Filipino Virtual Assistants have become one of the most sought-after professionals in the Philippines. Many people, espeVitcially those who are based in the United States and Canada, are hiring Filipinos as their virtual assistants to help with personal tasks, such as managing their social media accounts, handling their emails and more.
There are many benefits to hiring a Filipino VA. Not only do they have a strong work ethic but they also tend to be extremely efficient at completing tasks quickly without wasting time or resources.
However, not all Filipino Virtual Assistants are created equal; there are some who are truly efficient and others who just don’t quite get it. Here’s what you need to know about hiring a Filipino virtual assistant:
1) The Importance Of Communication Skills
Communication is key when it comes to working with a Filipino VA because it allows them to understand your needs and priorities better than anyone else can. This is essential if you want your virtual assistant to be able to deliver results that will meet your standards and expectations on time.
2) Don’t Expect Them To Be Your Personal Assistant
While some Filipinos may be able to perform tasks like taking care of your bills or paying your rent in exchange for money or gifts, this should not be expected. When you hire a Filipino VA, you need to let them know what kind of work you would like them to handle, and what you expect from them.
3) Be Upfront With Them About The Work You Need Done
Hiring a Filipino virtual assistant can be a great way to make your life easier, but you need to be clear about what the job entails. Many virtual assistants are hired by people who need help with basic tasks, such as scheduling appointments and scheduling social media posts.
While this can be a huge help, you will have to be willing to pay for such services. Be upfront about the work you need done by your Filipino virtual assistant, and be prepared to pay for it.
4) Do A Trial Run First
Don’t hire a Filipino Virtual Assistant and then immediately hand over all of the work you need done. Instead, you should start off with a trial run; this will allow you to determine if they are the right person for the job.
5) Be Aware Of The Time Difference
Keep in mind that the time difference between North America and the Philippines is often eight hours. This means that if you need your Filipino virtual assistant to work on something immediately, even as early as 9 pm, they will be asleep and unable to work on it. Of course, if you need something done in the morning, you will have to be patient.
6) Keep Your Expectations In Check
The fact is that the majority of Filipino virtual assistants are not going to be able to handle the same tasks that you would expect from a personal assistant, such as booking travel plans and making appointments. You are going to have to be ready to pay them well if you want to hire a Filipino virtual assistant who can assist with these tasks in addition to the more common ones.
7) Keep Track Of Your Work
Filipino virtual assistants are not going to be able to remember everything about your business, so you might want to keep a log of the work they complete and the services they provide. You will want to review the log from time to time to make sure their services are being paid for, but also to keep track of the work they do and to make sure that you feel comfortable having them work for you.
9) Be Prepared To Be Flexible
There are bound to be times when you want your Filipino Virtual Assistant to do things immediately and they are not able to do it. Don’t get upset if this happens; ike any professional, they have a right to a day off or even sick days. Just make sure you have an updated schedule of your availability.
10) Be Prepared To Work With Your Filipino Virtual Assistant
Your Filipino Virtual Assistant will not be able to do everything all of the time. While there are some virtual assistants who are truly amazing and efficient, some may need to work with you to complete the work you want done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your Filipino Virtual Assistant; in fact, you might want to ask for their input on how to make their job easier, and what you can do to help them.
Conclusion
Hiring a Filipino Virtual Assistant can be a great way to make your life easier and to save time and money. Just be sure not to expect too much from them, and to be clear about what you need done by them. Also, try to keep in mind that your Filipino VA and you might need to work together like a team in order to make sure that the work gets done.
If you want to find a reputable provider of Filipino Virtual Assistants, AGS is one of the best place to go to. Like others, their staff is composed of many Filipinos who are young and dynamic. However, what is most impressive about AGS is the level of support and guidance they offer their clients.
This is especially important for clients who are new to hiring Filipino virtual assistants, as it ensures that you will be able to ask your questions, get answers and more. Contact them now.
