Filipinos have managed to dominate almost every niche and discipline that they put their heart into. This includes the world of remote work as well. Due to this, offshore staffing agencies in the Philippines have observed a surge in demand over the past several years.

Not all Filipino virtual assistants are created the same, however.

While some are truly proficient at what they do, others may simply be riding the wave of success brought about by their talented precursors without the skills to back up their claims. Meaning, just because they have some experience as a VA and are from the Philippines, it doesn’t always mean they’re the most suitable choice.

There’s also the risk of your best applicant ghosting on you because another company gave them a better offer. This might pressure you to fill that role with the first candidate who seems “good enough” but ends up being a bad hire. Be careful because employing the wrong person is going to cost you—a lot.

Would you like to know the difference between a remote worker that should be turned out and one that’s worth keeping? Here are the signs that you avoided messing up your recruitment and actually hit the jackpot.

They’re good communicators

You can tell an exceptional VA from a mediocre one based on their ability to communicate. Not only do they respond quickly to your messages and questions but also they keep you updated on what they’re working on. There’s no need to constantly chase them since they volunteer information themselves.

They’re English proficient

Unless they specialise in content or customer service, they don’t even need perfect grammar. They must have strong enough command of English that you can quickly and easily understand what they’re saying though. If you have to ask them to repeat their words every time, team productivity will falter.

They’re reliable

Being that you’re likely hundreds of miles away from your virtual assistant, they must be capable of doing their job well with minimal supervision. They know the difference in time zones if there is any. They also know fully well what their working hours are, and will log in during those times.

They’re hardworking

Overtime is commonplace in Philippine-based companies as locals are known to give their all at work. Even overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are recognised for going above and beyond what they’re assigned to do. If the VA you hired possesses this trait, they are definitely a keeper.

They’re experienced

Consider more than just their previous roles and the things they did there. It’s more important that they have experience working remotely. Working from home is vastly different from working in an office as it requires different traits and skills, including initiative and communication.

They’re culturally adaptable

In general, Filipinos are flexible towards both Western and Eastern cultures thanks to a long history of colonisation and the strong influence of Chinese communities and the Korean wave. Someone who is knowledgeable about current affairs or the buzz on the web is often a good worker.

They’re positive in disposition

Everyone has their good and bad days, even people who are known for always seeing the brighter side of life. When they’re capable of bouncing back despite hitting a snag in their plans, they’re more likely to rub off their optimistic mindset on you and the rest of your team.

They’re ingenious

An excellent virtual assistant doesn’t just listen to instructions but can provide suggestions of their own as well. They point out ways to make your organisation more efficient, come up with novel approaches to problem-solving, and give feedback on your decisions.

They’re loyal

Based on their previous work history, are they known to stay with companies or clients for as long as they can? You won’t want a person who’ll disappear without warning or resign after a few months to fill a full-time role. Strive to keep the person who values good relationships with co-workers and employers.

They’re willing to learn

In many cases, it’s not always about who has the most years on their resume. A fresh graduate may exhibit the same level of passion as a veteran. An expert who recently shifted from office to remote work may be as knowledgeable as any experienced VA so see if they are willing and excited to hone their skills.

Filipinos Make Good Virtual Assistants

Filipinos generally make excellent VAs as they tend to possess the top qualities that great hires share, such as being responsive, competent, and driven. This doesn’t always mean that they’ll be a perfect fit for the role that you are trying to fill. You want someone who stands above even these amazing remote assistants, after all.

Remote Workmate can help you with finding the best virtual assistant for your needs. We create and publish listings on our website for offshore staff to apply to. Then, we handle the initial screening including the initial interview. We make sure to endorse only candidates who pass your high standards.