Companies hire virtual assistants to handle the spill-over or excess tasks that are labelled as non-essential. While delegating work to a VA comes with cost benefits, the primary reason is largely convenience. You might be wondering if this advantage remains true when you’re hiring a virtual assistant in the Philippines.

The biggest worry most employers have about working with a Filipino VA is the fear they might do something wrong due to differences in culture or beliefs. A supervisor won’t be present to immediately correct them and deal with repercussions, which may cause problems to escalate.

Let us reassure you that there are plenty of fish in the sea or, in this case, the labour market. One bad story doesn’t mean that all Filipino assistants are like that. You’ll find that the benefits outweigh the risks when hiring a VA in the Philippines.

Why hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines

1 – They aren’t beginners

Filipinos have long been initiated in BPO. Many of them have worked with foreign clients before so they know what it takes. They’re capable of adjusting to differences in time zones while making sure to meet deadlines, among other dynamic requirements of outsourcing.

2 – They are agreeable

They have a non-confrontational culture so they tend to agree to whatever you ask them to do. It’s not natural for a virtual assistant in the Philippines to ask questions. Though they aren’t vocal about their opinions, they have a great eye for detail thereby enabling them to perform their tasks efficiently.

3 – They are proficient

According to Statista, the Philippines is among the leading countries in offshore business services in the world in 2021. The five best locations for outsourcing are Makati, Ortigas Center, Cebu, Bonifacio Global City, and Angeles. Many overseas clients have been working with Filipinos for years due to their proficiency.

4 – They are positive-thinking

While the Philippines isn’t the happiest country in the world, they rank third in the happiest countries in Asia. This is due to their quality to see the brighter side of life, even when they encounter a problem. They spare you from dealing with drama queens and other toxic personalities in your team.

5 – They are hardworking

They’re known to give their best when they work that overtime is common in local companies. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are known to go above and beyond the scope of their jobs. They’re conditioned to keep up with the pace of their Western counterparts.

6 – They are loyal

A virtual assistant in the Philippines will stay in your company for years to come, as long as you treat them well. Pay them the appropriate virtual assistant Philippines salary and give them opportunities to bond with their teammates. They tend to become loyal to people who show them favour.

7 – They are fluent

Though their official language is Tagalog, their primary medium of instruction is English especially in schools. Most Filipinos are bilingual their whole life and their proficiency groups them with countries such as Estonia and Norway. Western influence is also strong due to history, culture, and education.

8 – They are cost-effective

Virtual assistants are more affordable than onsite employees, in general. Virtual assistant Philippines salary is even more inexpensive than those from other Asian locations but they are worth it. Labour costs in the country are just low compared to first-world nations.

9 – They are educated

Due to economic differences between the Western world and the Philippines, many Filipino VAs have a college degree. There are plenty of public schools here and fees are always reasonable. Even tuition for university is able to be paid off on a part-time salary in a major city.

What to assign to a virtual assistant in the Philippines

As you’re now aware of the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant in the Philippines, you may be unsure what you may delegate to them. Let us give you some examples of tasks that you might assign to a VA in the PH.

Finance and accounting

• Bookkeeping
• Accounts payable
• Accounting

Digital marketing

• Email marketing
• Search engine optimisation
• Social media paid ads
• Video marketing
• Pay-per-click campaigns

Human resources

• Incident reporting
• Job description writing
• Job interviews
• Staff database updating
• Recruitment ads execution

Sales support

• Appointment setting
• Data clearing
• CRM management
• Telemarketing
• Appointment setting

Administration

• Staff, suppliers, and clients liaising
• General administration
• Database management
• Diary management
• Reports and presentations

Customer care

• Technical support
• Live chat management
• Email and phone support

Creative support

• Video editing
• Web design
• Copywriting
• Content creation
• Graphic design

Web development

• Function testing
• Custom coding
• Site building
• Software development
• IT help desk support

How to hire a virtual assistant in the Philippines

The process of choosing the right VA from the PH is long and complicated. Not only do you have to review their application letter and resume but you also have to arrange for video interviews. Negotiations regarding the salary is going to take up time and effort too.

Simplify your recruitment with the help of Remote Workmate. We specialise in offshore staffing, especially for candidates in the Philippines. We’ll find an online professional who meets your specific requirements and needs, if you let us.