For a typical workday, eight hours is a lot of time. Unfortunately, not all of those hours are spent on high-value tasks. Trafft reported that 80% of a workday is dedicated to accomplishing low-value or mundane tasks. That means only 20% are allotted to core tasks. Without additional manpower, it’s easy to get swamped with tasks — whether that’s managing emails, setting appointments, or creating social media posts.
Because there’s only so much you can accomplish in a single workday, hiring a Filipino virtual assistant will be a life-changing experience for your business. Thankfully, many Filipino assistants are active on freelance websites and virtual assistant companies, waiting to be hired by clients.
5 Questions You May Have About Working With A Virtual Assistant Philippines
Filipino workers are well-sought out for their mastery of the English language, friendliness, and strong work ethic. Although a Filipino virtual assistant faces stiff competition from Brazilian, Malaysian, Mexican, and Singaporean virtual assistants, overseas companies have — time and again — shown their penchant for Filipino talent and labor. Still in doubt? Below, we’ll answer questions about working with a Filipino VA.
1. How Educated Are Virtual Assistants In the Philippines?
Filipinos place a high value on education. Most jobs in the Philippines also require a college degree. Because education is the door to a better future, Filipino families move mountains just so their children can finish school and enjoy the job opportunities that come with a college degree. Interestingly, some of these children are working students. By balancing school and work, students learn transferable skills, build a solid work ethic, and develop persistence. When you work with Filipino VA, you get the best of both worlds — their educational background and tenacity.
2. Are Virtual Assistant Service Rates Cheaper?
Yes! That’s why many foreign companies outsource work to the Philippines. According to Indeed, US virtual assistants make a monthly average salary of $5,792 (₱338,122), whereas Filipino virtual assistants earn $502.30 (₱29,323) a month. The affordability of Filipino labor brings significant cost savings, giving companies more budgetary leeway for key business investments. However, affordable doesn’t mean subpar work. Filipinos value quality and excellence, so they make sure all tasks are completed to their client’s satisfaction.
3. Can Filipinos Adjust to US Timezones?
The timezone differences between the Philippines and the United States are literally night and day. For Filipinos, this is not a problem at all. They can work graveyard shifts and align their schedules with American clients for round-the-clock collaboration and productivity.
4. Why Do Filipinos Say “Sir” or “Ma’am”?
Respect is deeply rooted in Filipino culture. At an early age, parents inculcate the value of respect for elders and authority figures, teaching their children to use polite words “po” and “opo” as well as titles such as “ate” for older sisters and “kuya” for older brothers. In the Philippine workplace, it’s customary for employees to use “sir” or “ma’am” as well as “po” and “opo” when speaking to their superiors. If you work with a Filipino virtual assistant, do expect to hear “sir” or “ma’am” in your first few correspondences. Since Filipinos are adaptable, they’ll get used to calling you by your first name.
5. Should I Give A 13th-Month Pay?
That depends on you. In the Philippines, employees receive their 13th-month pay every year before December 24, as stated in Presidential Decree No. 851. Unless you operate under Philippine jurisdiction, you’re not legally mandated to give your Filipino VA 13th-month pay. But should you choose to give 13th-month pay, your Filipino virtual assistant will be over the moon, as it shows how grateful you are for their virtual assistant service. Hence, they’ll be motivated to work harder and provide better services.
Best Platforms and Agencies to Hire A Virtual Assistant In the Philippines
Now that you’re here, you probably have an idea of what kind of virtual assistant you’ll want in your company. Or maybe, you already have a rough estimate of how much it costs to hire a virtual assistant from the Philippines. But with so many websites and companies to check out, you might be wondering where to hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines. It’s easy to succumb to choice paralysis. Below, we compiled a list of platforms and VA agencies for finding the perfect virtual assistant for your every need.
KDCI
Headquartered in Pasig City, KDCI is a Philippine business processing outsourcing (BPO) company that offers a wide range of outsourcing services to clients. These include customer support, graphic design, human resources, data processing, virtual assistance, and many more. The company also promises reduced overhead costs without the headache of low-quality virtual assistant services. KDCI’s virtual assistant roles are diverse, reflecting the variety of their client’s needs. Whether you need a virtual assistant who specializes in customer support or web development, KDCI has got you covered. With the company’s rigorous hiring process, KDCI only employs virtual assistants with the right skills and experience for your needs. Operating 24/7, this BPO ensures round-the-clock productivity and collaboration.
Upwork
Formerly known as Elance-oDesk, Upwork is a classic freelance platform for many nationalities, including Filipinos. Home to more than 18 million professionals, Upwork has become a fertile ground for remote job opportunities in various industries — including customer support, engineering, finance, and the like. Clients can also post job listings, purchase projects, and book expert consultations. With the ability to filter talent by location, you can specifically browse for Filipino virtual assistants that offer the service you need. Plus, there’s a dedicated “Hourly rate” filter, allowing you to find Filipino talent based on your budget. Hiring a dedicated virtual assistant for your business doesn’t take a lot of guesswork either, as you can check their profile, view their portfolio and work history, and conduct interviews in a few clicks. Thanks to Upwork’s secure payment system, you and your freelance virtual assistant can enjoy safe, worry-free transactions.
Virtual Staff Finder
Virtual Staff Finder (VSF) is an online platform created by Chris Ducker, the website’s CEO and founder. Since 2010, its clients have enjoyed reduced workload and increased free time for family bonding and key business activities. However, it’s important to note that the Virtual Staff Finder works differently from most freelance and remote work websites. Let’s say you’re looking for an experienced virtual assistant with customer service skills. First, you’ll sign up for a Virtual Staff Finder account and pay $595 for its one-off service fee. You’ll then receive a Job Description document from Virtual Staff Finder. In that document, write all the qualifications of your would-be virtual assistant. Then, Virtual Staff Finder will source candidates based on your requirements, which can take one to two weeks. Next, the platform conducts online tests and background checks of all candidates, following up with a face-to-face or phone interview until three candidates have been shortlisted. From here, you can interview all three candidates and select the right remote worker for your business. Despite the hefty one-off service fee and the long wait time for candidate sourcing, Virtual Staff Finder is a great choice for hiring and working with the most qualified virtual assistant talent.
OnlineJobs.ph
Founded by John Jonas and co-founded by Dan Goggins, OnlineJobs.ph grew into the platform it is today thanks to its humble origins. After Jonas and Goggins recruited a Filipino staff, they realized the life-changing effect of hiring workers from the Philippines; they could focus more on their business and spend time with their loved ones. Another realization hit the founders: More and more individuals are turning to Filipino workers for help. This leads them to create OnlineJobs.ph. This platform enables clients to recruit Filipino professionals through a job posting or a resume search. While account creation is free, the perks of your free account are limited unless you upgrade to the Pro and Premium tiers. For example — if you want to talk to a virtual assistant and check their reviews— you’ll have to purchase either of the paid tiers. However — unlike Virtual Staff Finder, the burden of candidate sourcing falls on your shoulders.
Virtual Coworker
Established by Braden Yuill, Virtual Coworker stands as another go-to virtual assistant company for Filipino workers. With its dedication to finding the perfect candidate for businesses, Virtual Coworker serves as a backdrop for developing long-term and fruitful professional relationships between clients and their Filipino staff. It is the perfect platform for business owners who value the talent and contributions of Filipino virtual assistants. The platform’s hiring process works similarly to Virtual Staff Finder. First, you schedule a free consultation with Virtual Coworker and specify what you’re looking for in a Filipino virtual assistant. Next, the website sources and shortlists candidates for you. Shortlisted applicants can then be tested or interviewed by you. Once the best candidate has been chosen, they will be onboarded into your business with the help of a customer success manager. If you don’t want to spend too much time sourcing virtual assistants, choose Virtual Coworker.
7 Virtual Assistant Services
With offices in India, the Philippines, and the United States, 7 Virtual Assistant Services brings local and overseas talent to overwhelmed businesses around the globe. As the name implies, the platform provides virtual assistant services in various niches, such as digital marketing, healthcare, and real estate. The best part about 7 Virtual Assistant Services is its commitment to client success, only partnering you with the most qualified Filipino virtual assistant to ensure they can accomplish all tasks with utmost care and precision. By requiring its virtual assistants to sign a non-disclosure agreement and undergo rigorous background checks, there’s no doubt that 7 Virtual Assistant Services is built with your safety and privacy in mind.
Pepper Virtual Assistants
Pepper Virtual Assistants, or Pepper VA, is a Philippine virtual assistant company with offices in Makati and Davao City. The platform employs college-educated Filipino virtual assistants with native-like English writing and verbal communication skills. They also know how to work with foreigners, bridging the cultural gap between your home country and the Philippines. VA rates vary according to the assistant’s skill and expertise, ranging from $600 to almost $2,000. This makes Pepper Virtual Assistants an attractive platform for small businesses with tight budgets.
FreeUP
Want only the best freelance virtual assistant for your team? FreeUp has you covered. Launched in 2015 by Nathan Hirsch and Connor Gillivan, this platform carries the brunt of screening freelancers, providing clients with a space where they can only work with the most reliable and talented Filipino virtual assistant. If this excites you, you must first submit a request containing the skills required for your project. In just 24 hours, FreeUP will recommend a virtual assistant that best matches your requirements. After interviewing your assigned virtual assistant and deeming them compatible with you, you can onboard your freelancer and enjoy a successful partnership.
Coconut VA
Coconut VA follows a tough screening process, with freelance virtual assistants undergoing a pre-qualifying exam, an initial interview, a client screening and interview, and a trial period to determine they’re the best for the job. As such, clients like you have access to skilled, high-performing virtual assistants who can adapt to your local time zone and drive growth to your business.
Wrapping up our list is every professional’s favorite website: LinkedIn. While LinkedIn is the odd-on-out in this roundup, we must not forget to look into our own network. This professional website is not just a place to find job opportunities and network with strangers, but also to scout for virtual assistant talent. Most professionals post on their feeds asking their network for candidate referrals to fill a vacant role. Chances are, these referrals are already vouched by their former employees, colleagues, and clients — increasing the likelihood of a successful hire. In addition, consider joining virtual assistant or freelance groups to find a potential hire, or even better, a BPO or virtual assistant company.
2 Red Flags to Look Out for When Hiring A Virtual Assistant Philippines
No matter how promising a Filipino VA is, staying grounded and watching out for red flags are the best ways to avoid bad hires.
1. Multiple Bad Reviews and Low Ratings
Bad reviews are a turn-off for clients. And bad reviews and low ratings mean one thing: The virtual assistant can’t do their job well. Steer clear of them and go for highly rated virtual assistants.
2. Unrealistic Outcomes and Questionable Credentials
Candidates put their best foot forward during interviews. Unfortunately, this can lead to applicants inflating their skills and promising unrealistic outcomes to impress you. If it’s too good to be true, or their portfolio and work history don’t reflect their current skills, it’s better to move on to the next candidate.
Hire the Right Virtual Assistant Today
Virtual assistant companies, Philippine BPO companies, and freelance platforms have opened opportunities for Filipino VAs and overseas clients to work together through a screen. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of vetting virtual assistants, we recommend working with KDCI. KDCI takes care of the hiring process, so you can have a team of qualified Filipino virtual assistants by your side. With the company leveraging technologies and conducting frequent training, you can count on KDCI to provide the best virtual assistant service for your business. Want to make your business goals into reality? Contact us today!
