Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great way to outsource tasks and free up your time. But what if you want to hire a VA from a different country?
Hiring a virtual assistant offshore can be a cost-effective solution, as you can often find qualified candidates who are willing to work for lower rates. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when hiring a VA offshore, such as communication, time zone differences, and cultural differences.
One of the first things you need to do when hiring a VA offshore is research different platforms and websites where you can find candidates. Upwork and Fiverr are two popular platforms that allow you to hire virtual assistants from different countries.
Luckily our Virtual Assistant from Apex Assistants do have profiles on those three platforms to get you set up.
Once you have found some potential candidates, it’s important to look for Virtual Assistant Services like Apex Assistants to thoroughly screen them before making a hire. They will free up most of your time and do the checking of their work history, education, and references to make sure your potential VA has the skills and experience you need to run your business.
Communication is key when hiring a VA offshore. When you get your VA from a Virtual Assistant Services Company like Apex they will give you a dedicated Client Services Manager that will set up clear communication guidelines, including regular check-ins, to ensure that they are on the same page and that tasks are being completed as expected.
Though you might still need to check on them once in a while to ensure clear instructions for productivity. Email, chat, and video conferencing are all ways to stay in touch, but you should be prepared for there to be a time delay due to the different time zones.
One of the biggest challenges of hiring a VA offshore is dealing with time zone differences. To overcome this, it’s important to schedule meetings and deadlines in a way that works for both parties. This may mean having some early morning or late night calls, but it will be worth it to ensure that work is getting done in a timely manner.
Cultural differences can also be an issue when hiring a VA offshore. To avoid any misunderstandings, it’s important to be aware of and respectful of cultural differences. You may also want to consider hiring a VA from a country with a similar culture to your own like the Philippines, as this can make communication and collaboration easier.
When it comes to legal considerations, it’s also important to have a clear contract in place that outlines the terms of your agreement and the responsibilities of both parties to ensure a smooth working relationship with you and your VA. Apex Assistants can do just that.
We sent out contracts for both parties for clarity and security of each client and VA.
In conclusion, hiring a virtual assistant offshore can be a cost-effective solution for outsourcing tasks and freeing up your time.
However, there are some challenges to consider, but it can be resolved if you will get a VA from a reputable Virtual Assistants Services as they will be doing the research, screening candidates, setting up clear communication guidelines, and being aware of legal considerations, while you on the other end can make the most of your offshore VA and benefit from the expertise and skills that they bring to your business.
Looking for a reputable Virtual Assistant Services to help you in your business? We can help. Just hop on a Discovery Call from one of our Client Services Specialists for free so we can find you the best Offshore VA to leverage your business.