virtual assistant on VirtualStaff.ph, then it's as easy as paying the salary invoice that you receive on the platform. The invoice covers the hours you authorized your VA to work.
The good news is that you only ever pay your virtual assistants after they have worked and never in advance.
(4) How to interview your virtual assistant?
You can message, call, or video call with applicants on VirtualStaff.ph. You can even schedule interviews from within your dashboard.
Here are some top tips for successfully interviewing the best applicants:
- Check the profile and resume that they provide on their Virtual Staff profile.
- Ask questions related to the experience and work history.
- Be sure to get a good natural feel for how the VA responds to your questions.
- Schedule a day and time for the interview. Be sure to let them know what that time would be in the Philippines (avoids confusion).
- Video call during the interviews. You (employer) and the applicant should go on a video call. It builds more rapport.
(5) How to know your virtual assistant is working?
Hiring somebody for the first time remotely, especially when that person is overseas, can worry some people. I understand the feeling and can relate to how you feel.
The good news is that all virtual assistants hired on VirtualStaff.ph must log in to "Work Log." Work Log is a time tracking tool where you can require your VA to either automatically log in to our free-to-use time tracker or manually input the time they work.
This means you have 100% accountability, and if ever you feel the VA did not work the hours that appear on the invoice, you can amend the invoice to reflect the correct hours.
(6) Filipino virtual assistants speak English!
English is the joint official language of the Philippines. All road signs, exams, and even the constitution is in English.
(7) Hire full-time if you can!
I'd always suggest that you hire a full-time virtual assistant instead of a part-time VA if you can afford to do so.
The reason for this is by hiring someone full-time, i.e., 35-45 hours per week. You can expect them to be 100% dedicated to your business.
If you can't afford to hire somebody full-time, or you don't have the volume of work to hire somebody full-time, then hiring a VA part-time for 10-25 hours per week is better than not having a virtual assistant at all.
Tips to Hire a Virtual Assistant:
Hiring a virtual assistant can be a transformative step for your business, but it requires careful consideration. Follow these tips to ensure you find the right virtual assistant for your needs:
1. Define Clear Job Roles:
Before starting the hiring process, clearly outline the tasks and responsibilities you want your virtual assistant to handle. This will guide the selection process and help you identify candidates with the right skill set.
2. Understand Your Budget:
Establish a budget for your virtual assistant based on your business requirements and financial capabilities. This will guide your search and help you find a balance between skills and cost-effectiveness.
3. Utilize Specialized Platforms:
Explore dedicated platforms like VirtualStaff.ph that caters to virtual assistant hiring. Our platform has a pool of qualified candidates, making the hiring process more efficient.
4. Thoroughly Review Profiles:
Take the time to review potential virtual assistants' profiles thoroughly. Look for relevant skills, experience, and any specific achievements that align with your business needs.
5. Conduct Effective Interviews:
Schedule interviews to assess communication skills, work experience, and cultural fit. Utilize video calls to establish a more personal connection and gauge the candidate's professionalism.
6. Clarify Communication Channels:
Clearly define the communication channels you'll use with your virtual assistant. Discuss preferred modes of communication, response times, and the frequency of updates to ensure smooth collaboration.
7. Trial Period:
Consider implementing a trial period before committing to a long-term contract. This allows both you and the virtual assistant to assess compatibility and ensures expectations align on both sides.
8. Assess Technical Proficiency:
Depending on your business needs, assess the virtual assistant's technical proficiency. This may include familiarity with specific software, tools, or platforms relevant to your operations.
9. Trust Your Instincts:
Ultimately, trust your instincts when making a hiring decision. Consider not only the candidate's qualifications but also their enthusiasm for the role and their ability to adapt to your business culture.
By following these tips, you can streamline the hiring process and increase the likelihood of finding a virtual assistant who not only meets your requirements but also contributes positively to your business growth.
Ready to hire? Check out profiles on VirtualStaff.ph today!
