The Philippines has just surpassed the United States as the world’s leading provider of outsourcing services. When you think about it, this is not that shocking. When it comes to English literacy, the Philippines is light years ahead of other outsourcing powerhouses such as India and China.
According to a 2015 UNESCO report, the Philippines has a literacy rate of 98.22 percent, which is absolutely remarkable. English is also a required subject in all levels of education in the Philippines, from elementary to college. This provides Filipino remote employees with excellent English communication abilities. And it is because of this trait that Filipinos are so enticed by outsourcing.
In fact, Time Doctor’s CEO, Rob Rawson, has publicly said that the company’s success would not have been possible without the assistance of Filipino virtual assistants.
Without further ado, let’s discuss why you should and how you can hire a good virtual assistant from the Philippines.
Where to Find & Hire a Filipino Virtual Assistant?
It is best to seek the assistance of a provider of virtual assistant recruiting services. This method is quicker, more dependable, and more efficient. Hiring an inept VA may be disastrous, so be cautious.
Here are the finest websites for discovering and recruiting Filipino virtual assistants who can meet your needs and demands:
- Virtual Coworker – an offshoring service that provides Virtual Assistants to businesses based in Australia and the USA.
- Outsourced.ph – exclusively serves small to medium-sized businesses.
- Awesomarky.com– offers personal referrals from different top freelancing groups in the Philippines. One of the most reliable.
- Virtual Staff Finder – links small businesses or entrepreneurs with experienced Filipino virtual assistants.
- Onlinejobs.ph – the largest job site for Filipino employees who seek remote working opportunities.
- Outsourcely – allows you to directly contact and hire your employee through their built-in communication tools.
- VirtualStaff.ph – a job board for Filipinos who work exclusively at home so you can get competitive rates.
What Interview Questions Should You Ask?
Once you’ve compiled a list of qualified prospects, it’s time to decide which of them to recruit. Don’t be satisfied with simply comparing their profiles on job boards or the resumes they provide you. It is critical that you perform a comprehensive interview with each of them.
Here are important questions you should never fail to ask:
Background Questions
These questions are designed to provide you with a basic sense of who the candidate is as a professional and as a person. Some examples of questions are:
- “Do you already have another job? If so, where are you working and how many hours do you spend on the job?”
- “What is your favorite way to communicate?”
- “Will you work from home or from an Internet café?”
Skill Questions
These questions are designed to determine how good a prospect is at doing what you want him or her to accomplish. Some examples of questions are:
- “What do you consider your core skills and services? Which ones are outside your scope?”
- “On a scale from 1 to 10, can you rate your ‘XYZ’ skills?”
- “Can send me three examples of your best work?”
Teamwork Questions
These questions can help you determine whether the prospect is a suitable match for your current team. Some examples of questions are:
- “Have you ever proactively addressed a client’s need? If so, how did you manage the situation?”
- “How do you manage relationships with difficult team members?”
“Have you worked for foreign employers before?”
What Type of Interview Should You Conduct?
There are often just two sorts of interviews to select from, and choosing the wrong one may result in you not hiring the greatest candidate. When looking to recruit a virtual assistant from the Philippines, there are two sorts of interviews you may perform.
Video Call Interview
This is excellent if you’re looking for a virtual assistant who is fluent in English. After all, you’d like to watch the candidate in action. It will be similar to trying a product and then deciding whether or not to buy it.
Voice Call Interview
This is better if you do not want your virtual assistant to be fluent in English, such as a web developer or graphic designer. Many people in these occupations are not comfortable with video calls, which may lead you to underestimate their talents if you speak with them on video.
How Much Should You Pay Your Filipino Virtual Assistant?
There is no set salary that should be paid to all virtual assistants. Salary should be determined by the following factors:
- Skillset and skill level
- Relevant experience
- Job role
That doesn’t imply you can establish any compensation you want. Many well-established organizations utilize the following wage range when recruiting Filipino virtual assistants:
- General Virtual Assistant (GVA): $500 – $800
- Content Writers: $500 – $700
- SEO Virtual Assistant: $750- $950
- Web Developers: $800- $1400
- Graphic Designers: $700 – $1200
- Mobile Developers: $800 – $1400
Keep in mind that this bracket is only a guide. You can still set salaries beyond it.
What Skill Should You Look for in a Virtual Assistant?
You can only truly gauge a VA’s capabilities once he/she has started working for you. Set up a 2-week trial period to make sure your new VA is a good fit before committing to a long-term partnership.
Here are some of the important skills you should look for in your new virtual assistant:
- has the ability to follow instructions
- takes the initiative
- has the ability to meet deadlines
- is a keen learner
Conclusion
Hiring a virtual assistant from the Philippines might help you save money while also improving the quality of your job. Hiring the appropriate VA may do wonders for your organization, especially if you’re a small firm that could profit greatly from any type of savings.
