Ultimate Guide to Hiring Virtual Assistants in the Philippines

The need for virtual assistants (VAs) who work remotely and offshore has been increasing for more than ten years and is still growing. For VAs based outside of the country where their employer is located, some of the most popular places to find these workers are in Asia (such as India, China, and Malaysia), South America (such as Brazil and Chile), and Eastern Europe (such as Bulgaria).

Out of all the options available, we believe that the Philippines is the best place for Western businesses to find virtual medical assistants to handle repetitive tasks. Keep reading to learn why the Philippines is a fantastic country to outsource VA work to!

Location and History of the Philippines

Let's take a closer look at the Philippines and why it is a great place to outsource your virtual assistant work to. The Philippines is a country consisting of more than 7,600 islands located in the Western Pacific Ocean. These islands are divided into three groups and are further subdivided into 17 regions and 81 provinces. The capital city, Manila, is situated on the largest island, Luzon. The country shares maritime borders with the South China, Philippine, and Celebes Seas and is located east of Vietnam, south of Taiwan, and north of Indonesia. The country's history is diverse, with prehistoric and early historic migrations leading to a variety of cultures. The Philippines was under Spanish, American, and Japanese governance before gaining independence in 1946. The country shares democratic values and has a predominantly Christian population due to Spanish influence. The Philippines is currently considered a developing country and emerging market, making it a great place for Western businesses to outsource their repeatable tasks to virtual assistants.

Understanding the Different Roles: Virtual Assistants, Administrative Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Customer Service Representatives

Now that we have gained more knowledge about the Philippines, let's discuss the duties of virtual assistants (VAs) and how they contrast with other support positions such as administrative assistants (AAs), personal assistants (PAs), and customer service representatives (CSRs).

It's important to know that VAs work remotely, communicating with clients through email, phone calls, and video conferencing. They provide virtual services such as creative, technical, and administrative assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs.

The types of tasks that VAs perform are similar to those of AAs and executive assistants in a traditional office setting. However, since they work remotely, they can assist clients from anywhere in the world.

Hiring a VA has a major advantage as they can carry out similar duties as a physical administrative or personal assistant but with reduced expenses. VAs can also be more flexible and available than an in-house employee since they are not limited by location. They usually specialize in one or two areas and can offer a broader range of skills and support services than a single AA or PA.

At The Virtual Hub, we have a team of expert VAs who specialize in various tasks such as customer service, telemarketing, lead generation, social media management, digital marketing, web design, graphic design, data entry, and internet research.

On the other hand, an administrative assistant usually works on-site for one company, providing secretarial and administrative support. A personal assistant usually works for an individual, providing both personal and professional support on-site. Lastly, customer service representatives typically work for a company either on-site or remotely, providing customer service and technical support through phone, email, and/or live chat.

Why the Philippines is a Prime Location for Outsourcing Virtual Assistants

Now that we have explained the role of virtual assistants, let's examine why the Philippines is a prime location for finding them.

English Competency in the Philippines

The high English literacy rate and overall competence with the English language among the population of the Philippines make it an appealing source for virtual assistants. The introduction of English to the Philippines dates back to the early 1900s when the United States was governing the country. They introduced free, public education, which was taught in English, and this led to the language taking root in the country. English was declared an official language along with Filipino in the 1980s, and it is now taught to Filipinos from primary school, resulting in a vast majority of the population being able to speak and understand the language.

In addition, the influence of the United States has resulted in Filipinos consuming a lot of Western media, which is easily accessible in the digital age. Consequently, many Filipinos are not only fluent in English, but they also speak it with an accent similar to that of Westerners. This proficiency in English is one of the key reasons why the Philippines is currently a hotspot for virtual assistant services, as communication between Westerners and Filipinos is relatively easy.

Cultural Influences of Western Colonization

The Philippines was colonized by both Spain and the United States for around 400 years. This prolonged period of direct Western influence has had a lasting impact on Filipino culture. For instance, the Philippines has the largest Christian population in Asia with 90% of the population being Christian, mostly Roman Catholic. This is a result of several centuries of Spanish occupation.

Moreover, Filipinos have been exposed to Western media, especially American media, since the early 1900s. While they still uphold their traditional folk culture, Western influences have heavily influenced pop culture in the Philippines.

The educational system in the Philippines was modeled after the American education system, established by a group of American teachers in the 1950s. This means that American employers can easily comprehend the education levels of Filipinos, as they are similar to those in the United States.

Positive Cultural Traits of Filipinos for Virtual Assistant Industry

There are various factors that make Filipinos and Westerners a good match for working together in the virtual assistant industry. Filipinos value teamwork, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, and they are often resourceful and creative. However, they are also humble and may be hesitant to speak up. To encourage their input, it may be necessary to remind them that their opinions are valued.

Filipinos are known for their hospitality, friendly nature, and love of celebrations. They often enjoy large gatherings with their friends and family for special occasions like holidays and birthdays. These cultural traits can make working with Filipinos a positive and enjoyable experience.

Overcoming Time Zone Differences in the Virtual Assistant Industry

The United States is the largest buyer of outsourcing services from the Philippines, making up more than 80% of the Philippines’ outsourcing market. However, there is a significant time difference of 10-12 hours between the two countries, which varies depending on the region and time zone of the U.S. business.

Some U.S. business owners choose to outsource to the Philippines so that their team members can work while they are sleeping. Others hire team members in the Philippines to work during opposite hours, extending the operation hours for their clients. However, it is becoming more common for U.S. business owners and virtual assistants in the Philippines to work together during the same daytime hours in North America. This is possible because the virtual assistant positions in the Philippines offer competitive pay, which has led to the emergence of a night shift culture to meet the demands of U.S. businesses.

For instance, The Virtual Hub offers dedicated virtual assistants who work in equipped offices, providing 24-hour services to meet the scheduling needs of clients.

Government Support for Outsourcing Services in the Philippines

The Philippines has seen a fast expansion of outsourcing services, such as virtual assistants, due in part to the government recognizing the potential for industry growth and the economic benefits that would come with it.

To facilitate this growth, the government passed the Special Economic Zone Act in 1995, which made it easier for businesses to provide services and offer tax incentives to foreign investors. Moreover, the government sponsors university courses to train workers in virtual business processes and related topics as the industry continues to grow.

However, navigating the Filipino labor laws can be a challenge for business owners. To avoid concerns, small business owners can hire multiple virtual assistants and talented Filipino workers through outsourcing agencies or virtual assistant companies that specialize in managing labor law compliance.

Cost Savings with Offshore Outsourcing: Hiring Virtual Assistants from the Philippines

Offshore outsourcing is a strategy that many businesses use to save money by hiring workers from other countries to complete tasks that would otherwise be done by local employees.One of the main advantages of hiring a virtual assistant is the considerable cost savings, since companies don't have to provide equipment, benefits, and other expenses associated with hiring a local employee or contractor.

In countries that are considered "less developed," such as the Philippines, the cost of living is much lower than in Western countries. This means that business owners who hire virtual assistants from the Philippines can save between 60-80% on wages, while still providing these workers with competitive wages and rewarding work.

For example, an experienced virtual assistant in the Philippines who performs basic administrative tasks, data entry, and web development may earn between $10-14 per hour. In comparison, the same quality of work performed by a local employee in the business owner's home country might cost between $25-50 an hour. Despite the lower wages, the salary of a Filipino virtual assistant is on par with professional positions in fields such as healthcare and education.

Access to an Educated and Skilled Talent Pool: Hiring Virtual Assistants from the Philippines

The Philippines has a young and well-educated population, with around 450,000 university students graduating each year. The government in the Philippines supports educational initiatives and endorses the importance of education in the industry, resulting in Filipinos becoming tech-savvy and proficient in navigating the digital world.

Many people wrongly assume that offshoring to the Philippines only provides basic skills. This is not true. While hiring virtual assistants to perform basic tasks is a popular solution for businesses, the Philippines also has specialist VAs and higher-level professional service support. One advantage of looking for virtual assistance in the Philippines is that businesses have access to a much larger talent pool compared to a domestic search, allowing them to find the best person to add to their team.

Considerations and Risks When Outsourcing to the Philippines

The Philippines has a large population of young and well-educated people, with about 450,000 university students graduating each year. The government in the Philippines promotes education and technology, making Filipinos proficient in navigating the digital world.

Contrary to popular belief, offshoring to the Philippines provides access to a wide range of skilled virtual assistants with various expertise. One benefit of looking for virtual assistants in the Philippines is that businesses can access a larger talent pool, allowing them to find the best person to add to their team.

Filipinos value keeping the peace and may say "yes" to a request even if they have doubts or concerns. This can lead to miscommunication and uncertainty, particularly if a task is not completed as expected or a deadline is missed. To avoid this, it is recommended to encourage open communication and feedback between the virtual assistant and the business owner.

There is a potential risk of virtual assistants taking advantage of the economic disparity between their home country and the business owner's country. Some virtual workers may solicit additional funds or use difficult situations as an excuse for poor performance. To avoid this, it is important to hire virtual assistants through a reputable virtual staffing company that provides competitive wages and benefits and has policies in place to prevent solicitation.

Lastly, it is important to maintain a professional relationship with the virtual assistant and avoid blurring the lines between personal and professional relationships. While getting to know the virtual assistant on a personal level is encouraged, it is important to set boundaries to ensure a productive and professional working relationship.

Philippine Culture and Fun Facts

When considering adding a virtual team member from the Philippines, it's important to have some knowledge of the country's unique culture and characteristics. Despite being a geographically small nation, the Philippines is the 13th most populous country in the world, with estimates indicating that there are around 182 different ethnic groups residing in the country. Additionally, over 120 distinct languages are spoken throughout the nation, along with hundreds of dialects.

The Philippines is also home to two of the world's top 10 largest shopping malls, making it a destination for those who love shopping. The country is also a hub for discovering new animal species, with 15 new mammal species being identified in the past decade alone.

Interestingly, it's believed that U.S. soldiers who were stationed in the Philippines during World War II brought back the terms "boondocks" and "boonies" from the Filipino (Tagalog) word "bundok," which means mountain.

Finally, the Philippines is famous for having the world's longest Christmas celebrations, beginning as soon as the "ber" months roll around and lasting until the Feast of Three Kings in January. This prolonged season includes playing Christmas carols as early as September, making the Philippines a festive and exciting place to be during the holiday season.

Conclusion: The Philippines as a Top Global Choice for Hiring Virtual Assistants

The Philippines is a great option for entrepreneurs seeking to hire a virtual administrative assistant for their business. Filipinos are known to have exceptional proficiency in English, as well as technical skills and a commendable work ethic, which together make them the top choice for virtual assistants globally.