You want your business to expand, but you need to do it affordably and effectively. Enter, talented virtual assistants based in the Philippines. Compared to their US counterparts, they help growing businesses expand, while significantly saving on overhead.

Of course, if you’re new to the VA-business relationship we understand you have questions. Here, our team talks the pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant abroad.

Key Points: 

• In a post-pandemic world, we’ve witnessed a paradigm shift in the hiring landscape. Growing businesses have the liberty to source talented workers from practically anywhere in the world!
• Access to a diverse talent pool, lower labor costs, and round-the-clock service are a few of the notable perks. Yet, it’s not an outright win-win. 
• Some businesses find that training and managing a VA from the Philippines can require more time and effort compared to a local employee. (Don’t worry, we help guide you through every step of the assistant onboarding process.)
• There are things to consider with any new hire regardless of location. Virtual Assistants from the Philippines are known for their adaptability, loyalty, reliability, and ability to learn new tasks quickly. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to contact us. 

Global Growth: The Virtual Assistant Phenomenon

Green energy, electric cars, and AI technology might be trending, but the true revolution is taking place in the digital labor market.

In the past, businesses were largely confined to hiring professionals located within the same geographical borders. But that’s no longer the case. Post-Covid, we’ve witnessed a paradigm shift in the hiring landscape. Today, companies have the liberty to source skills from virtually anywhere in the world! The phenomenon of virtual assistants from places such as the Philippines is a testament to this change.

The advantages of hiring across borders are many. A few notable perks include access to a diverse talent pool, lower labor costs, and round-the-clock service. Yet, it’s not an outright win-win situation. There is a multitude of possible difficulties you could face if you don’t carefully choose a new hire – language barriers, cultural differences, and complications arising from different time zones are just a few examples. 

Nevertheless, companies like Philippine VA Pros help companies navigate this new hiring landscape successfully. With the right guidance & support, you can ensure your virtual assistant not only works but excels, thereby accelerating your business growth. 

Having said that, let’s step back and take a closer look at hiring virtual assistants abroad—the pros, the cons, and how to successfully navigate this game-changing trend. 

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons of Hiring Virtual Assistants Abroad

Hiring virtual assistants can unlock an array of benefits for businesses and individuals looking to delegate tasks and streamline efficiencies. As much as there are benefits, it would be remiss to overlook the challenges that might come with hiring abroad. 

By appreciating and understanding both the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision that best suits your specific needs. 

The Pros of Hiring Virtual Assistants from the Philippines 

We believe opting for foreign virtual assistants opens up a world of opportunities for hiring! 

First, it often comes with a significant cost advantage compared to hiring locally. The cost of living in the Philippines is much lower, meaning you might obtain equivalent or even superior services for less cost. 

Secondly, the diverse pool of talent available internationally in the Philippines can bring a unique and innovative perspective to your business here in the States. This diversity can lead to improved solutions, broadening your horizon, and fostering creativity as you continue to scale your company. 

Virtual assistants from the Philippines are often fluent in English,
as it is one of the country’s official languages.

Beyond this, hiring internationally allows your business to run almost round-the-clock. Delegating tasks to VAs in another time zone can mean your business keeps humming even when you’re off the clock. 

Another pro to enlisting talented assistants abroad is that you are giving back and strengthening their local community too. These quality jobs are now brought to workers who otherwise wouldn’t have had the same opportunity. While the hourly rates may be lower compared to US compensation, the pay there is truly impactful. When you hire Philippine VA pros, you keep families together while building your work family. 

Philippine virtual assistants are known for their
strong work ethic and dedication to their jobs.

The Potential Cons of Hiring a VA Abroad 

Despite the plusses, hiring virtual assistants from abroad may also have some drawbacks. Depending on the country, you may experience language and cultural barriers that can sometimes pose communication challenges. If not managed skilfully, this may lead to misunderstanding and errors. (Thankfully, our VAs speak English fluently and are in constant communication with you.)

Training and managing a virtual assistant from the Philippines
may require more time and effort compared to a local employee.

While having a team scattered across the globe can ensure continued business operation, it can also result in timezone differences that complicate scheduling and coordination. This requires extra effort to accommodate disparate work hours, and sometimes important real-time discussions could be problematic due to time differences. 

This is a question we frequently are asked, and while our assistants reside in PHT, they work on the timetable you outlined in your job description. As part of your expanding business, they truly care about getting the job done – when you need it. 

Businesses may face legal and tax implications when hiring virtual assistants from the Philippines, depending on the nature of the employment relationship.

Lastly, security is another crucial point to consider. When sensitive data is handled by VAs located overseas, ensuring proper training and strict adherence to cybersecurity best practices is essential. We suggest you work with local IT professionals to help keep your client’s data secure no matter where your remote staff may be located. 

Balancing the Pros and Cons of a New VA

VAs from the Philippines are known for their adaptability, loyalty, reliability, and ability to learn new tasks quickly. But there are things to consider with any new hire regardless of location.

The key is to weigh the benefits and challenges when considering hiring an overseas VA. If the pros outweigh the cons and the costs involved in mitigating the challenges are manageable, this can be a pivotal decision in maximizing the benefits of your growing business. With careful planning and thorough evaluation, the path to successful international virtual assistant hiring can be fruitful. Contact our recruiting team to see the impact a VA from the Philippines can have on your productivity and bottom line!