Want To Be A Filipino Virtual Assistant? Here’s My Personal Hiring Tips

Hey there, future (or current) Virtual Assistant.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably dreaming of joining the ranks of successful Filipino virtual assistants who are killing it in the global market.

I’ve hired tons of people in the Philippines since I started to do online work, and the main keys to success are dedication & specialization.

I’ve seen thousands of VAs come and go across various industries: SEO, secretary roles, development, and even super niche video production. I know what makes employers tick, what they’re looking for, and most importantly, what makes them hit that “hire” button.

This isn’t some fluffy, feel-good guide. And what tips I give here will not be achievable overnight. But if you really want to get better and stand out, here are my tips.

Why Filipino VAs are Taking Over the World

Let’s start with some real talk: Filipino VAs are in high demand, and for good reason. You’ve got the work ethic, the English skills, and that famous Filipino hospitality that clients love. But here’s the kicker – the market is getting more competitive by the day, especially as the word gets out that you can make a very solid living working remotely. You can’t just show up and expect jobs to fall into your lap anymore (not like that ever happened, but I’m being dramatic to make a point).

The good news? There’s still plenty of opportunity. It’s just harder. The good news is you’ll get paid more though. Classic supply and demand.

What Does a VA Actually Do?

First things first – let’s clear up what a VA actually does. If you think it’s all about answering emails and scheduling appointments, you’re living in the past, my friend.

Today’s VAs are digital Swiss Army knives (which is why specialization is so important). You might be:

  • Managing social media accounts
  • Doing data entry and analysis
  • Handling customer service like a boss
  • Creating killer content
  • Designing graphics that pop
  • Managing entire projects from start to finish
  • Bookkeeping and financial management
  • And about a million other things

The key? Adaptability. The most successful VAs I’ve seen are the ones who can juggle multiple skills and aren’t afraid to learn new ones on the go. If a client asks if you can do something, your default answer should be “I can learn!”

Before even getting the job, you should know you don’t need to be perfect to land a job. Introductory VA jobs are very much available. They’ll pay lower, and your choice of employer might not be the most secure, but it’s a good opportunity to specialize and start mastering some skills

What You Need to Bring to the Table

Hard Skills

Basic computer literacy is the bare minimum. You shouldn’t have to learn the basics on the job. You should be learning the more advanced things while you work. Even for general VA positions, you should know how to use everyday tools like:

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) – master these!
  • New AI Tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity)
  • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
  • Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
  • Communication tools (Slack, Zoom, Skype)
  • Basic troubleshooting skills (trust me, clients love a VA who can fix their own tech issues)

Remember, the more tools you can use proficiently, the more valuable you become.

Soft Skills

Here’s where many VAs fall short, and it’s actually the main reason I’ve let go of staff in the past. Technical skills can be taught, but soft skills? That’s what separates the average from the exceptional.

If you aren’t on top of your game, you will be left behind. This isn’t a Filipino-specific thing but rather an online work skill that is the reason many companies don’t like to hire online. Skills are one thing, but if you can’t keep up with work, stay attentive, and show you can be trusted, it’s never going to work.

Focus on developing:

  • Time management: Can you juggle multiple clients and deadlines without dropping the ball?
  • Communication: Are you proactive in updating clients, or do they always have to chase you?
  • Problem-solving: When stuff hits the fan (and it will), can you think on your feet?
  • Cultural awareness: Can you adapt your style to work with clients from different backgrounds?
  • Initiative: Can you anticipate needs before the client even realizes them?
  • Attention to detail: Typos, missed deadlines, and careless errors are VA career killers

These aren’t just nice-to-haves. In my experience, these soft skills are often the deciding factor between candidates. I would much rather hire someone with less experience (for the vast majority of jobs) than

Building Your VA Foundation

  1. Education and Training

I’m not going to tell you that you need a fancy degree to be a VA, because that is COMPLETELY wrong. Most employers hiring a VA online don’t care about degrees. They just want hard + soft skills. But continuous learning? That’s non-negotiable.

Here’s a good game plan:

  • Take online courses in your areas of interest (Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare)
  • Get certifications that matter in your niche (Google Analytics, HubSpot Inbound Marketing, etc.)
  • Attend webinars and virtual conferences (if these actually help you, if not they’re a waste of time)
  • Practice, practice, practice – apply what you learn to real-world scenarios

Again, this isn’t specific to Filipino VA’s. This is how anyone gets good at anything. But now when you have a technical aspect to it, you have to keep making yourself better.

Create mock projects. The VAs who stand out are those who can show, not just tell, what they’ve learned. I always ask applicants to show me what they’ve done in the past (or who they have worked for).

  1. Creating Your Online Presence

In this digital age, if you’re not online, you might as well be invisible. Here’s how to create a killer online presence:

  • Create a professional LinkedIn profile (and actually use it!)
  • Start a simple website showcasing your skills and projects
  • Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com, not hot123@email.com)
  • Consider starting a blog to showcase your expertise
  • Create profiles on freelancing platforms (more on this later)

Many employers will spend a minute or two on your application and profile, that’s it. You need to cut to the chase, show what will make you look better than others, and run with it.

Remember, your online presence is likely a client’s only impression of you. Nothing else.

Finding Your Niche in Specialization vs. Generalization

Here’s a question I get a lot: “Should I be a generalist VA or specialize in something specific?” The answer? It depends.

Generalist Pros:

  • More job opportunities
  • Variety in your work
  • Easier to pivot if you get bored

Generalist Cons:

  • More competition
  • Very likely to be paid lower rates
  • Harder to position yourself as an expert

Specialist Pros:

  • Higher rates
  • Less competition
  • Easier to market yourself
  • Deeper expertise = more value for clients

Specialist Cons:

  • Fewer job opportunities
  • More time it takes to get there

My advice? Start as a generalist to get a feel for different tasks, then gradually specialize in areas you enjoy and excel at. Some hot specialties right now:

  • Social media management
  • Content creation and SEO (especially using Claude & ChatGPT)
  • E-commerce management (Shopify, WooCommerce, & other platforms)
  • Podcast + video production/management (get good at video editing)
  • Graphic design and video editing
  • Data analysis and reporting

Landing Your First Clients

Alright, you’ve got the skills, you’ve got the online presence with us – now it’s time to land some clients. Here’s how to get started when using HireTalent:

  • Complete your profile 100% (seriously, don’t skip this. Even once onboarding is done, go to your profile and add any of the optional fields)
  • Showcase your best work in your portfolio
  • Write a killer bio that highlights your unique value
  • Start with lower rates to build up reviews, then gradually increase
  • Apply to jobs quickly and write personalized proposals

Pricing Your Services & Knowing Your Worth

Pricing is tricky, especially when you’re just starting out. Here’s the deal:

  • Research the going rates for your skills and experience level
  • (Possibly) start a bit lower to build up your portfolio and reviews
  • Gradually increase your rates as you gain experience and positive feedback
  • Consider different pricing models (hourly, project-based, retainer)
  • Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but know your minimum acceptable rate

Remember, if you price too low, clients might not value your work. If you price too high, you might price yourself out of opportunities. Find that sweet spot.

Managing Time and Workload

Listen up, because this is crucial. Your ability to manage time and workload will make or break your VA career. Here’s how to nail it:

  • Set realistic deadlines and communicate them clearly to clients
  • Learn to prioritize tasks effectively
  • Don’t overcommit – it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver (this can also get you fired if you promise the world and don’t deliver)
  • Schedule regular breaks to avoid burnout
  • Create systems and processes to streamline repetitive tasks
  • Learn to say “no” to projects that aren’t a good fit (if you can afford to)

Overcoming Common Challenges for Filipino VAs

Let’s talk about some hurdles you might face and how to overcome them. I promise you, many of these are not as serious as you might think it is. At the end of the day, you’re being hired to complete a task, right? Regardless, if you’re having issues with any of these, here’s what you can do:

  1. Cultural Differences:
  • Research your client’s culture and business etiquette
  • Be open to feedback and different ways of doing things
  • Communicate clearly and ask for clarification when needed
  1. Communication Barriers:
  • Practice your English constantly
  • Use tools like Grammarly to check your writing
  • Be proactive in communication – don’t wait for clients to check in
  1. Work-Life Balance:
  • Set clear boundaries with clients about your working hours
  • Create a dedicated workspace at home
  • Learn to “switch off” when work is done
  1. Dealing with Difficult Clients:
  • Set clear expectations from the start
  • Document everything in writing
  • Learn to communicate assertively (not aggressively)
  • Don’t have a bad attitude
  • Know when to walk away from toxic clients

Legal and Financial Considerations

Don’t Ignore the Business Side of Being a VA

  • Register your business (DTI registration is a good start)
  • Open a separate bank account for your VA income
  • Keep meticulous records of income and expenses
  • Learn about tax obligations for freelancers in the Philippines
  • Consider getting professional insurance
  • Use contracts with all clients to protect yourself

Becoming a successful Filipino VA isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely achievable if you’re willing to put in the work. Remember:

  • Continuously improve your skills
  • Build a strong online presence
  • Deliver outstanding work to every client
  • Manage your time and workload effectively
  • Think long-term and always be learning

If you want to get into being a VA, but can’t dedicate all of the time right now – that’s completely fine. Try to dedicate 45 minutes a day to a skill online that you can eventually market yourself with. Even if it takes you 6-12 months to land something and stop working in person, it will benefit you for years. If you’re a Filipino looking for a remote job, sign up for an account and pitch yourself to clients!

I really hope this helped!