5 Awesome Ways To Celebrate Mother’s Day In The Philippines This 2022
Mother’s Day in the Philippines is just around the corner! Have you thought of ways to celebrate it this Sunday?
Naturally, not all mothers are the same. Some prefer to go out with the family and get a little adventurous. Meanwhile, others would prefer to stay at home and relax while either dinner with the family.
Luckily, Mother’s Day lands on a Sunday. That should mean that the entire family can bond together and celebrate the family matriarch.
Sure enough, there are a hundred different things you can do to show your appreciation for your mom. With that many choices, picking one that’s just right could get a little tricky.
But don’t you worry! We’ve scoured the interwebs and compiled a list of the best ways to celebrate Mother’s day in the Philippines this 2022.
Breakfast In Bed
Mothers are hardworking. There’s no doubt about it. And, nobody encapsulates that more than Filipina mothers.
When we were young, we’d usually wake up with breakfast ready, our bags packed, and our lunch boxes fully prepared. More often than not, that’s thanks to our moms who wake up earlier than everybody else.
So, it’s about time that we return the favor! A simple breakfast in bed is one of the easiest ways for us to surprise our moms this Sunday.
The best way to do this is to ask her what her favorite meal is, or look up recipes online. If you don’t know how to cook, then it’s about time that you learn!
A simple meal like bacon and eggs, pancakes, and a glass of fresh juice could already leave a smile on anyone’s face. You can even put a little note on the side that shows how much you love and appreciate your mother.
Give Your Mom A Day Off
Being a mother is a lifetime job. On top of that, there are a lot of mothers out there who are the primary breadwinners of the family.
That means that on top of their day job (or nightshift if they’re working in the BPO industry), they also have their duties as a mother. With all that hard work put in, one of the best ways we can show our appreciation is by giving her a day off.
If you haven’t noticed already, Mother’s Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May. This means that our moms have ample time to relax and chill.
So, treat your mom to a spa date, pamper her, and make sure that she’s relaxed. At home, you can also take care of chores or errands she might need to do. Just make sure that she doesn’t have to lift a finger.
Or, you can go on a trip with your mom and the entire family to the mountainside, grab some fresh air, and destress.
Give Flowers
You can never go wrong with sending flowers! (Unless your mother is allergic to them). A handmade bouquet is one of the most popular ways to show your appreciation.
Ask about what her favorite flower is, or her favorite color. Then make a bouquet around that idea. Ensure that the bouquet is catered for her.
If you do this, don’t forget to include a sweet little message for her.
Make Your Mom A Playlist
Music is so underrated as a gift. As paintings use a blank sheet as a canvas, music uses time as theirs.
For starters, music can hold so many memories and emotions that could take your mom back to simpler times. A playlist won’t just be good for a day. Your mom could listen to it while doing chores, going to work, or just relaxing in bed.
Make A Memory Book
Allow her to choose her favorite images from everyone’s camera rolls and Instagram feeds on Mother’s Day. She’ll not only enjoy reliving the year, but she’ll also provide you with the motivation to create a memory book. You could make it an annual event.
Here Are The 10 Most In-Demand Jobs in the Philippines This 2022
There has been a shift when it comes to in-demand jobs in the Philippines this 2022. Due to the pandemic, people are now looking for more online jobs than ever. Luckily, a lot of companies are offering positions even for those without any experience.
When the lockdowns hit the country, several industries had to close down. As a result, millions of Filipinos lost their jobs. But those industries whose work can be done remotely thrived. That’s why Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies have been looking for more applicants.
Thankfully, a bit of normalcy has shined upon the Philippines more than two years after the lockdowns. More and more people are coming back to offices, and industries and services are up and running.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippines had a record unemployment rate of 6.9% last July 2021. This was the lowest it had been since the start of the pandemic when the unemployment rate was at 93%.
But the sentiment still remains, people are looking for jobs online! Additionally, companies are aggressively looking for applicants to fill positions.
So, if you’re a fresh graduate or somebody looking to make the shift, stick around! In this article, we’ll be showing a list of the most sought-after jobs in the Philippines this 2022. Furthermore, we’ll be showing you quick tips on how to easily apply for these positions.
10 Most In-Demand Jobs in The Philippines This 2022 (Updated)
As we discussed earlier, companies are looking to fill job positions that can be done remotely. This provided an incredible opportunity for more foreign clients to outsource to countries like the Philippines.
Thus, you can opt to go on three different routes: “BPO, Local, or Freelancing“. In most cases, BPO is synonymous with “Call Centers”. However, that is far from the case.
BPOs can consist of several Virtual Assistant roles, including Call Center, Back-Office Associate, Data Entry, and more. Working in a BPO allows you to work with foreign clients and learn with industry professionals.
So, with that out of the way, let’s take a look at the top in-demand jobs in the PH:
Virtual Assistant (Freelance / BPO)
In the United States, 68% of companies outsource services to countries like India and the Philippines. That’s why there’s ample opportunity for Filipinos to work for foreign clients.
Clients are looking for Virtual Assistants in different fields. That’s why the term “Virtual Assistants” can cover a broad spectrum. Thus, the job description depends on the client or company.
But how can you find foreign clients to work with?
The biggest difference however would be benefits and job security. Currently, the “Virtual Assistant” market in the Philippines is highly saturated. This means competition is high.
So, if you’re an entry-level Virtual Assistant with no experience, the reality is that you’ll find it difficult to land your first client. Moreover, securing a client won’t necessarily mean that the client would renew a contract with you.
Sure enough, there are pros and cons with every job – and being a virtual assistant is no exception.
Meanwhile, if you work as a Virtual Assistant in a BPO, you get to work with foreign clients, learn from industry professionals, and have a consistent salary. And the best part about this is you don’t need experience.
You’d receive training and have a handful of career advancement opportunities. On top of this, you get health insurance, 13th-month pay, and other government-mandated benefits.
Back Office Associate
Another job rising in popularity in the Philippines is “Back Office Associate” (BOA). Just like Virtual Assistants, the job description of a (BOA) depends on the client’s needs.
Those working as a BOA are tasked with helping several industries such as IT, customer service, order processing, and several other administrative tasks.
Fresh graduates and those with no experience can easily apply as a BOA. In fact, having no experience can be a plus!
At Global Strategic, being a beginner BOA won’t be a problem as long as you have good communications skills, the right attitude, and a willingness to learn.
Those with at least two years of college experience can still apply as a BOA. Applicants are expected to have basic knowledge of common applications such as Word and Excel and should also be comfortable on a computer.
As a BOA, you serve as the backbone of any company. Your role is also pivotal in making sure that operations run smoothly. In Global Strategic, a Back Office Associate handles the following administrative work:
The great thing about getting a job as a BOA is the career advancement opportunities. Due to the broad nature of the term “Back Office”, you can be tasked to handle different responsibilities.
That said, no matter what course you took in college, whether you’re a psychology or HRM graduate, there are several job positions available for you. As such, it’ll be easier for you to branch out into other areas or specialize in a specific niche.
Call Center Agent
For many years, the call center industry in the Philippines has continued to thrive even amid the pandemic – and for good reason!
The Philippines is hailed as the “BPO Capital of the World“. Foreign companies continue to praise the Philippines for their talent and work ethic. Additionally, the government heavily supports the BPO industry in the country.
Each year, more companies are investing in outsourcing to the country. Thus, the Philippines has a steady supply of job positions ready for those even without experience.
But, even with the high volume of available positions, the call center industry can still be incredibly competitive. Gone are the days when companies just accepted anybody that walked through their front door.
With that in mind, here are some tips that are sure to help you with your next call center interview.
Social Media Marketing / Content Creators
Much like our daily work, our sources of entertainment have shifted from TV to the internet. And with that, so did ads, businesses, and more.
That’s why there’s such a high demand for social media marketers and content creators. In this age of social media and entertainment, branding is everything.
The way you’re perceived in the public eye (or lack thereof) can make or break any business. As such, there’s such a big emphasis on effective social media marketing.
Granted, this is still a very niche market and not a lot of people are doing it. So, competition is somewhat on the average side. With that said, there is still a lot you need to learn, especially as a beginner when it comes to marketing, lead generation, and content creation.
Data Entry Specialists
In every company, data is extremely important. As such, there are always positions open for Data Entry Specialists in the Philippines.
Among the most in-demand jobs listed in this article, data entry is by far the easiest to get into. You only need basic knowledge of document processing applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
The basic job description of a Data Entry Specialist is to verify and digitize data. Mostly, you’d need to handle administrative tasks related to as the name suggests – data entry.
But much like Virtual Assistant roles, a Data Entry Specialist’s job description still depends on the client. For example, a Data Entry Specialist from the Philippines might be tasked to collect data, bills, client info, financial statements, invoices, or receipts.
Similar to VAs, a Data Entry Specialist can also freelance or work in BPO companies. Even as a fresh graduate with no experience, you can easily apply as a Data Entry Specialist online.
As companies continue to expand, they’re going to need more people to fill vacant job positions. But how can these companies find the right people for the job? That’s where Recruitment Associates and Specialists come in!
A Recruitment Specialist’s job description primarily revolves around screening candidates. Additionally, they can also be tasked with sourcing potential applicants and providing a post-screening assessment.
Every day, a company can get hundreds upon hundreds of applicants. To handle this, the recruitment team assigns the workload amongst team members to lessen the individual burden.
With this, a typical day for the recruitment team could consist of associates calling leads for initial interviews or following up on no-show candidates. Afterward, those who pass the initial interview can be eligible for the second interview. Usually, this is conducted by the recruitment specialists.
If you’re a graduate of psychology-related courses, you can easily apply for these jobs. Naturally, as a member of the recruitment team, you’d be tasked to assess the capabilities of an applicant. And, who better to do this, than psych graduates!
Accounting Related Jobs
Accountants, accounting analysts, and other related jobs are highly in-demand this 2022. The primary responsibilities of these people are handling administrative tasks.
Among these tasks are the following:
Perform initial review functions to ensure that supporting papers are adequate before processing, in accordance with the client’s rules and procedures.
Make journal entries for the received manual expense reports after performing analysis and calculating related taxes.
In most cases, companies are going to ask if you have experience with software such as QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, and other SAP applications.
There are a lot of people who want to work in the Philippine government. If you manage to land a job, you’ll get several benefits including job security and a pension.
Generally, you’d want to pass your civil service exam before applying for a government job as it is one of the basic requirements. Once you’ve done that, the government offers several positions in different fields.
You can work for the government in the Information and Communications Technology field, education, tourism, finance, environment, and many more.
Check out this article from Filipiknow to get a more comprehensive list of available government jobs in the Philippines.
Education
Dr. Jose Rizal immortalized the phrase, “Ang Kabataan Ang Pag-Asa Ng Bayan” (The youth is the hope of the country). With that, the Philippines always emphasized the importance of education.
In fact, an article from the Manila Bulletin reported that the education sector was given the biggest budget hike in 2022. Currently, the budget for the Department of Education is around P36.8 billion higher than the previous.
In addition, there’s also a sharp increase in local demands for educators. Both government and private schools are looking for teachers to fill positions. You can also opt to go online and become an ESL teacher (English as a Second Language).
Healthcare / Medical
Based on a study from Jobstreet, the medical/health care industry sits at #8 among the top 10 hiring industries in the Philippines. It’s quite a surprising detail considering the effects of the pandemic.
Still, here are the top jobs that are in demand in the medical industry:
Nurse
Physician
Pharmacist
Medical Technologist
Healthcare Customer Care Representative
Healthcare Data Management Specialist
Medical Coder
So, now that you’ve learned about the most in-demand jobs in the Philippines, Global Strategic wants to hear from you. Apply today and become our newest Back Office Associate or Call Center Representative or talk to our Recruiters about our other roles and whether or not you would be a fit.
Can a Data Entry Specialist inthe Philippines Become a Virtual Assistant?
Can you become a Virtual Assistant who specializes in data entry? Well, the quick answer is YES! In recent years, the Philippines saw a rise in the popularity of remote jobs. Among the most sought-after ones are Data Entry, Call Center, and Back-Office Associate positions.
In the Philippines, thousands of people are already working as Data Encoders. Some work freelance as Virtual Assistants. Meanwhile, there’s a large percentage of people working as Data Entry Specialists in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
So, what exactly is Data Entry?
Those working in data entry need to verify or digitize data. Along with this, a Data Entry Specialist’s job description includes helping with administrative tasks.
Still, the exact tasks will usually depend on the client or business. For example, a client may require you to collect data, bills, client info, financial statements, invoices, or receipts.
If you have no experience yet as a Data Entry Specialist, check out our guide here regarding data entry job descriptions, key responsibilities, and more.
Freelance Data Entry Specialist VS BPO
Similar to freelancers, those working in BPO companies can also work for international clients. The main differences are the fixed schedule (which also may occur as a freelancer) as well as the financial security and benefits.
Working freelance means that you’d have to find your own clients, keeping in mind that you need to compete with thousands more data entry specialists online from all across the globe. So, if you have no experience, you may have a difficult time securing clients.
It is still possible to land clients that are willing to give a newbie a shot, but generally experienced agents receive first preference. On the other hand, BPO companies are more than willing to hire those without experience.
Here, you’d receive training from top industry professionals and get a clear career development path. With that in mind, here are some pros and cons of working as a freelance data encoder:
Data Entry Specialist Pros and Cons – Freelancing from the Philippines
As a freelancer with clients, you can already call yourself a “Virtual Assistant” as you’d likely be working remotely. For some people, freelancing is a dream, but for many others, freelancing can be a gamble, especially if you need a consistent flow of cash.
Sadly, not everyone can afford to become freelance Virtual Assistants if you don’t secure clients, you won’t have any source of income. That’s why it’s recommended to have a little money saved in case things don’t pan out.
But getting a job as a freelance data entry Virtual Assistant can also be rewarding. Job seekers can often work on their own time, choose who they want to work with, and work remotely from anywhere.
However, it’s best to stay grounded when it comes to our expectations of the gig economy. For starters, the market for Data Entry Specialists is highly saturated and this means that you can expect to see tough competition within the space.
According to Payscale, the hourly rate of data entry specialists from India can go as low as ₹50 or roughly $0.65 (P50.00). Even those with experience charge lower rates to attract more clients.
Pros Of Data Entry Freelancing
As mentioned earlier, the most obvious pro of going freelance is taking control of your own time. As a freelancer, you’re not necessarily bound to the usual 8-5 shift, though many clients will insist on a fixed schedule, often overnight.
Despite this, you do take more control and may be able to dictate your terms more freely. You can easily find online data entry jobs in the Philippines.
Currently, the most popular platforms to go for are Upwork, online job boards, or even sites such as Reddit. Every day, you get updated with new job listings and opportunities. Plus, you get the added benefit of working directly with a client.
You can work at your own pace and connect with the people you want to. Additionally, you get to save on transportation fees as you don’t need to go to the office.
Amid the pandemic, you’d also be safer working from home- although most BPO companies have vaccination policies already in place to ensure the health and safety of their workers.
Moreover, you can possibly have a better work-life balance. This means that you can finish your deadlines on time while still having enough time left for your personal hobbies, passions, or friends.
That said, here are the pros of pursuing a home-based freelance data entry virtual assistant job:
Online Job Opportunities for Data Entry Specialists
Although the market is saturated with thousands upon thousands of freelancers, there’s still a client or business looking for Data Entry Specialists every day. Almost every type of business needs data entry.
Considering how much data and information is valued, there’s no wonder why this position is always in demand. In the Philippines, the most popular avenues for freelancing are Upwork, Fiverr, Facebook pages, or Reddit.
Also, data entry occupies a large scope of industries. Thus, you can find a job almost anywhere. According to an article from Superstaff, there’s even a high demand for data encoders in the Film and Video industry.
Additionally, you can find data entry online jobs for travel and tourism, insurance, healthcare, real estate, banking, E-commerce, logistics, and more.
More Companies are Outsourcing
More and more companies and businesses are shifting to outsourcing a virtual workforce. Aside from less expensive labor costs, companies are looking at the Philippines for talent.
With companies outsourcing heavy administrative tasks such as data entry, they’re free to focus on other valuable facets. Keep in mind that outsourcing doesn’t just save money, it also saves time for clients.
And, for businesses in competitive industries such as real estate, having extra time is worth gold. Through outsourcing to freelance data entry specialists, businesses can put their time into building and developing relationships, improving sales, and innovating their services.
Flexible Working Schedule / Remote Work
You may have more control of your own time if you choose the freelancer route, though this will still depend on the client that you land. Some will want you to match their business hours which is often overnight, but for others, you’d be able to control when you start or end your work.
As long as your client is happy with the outcome of your work then you don’t need to worry. Another benefit of having a flexible work schedule is having more time for family and friends.
You can also pursue hobbies further with the extra time that you have. And, more importantly, you get to work anywhere.
Cons of Freelance Data Entry Jobs
Inconsistent Income Stream
One of the major disadvantages of working as a freelance data entry specialist is income. Some months, you’d have lots of clients, others, not so much.
The variable inconsistency when it comes to freelancing should become a big factor in your decision-making. You need to ensure that you learn and manage all the variables to manage and prioritize your finances.
According to an article from The Balance Careers, workloads can vary from month to month making it quite difficult to predict. This is especially true when you’re just starting out as a data entry specialist with no experience.
These large swings in income can sometimes be so volatile that most would find it difficult to budget. So, if you have a family to feed and bills to pay monthly, this is something you should be considering.
Lack of Benefits
As a freelancer, you are also somebody that’s called an “independent contractor“. Thus, you can’t receive employee benefits mandated by the Philippines. Additionally, you won’t get access to insurance or health care benefits.
In the Philippines, you also have to manually file important government contributions such as SSS or PAG-IBIG. Additionally, health insurance can become costly for self-employed workers.
Among the other benefits, you won’t receive as a freelance data entry specialist is the 13th month’s pay. Generally, this is equal to 1/12 of an employee’s base salary and is pro-rated depending on when the employee started working at a company.
Along with this, there are several social welfare benefits that you’d be missing out on.
Initial Capital to Start Freelancing
If you want to become a freelancer in the Philippines, then you need to ensure that your machine can handle your client’s needs. As such, you’d need to invest in a good desktop computer or laptop.
Additionally, you also need to buy peripherals such as a good headset, speakers, keyboards, mouse, and an Uninterruptable Power Supply or UPS.
Furthermore, you need to consider the frequent power outages in the Philippines. With that, you might also need to invest in a generator just in case a long outage is scheduled.
Generally, you need about P30,000 to buy a good quality computer that can handle most modern tasks. However, some clients require their virtual assistants to have specific computer specifications which cost extra. Don’t forget about the good internet connection as you will need to ensure you can complete the work without lag or interruption.
Is Freelancing Data Entry for Me?
Considering the pros and cons above, now’s the time to ask “Is freelancing for me?”. If you have the initial cash to invest in the equipment, and if you’re secure enough financially to pursue freelancing, then you can certainly consider it.
But, if you have a steady set of bills to pay, a family to feed, mortgages, or debt, then you might want to consider an alternative to freelance data entry.
Even though freelancing can offer you a more flexible work schedule, there will be clients that need you to work on-call. That means that even if you’d scheduled vacation, you can still get a call due to an unexpected problem.
No Experience Data Entry Freelance
When you’re starting out in data entry with no experience, you might even work more hours than in a traditional office setting. Moreover, it takes time to get used to using the new tools your client requires.
Another thing you need to consider is accountability for your work. As a freelancer, the success and failure of your clients and their businesses might lay on your shoulders. To survive without training, management, or other employees to keep you on track, you need to become incredibly disciplined.
So, if you decide not to work freelance, another great alternative is working for a BPO company. With the help of a BPO company, you can get job security, benefits, training, and career advancement opportunities.
Data Entry In BPO
Even with no experience, you can definitely get a data entry job with a BPO company. Becoming a Data Entry Specialist in the BPO industry is one of the most desired career paths in the Philippines this 2022.
Applying for a data entry job in the Philippines has never been easier. With the rapid expansion of the BPO industry, more and more businesses are looking for Data Entry Specialists.
In Global Strategic, those with or without experience are welcome to apply as data entry specialists. Apply now as a Data Entry Specialist and receive a P20,000* signing bonus when you get hired!
Must have completed at least two (2) years in college or must possess a vocational/short course certificate
Must be able to communicate in English
Has the ability to multi-task and learn quickly
Has excellent typing skills (at least 30wpm)
Whether you are a fresh grad looking for your first step towards a career, are in another industry, or you are already a Data Entry Specialist and looking for a change, apply today- Global Strategic would love to hear from you!
Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of working as a Data Entry Specialist in BPO
Benefits Data Entry Specialists Receivein BPO Companies
BPOs and call center companies are always looking for data entry specialists daily. Basically, what a freelancer does for clients is the same thing as those who work in an outsourcing company.
However, the biggest difference between the two is stability when it comes to income streams and benefits. The company will find you, clients, to work on and you will have permanent and regular work.
As an employee of a BPO company, you and possibly your family will usually get health care and insurance. Aside from this, you’d get a steady stream of income in the form of your monthly salary as well as possible bonuses and other benefits.
As such, a large percentage of people opt to go the BPO route instead of freelancing.
Here are the pros of working as a data entry specialist in the Philippines:
Healthcare and Insurance
BPO firms are known for offering some of the best benefits to their employees. Health benefits and life insurance are two examples.
Most businesses have ties to clinics that can provide free consultations. In addition, if you get sick at work, BPOs provide on-site nurses and doctors.
In addition, you can extend your insurance and health benefits to a family member. This may be highly useful in an emergency.
Career Advancements in BPO
When comparing home-based vs. office-based data entry professionals, it’s important to think about career progression.
Assume you’re a novice looking to establish a profession as a Data Entry Specialist. You’ve read a lot of articles about what it takes to work as a data encoder on the internet. Nothing, however, compares to learning directly from industry experts with years of experience.
Working for a BPO business allows you to contact clients directly without having to compete with tens of thousands of other data entry specialists. Along with this, you’ll have a plethora of options for growth and even branching out into new fields.
As a freelancer, your opportunities for advancement are limited, if not impossible. When working for a BPO company, your skills can shine and you can advance into leadership and other positions and build a long-term career.
Updated Equipment
If you want to establish your own data entry business, you’ll need to invest in costly equipment. In general, you can get by with an old laptop, but the results will vary.
For starters, a good laptop must meet certain specifications in order to be suitable for data entry jobs. Furthermore, when it comes to your equipment, some clients have a minimum spec needed.
Working at a BPO business, on the other hand, assures that you have the best equipment for the job. Thanks to in-house IT staff, any difficulties with your equipment can be easily addressed or replaced. The best part is that none of these will cost you anything.
Comfortable Work Environment
BPO companies enjoy some of the nicest amenities. If you work for a BPO firm, you’re likely to find facilities designed to meet the demands of staff.
There would also be sleeping accommodations for graveyard shift workers. A pantry, training rooms, and much more would be included. Fast and stable internet connections are also available to you.
You also get the added benefit of having a social network with your colleagues. You will meet new friends and possibly even romantic partners.
Not only can you rely on them to help you if you have questions about the work, but they also can become a great part of your working experience versus being completely isolated working as a freelancer.
Whether you are a fresh grad looking for your first step towards a career, are in another industry, or you are already a Data Entry Specialist and looking for a change, apply today– Global Strategic we would love to hear from you!
Interview Questions You Need To Prepare For When Applying In A Call Center In The
The Philippines has over a million call center agents. Sure enough, each one experienced tough interview questions when applying for the job.
According to IT Starts Here, over 1.3 million Filipinos work in the industry. Meanwhile, thousands more apply as call center agents every day. That’s why becoming a call center agent is still one of the most in-demand jobs in the Philippines this 2022.
So, do you want to join this thriving industry? Stick around and we’ll show you how to easily pass your next interview.
In this article, we’re going to go in-depth on how to get hired as a call center agent. Furthermore, we’ll discuss why a lot struggle with interviews. Additionally, we’ll add a structured way of answering tough interview questions so you won’t sound like you’re reading off a script.
For example, most recruiters are going to ask you the most basic of all questions “Tell me about yourself“. The question is simple. But, for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, how you answer this could make or break your interview.
The way you answer “Tell me about yourself” gauges your communication skills and tells interviewers if you’re a fit for the company’s environment. Keep in mind – having the right skills can get you in the industry, but having a pleasing personality can get you even further.
Thus, if you answer this question with a rehearsed script, you would sound robotic. Also, recruiters can ask questions in between your answer which can easily throw people off.
With that said, here are the best answers to common call center interview questions in the Philippines.
Quick Tips For Preparing For A Call Center Interview
Reviewing call center interview answers is an excellent way to prepare. However, is there anything else that we can do aside from reading through sample interview answers?
Applicants can get nervous when it’s minutes away from their interview. Thankfully, there are always things we can do prior to the interview to help us prepare further such as the following:
It’s Better To Overdress than to Underdress
How applicants wear clothes can be seen as an extension of themselves. In fact, according to Chron, appearances contribute greatly to the first impressions you make to potential employers.
Naturally, you want to dress professionally to show interviewers that you’re already professional and a perfect fit for the BPO industry.
You don’t always have to overdress. But at the same time, it’s much better to overdress for an interview rather than to underdress for several reasons.
Firstly, underdressing shows insincerity about the interview opportunity. Additionally, it shows that you might not be considerate of the company’s dress code.
Generally, it’s safer to dress formally rather than make a bad first impression by dressing casually.
Watch Your Body Language
Learning about body language is underrated. Although mostly subconscious, our brains relate body language to confidence. In face-to-face interviews, or even in virtual interviews, watching out for your body language is important for these reasons:
It assists the interviewer in understanding what the person is saying
It shows that you are confident
Body Language makes you appear genuine
It helps avoid looking unprofessional
For example, hand gestures help emphasize your points during the interview. But too many hand gestures could make you look like you overcompensating.
Also, playing with your hair or touching your face is something to look out for.
Generally speaking, these little movements can make you look fidgety. As a result, this visibly shows how nervous you are.
So, if you’re not quite sure what to do with your hands during an interview, you can try folding them in your lap. This represents a neutral gesture that you could easily hold until the nervousness dies down.
Practice Your Grammar
In today’s modern age, anybody can get information from the internet. So, why not use that to your advantage and brush up on your grammar?
There could be a possibility that you’ve been saying something wrong for so long but nobody corrected you.
Moreover, learning more words and polishing your communication skills is a great addition to a call center applicant’s arsenal. Remember, the best outbound and inbound call centers in the Philippines are looking for effective communicators.
And, learning proper grammar sets us apart from the rest. For example, solving problems for a client might be confusing if you don’t know the correct usage of verbs, tenses, and more.
For example, you’re trying to fix a client’s television remotely. A bad way of relaying instructions to a client would be saying: “Get the remote and press buttons to look for settings and restarted the TV”. Now, that doesn’t sound right at all.
It would be better to say: “Grab the remote and click on the Settings button, go through the menu using the arrow keys and restart the tv”.
Meanwhile, having proper grammar is even more important during your interview as it shows you have the communications skills needed to thrive in the call center industry.
Now that’s out of the way, here are some example answers to the most important interview questions asked in the BPO industry:
Best answers to common call center interview questions in the Philippines
Tell Me About Yourself – Best Answer
Mostly every call center in the Philippines you apply to will ask you this question. In fact, an article from Indeed says almost every company asks their applicant: “Tell me About Yourself”. Alternatively, a recruiter may ask you “tell me something about yourself that’s not on your resume”.
Open-ended questions like this are great ways for interviewers to know a little bit about themselves. Furthermore, even though this is commonly asked, a lot of people still don’t know how to answer. Therefore, if you want to get a chance to work in a call center, you’d better prepare.
But how exactly do we prepare our answer?
First of all, we don’t want to sound scripted. As such, it’s better if we formulate a structure that helps us outline our thoughts. Let’s use this scenario as an example.
An applicant named Juan Cruz is applying for a call center agent role. After graduating, he worked for his uncle’s appliance repair shop.
So, how do we structure our answer using this example? It’s simple! We use a simple three-step method.
Monina Furigay, a talent acquisition specialist who’s currently securing her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations says you can structure your answer by:
Stating a fact – I’m Juan Cruz, I worked at my uncle’s repair shop.
Showing Evidence of that fact – I worked there after graduating college to help my uncle over the summer and it became a full-time job afterward.
Relating it to a job description – I got a chance to learn how to effectively communicate with clients.
Using the information given above, here is an example answer to “tell me about yourself” using our structure:
“My name is Juan Cruz, but my friends call me JC. After college, I worked at my Uncle’s appliance repair shop. Initially, it was supposed to be a quick summer job while I look for jobs.
But, it ended up with me doing it full time. My duties there included talking to clients, giving them updates about repairs, and troubleshooting.
As I continued to work, I learned how to deal with extremely upset clients whose appliances couldn’t be fixed. More importantly, I learned how to quickly identify issues at a glance and offer suggestions to clients.
That’s why I wanted to work in the call center industry because I believe that my talents for troubleshooting and customer service could be of great use”.
Why Did You Want To Work As A Call Center Agent In the Philippines?
As you can see, we already answered this question in our example above. However, we need to expand further on this. Obviously, if you’ve asked this question, the biggest NO-NO is answering with “I want to improve my English skills”.
Take note that having a call center job means that you should already be proficient when it comes to communicating in English. Instead, you should use our three-step method again to structure your thoughts.
State a fact, provide evidence or expound on that fact, and relate it to a job description or the question. In this case, it’s better to relate our answer to the question.
With that, our example answer for “Why do you want to work as a call center agent?” could be:
“I want to work as a call center agent because I want to pursue a career where my skills in communication and problem-solving can shine. Back in high school and college, I used to freelance as a computer technician.
Most of my work involved seeking out clients, knowing their issues, and finding quick resolutions to their problems. Also, I learned ways to appease customers when their computers couldn’t be fixed and offered alternatives, and other ways to help.
Right now, I’m fairly confident with my abilities but I know that with the help of industry professionals from “x company”, I could elevate it even higher, especially when thinking about the long term”.
So, how did we use our three-step method in the example above?
Give Facts – the applicant wants to work in a call center because he has skills in communicating and troubleshooting
Provide Evidence – Working freelance as a computer technician.
Relate – Wanting to elevate communication skills to a higher degree
What are your Strengths And Weaknesses?
There is no doubt that the BPO industry is highly competitive. As such, companies aren’t just looking for agents that could answer phone calls. Instead, they’re looking for people who can give clients value.
With this, the first thing that you need to do is highlight your strengths that could provide value to the company. However, if that were the case, what can we do when talking about our weaknesses?
The wrong answer to this question is simply talking about your weaknesses without expounding and providing details as to how you are overcoming them. Simply saying that “I’m shy or I’m easily frustrated” won’t get you anywhere.
Instead, find a way to express your weakness as something you’re working to improve – therefore, also emphasizing another one of your strengths.
As a call center agent, your company expects you to provide quality customer service to clients. As such, your strengths should supplement some of the following characteristics:
Good Communication Skills
Problem Solving Skills
Friendly
Calm Under Pressure
Organization
With this, here is an example answer to “What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?“
“I’m a fast learner and could easily get along with the people around me. I’m also quite good at conversational English.
However, I get shy around new people. But, because of being online so much, I’m getting used to conversing with new people and I’ve gotten more expressive. I’m still a bit shy, but I can easily start up conversations even with people I’ve never met before”
In the example above, we can see how we emphasized the strengths. Meanwhile, we showed our weakness as something that we’ve been constantly working on and could even become a strength when it comes to communication.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
An effective way to answer “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” is to show enthusiasm for the job you’re applying for. So, instead of saying you want to have a higher position, emphasize that you want to learn new skills and experiences.
Here’s an example answer:
“I plan on expanding my knowledge about the different ways I can effectively communicate with clients. More importantly, I see myself in a leadership position thanks to all to everything I’ve learned in the company throughout the years. Moreover, I can see myself in a position that could help others push forward with their career”.
Recruiters ask this question because within the BPO world, there are so many “job-hoppers” out there. Thus, they want to ensure that the applicants won’t just apply for the company for the short term.
On the contrary, they’re looking for applicants that they could help grow and train. So, try on expounding on that idea as well. Talk about growth, career advancement opportunities, or getting managerial positions.
How/Where Did You Learn About Our Company?
The biggest mistake you can do when answering this question is taking it at face value. This means that you can’t just stop at “I found your company through Facebook” and move on.
Recruiters want to hear that you’ve done research on the company. Not only that, you could also emphasize how your research on the company became the deciding factor for you to apply in the first place.
That way, you could hit two birds with one stone and also answer “Why did you want to join the company“.
Here is an example of how to answer this:
“I learned about your company through a Facebook ad. Luckily, I was also looking to apply for the position you posted. But, I also did my own research and found out that the company also advocates for the environment like I do.
On your website, I saw how the company gives priority to environmental advocacies and thought that I’d be a perfect fit being an advocate myself.”
So, now that you’re ready to take on your next CSR Interview and want to take the next step in your career journey, Global Strategic wants to hear from you. Apply today and become our newest Back Office Associate or Call Center Representative or talk to our Recruiters about our other roles and whether or not you would be a fit.
Should I Go Home-Based or Office Based as a Virtual Assistant in the PH?
What’s the difference between home-based vs office based when it comes to a Virtual Assistant role? In today’s article, we’re going to take an in-depth look at VAs in the Philippines.
Virtual Assistant jobs in the Philippines aren’t new, but thanks to the rise of the gig economy, VA jobs rapidly rose to fame.
Whether we like it or not, the pandemic had a huge role in this in during the past 3 years. As more jobs started to become remote, there has been a rise in demand for Virtual Assistants and many Filipinos grabbed the opportunity to join the industry.
Who can blame them? The prospect of working from home, having a good salary, and maybe even working on your own time feels like a dream.
But the reality remains simple – anybody can work as a VA, however, not everybody can get a job as a VA.
Is Becoming a Virtual Assistant Worth It?
Currently, the Virtual Assistant landscape is extremely competitive. More and more Filipinos want to work as VAs but at the same time, you also have people in other countries competing for the same roles and for much lower prices.
Furthermore, if you’re starting out with no experience, it’s likely that clients wouldn’t take a chance with you as cheaper, more experienced VAs are always an option.
Additionally, if you do get a client, you might think that you could continue doing work for them steadily but unfortunately, that’s not always the case with many engagements being one-off, limited, or very short-term. That’s why becoming a freelance VA can be risky as income won’t be stable.
Still, the question becomes, is it worth it?
Virtual Assistants in the BPO Industry
Well, the question of whether or not becoming a freelance VA is worth it would always depend on you. For some, they can afford to take this route and put in the time and hope to find a stable client base. Sadly, others don’t have this option- with bills to pay and families to feed, they need a steady and consistent paycheck and maybe even local government benefits.
That’s where the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry comes in. Before, the term BPO was synonymous with “call centers”, but thanks to the rapid growth of the industry, BPO companies cover a wide range of opportunities for everybody- not just those who wish to be Call Center Agents.
Moreover, because of the pandemic, a lot of BPOs offer work-from-home opportunities to their employees as well. Along with this, employees also receive bonuses, job security, health insurance, and a clear career path.
In the BPO world, employees can receive training, learn from others, and grow and advance with promotion opportunities. Still, we need to keep in mind that becoming a Virtual Assistant as a freelancer or an employee of a BPO company is both legitimate ways to start your career.
With all that said, there are some pros and cons when it comes to working as a home-based vs office-based VA in BPOs.
For example, working as a freelance VA means that you won’t have insurance benefits or bonuses. Meanwhile, working in a BPO company means that you need to work a 9-hour shift, daily, and often at night (though freelance VAs also usually have to abide by this schedule as well).
Pros of Becoming a Virtual Assistant in a BPO Company
Basically, a VA in a BPO does exactly what a freelance Virtual Assistant does. However, the biggest factor that separates them would be financial stability.
In a previous article, we tackled how revenue streams affect freelance VAs and those working in BPOs. If you’re a freelancer, clients pay you depending on your rate.
The issue now is if you don’t have any clients in a particular month. This means that you don’t get revenue and would rely on savings or other gigs. Meanwhile, working in a BPO company means you get a steady cash flow and career advancement opportunities.
Here are 5 benefits of working as a VA in BPO:
Healthcare and Insurance
Companies within the BPO industry are well known for providing some of the best benefits for their employees. Among these are health benefits and life insurance.
Most companies have partnerships with clinics that can offer free consultations. Furthermore, BPOs also have in-house nurses and doctors if you’re feeling under the weather while at work.
Moreover, you can also add a family member to your insurance and health benefits. This could be extremely important during emergencies.
Higher Earnings
Securing a job in a BPO company means that you generally receive higher pay compared to local companies in the Philippines. This is possible thanks to international clients and partnerships BPOs have. Additionally, the BPO industry also has massive support from the government.
Success stories from people working in the BPO industry aren’t new. You’d often hear about employees traveling outside the Philippines, building new homes, or sending siblings to college.
You can see this every day on social media, blog posts, and even in news outlets. That’s why working in a BPO company is becoming more and more appealing, especially to the younger generation.
Career Advancements in BPO
When we talk about home-based vs office-based Virtual Assistant jobs, career advancement should be something that we need to consider.
Imagine yourself as a beginner trying to start a career as a Virtual Assistant. You’ve read a lot of articles online about what it takes to become a VA. However, nothing beats learning firsthand from industry professionals with years of experience under their belt.
Working in a BPO company means that you get to connect directly to clients without having to compete with thousands of other VAs. Along with this, you get tons of opportunities for career advancement or even opportunities to branch out into other fields.
Comfortable Workplace Environment
BPO companies have some of the best amenities in their offices which are usually found in the heart of a city. If you work in a BPO company, you’d likely see facilities built to address employees’ needs.
For graveyard shift employees, you’d also have sleeping quarters. There would also be a pantry, training rooms, and a lot more. You also have the benefit of fast and stable internet connections.
Updated Equipment for Virtual Assistants
If you want to start your own career as a Virtual Assistant, then you’d need to pick up expensive equipment. Generally, you can do with a used laptop, but the mileage can definitely vary.
For starters, a good laptop needs to meet specific requirements that are fit for VA work. Furthermore, some clients have a minimum spec requirement when it comes to your equipment.
Additionally, you also need to buy peripherals such as a good quality headset, camera, and lighting. Sometimes, you also need to invest in generators in case of power outages in your area.
To start out, you might need on average P25,000 just for the laptop or desktop alone. Afterward, you’d need to buy other equipment which cost extra, and this is still on the low end of requirements and spend.
Meanwhile, working in a BPO company ensures that you have the best equipment for the job. Any issues you have with your equipment can be easily fixed or replaced thanks to in-house IT staff. And the best part about this is that you don’t have to pay for any of these.
Benefits of Becoming a Freelance Virtual Assistant
For most people, going freelance is a dream, but the road is definitely not as easy as it seems. Now that we’ve gone through the Pros of being a VA in BPO, let’s look at the benefits of going freelance.
Flexibility with your Schedule
As a freelancer, you basically take control of your own time. Sure, clients are going to give you tasks but you’re not necessarily bound to a specific timeline as long as you finish and deliver on your responsibilities. This always depends on the client though as they may require you to have a fixed schedule depending on their needs and your agreement with them.
Furthermore, you get to move away from the usual 9-5 workday and take charge of how your day is structured. You can start when you want to, and end when you want to unless a client specifies something like a time tracker.
Working Anywhere You Want To
Becoming a freelancer means that you can work remotely from basically anywhere in the world. But, if going to a beach in the Bahamas isn’t what you’re into at the moment, then you can definitely work from the comfort of your couch instead.
Just as long as you have a stable internet connection then you’re set! A definite perk is saving on commute money, especially with the increasing gas prices.
You Can Choose Your Own Specialty
The term “Virtual Assistant” covers a wide range of topics and possible services. You can be a VA that specializes in data entry, social media marketing, accounting, or even scheduling.
Therefore, you can choose what niche you can prioritize your time and talents with and find clients after developing your skills.
Concentrate on a few essential services that you enjoy and are skilled at. Determine which chores your clients want assistance with and then decide which ones you enjoy the most. This empowers you to break out from the hamster wheel of repetitive tasks and pursue your passions.
You Can Set Your Own Rates
The best freelancer definitely knows their worth. Freelance VAs with a proven track record and good reviews from hundreds of clients can definitely set things on their own terms.
However, if you’re still starting out with zero experience, then you need to set your rate lower to become more appealing to clients. Still, once you get the ball rolling, you can definitely climb the rate ladder.
Choosing Who You Work With
Becoming a freelancer means that you can be clear about who you want to work with. Through this, you can even determine if a certain client is a good fit for you.
You definitely don’t want to fill your calendar with clients who are demanding, toxic, and push your boundaries. You want a client who respects who you are, understands boundaries and appreciates your work.
Whether you are looking to become a Virtual Assistant or already are one and want to take the next step in your career journey, Global Strategic wants to hear from you. Apply today and become our newest Back Office Associate or talk to our Recruiters about our other roles and whether or not you would be a fit.
Resume Writing Tips For Fresh Graduates From The Philippines
Writing a resume as a fresh graduate from the Philippines can be daunting – so we are going to provide a sample template that even those with no work experience can easily use. But before you dive into it and plug in your own details, we should first understand what exactly makes a resume stand out from the rest.
As a fresh graduate, chances are you probably have little to no professional work experience outside of your on-the-job training. So, what can you do to make your resume catch a recruiter’s eye?
Do you go for a creative resume with vibrant colors? Do you go the minimalist route in your design? What are the skills that you should highlight? Should you add your hobbies and interests?
Naturally, all these questions (and more) are things that we need to consider. However, there are certain guidelines that we can follow that is universally proven to be effective for resume building.
With that said, here are important tips specifically for Filipino fresh graduates when it comes to creating their resumes:
Highlight Your Most Notable Skills
Because you have no experience, it’s better that you highlight your talents and skills. Also, you shouldn’t just highlight the same skills for each application.
Instead, you should do research on the company you’re applying for and the job description. Afterward, cater your skills to highlight the needs of the job description and the company.
For example, you’re quite good at cooking. Surely, that’s an impressive skill in itself. However, if you’re applying for a data entry job, do you think that’s relevant?
As such, you need to strategically assess what skills would be required for the job you’re applying for. So, if we’re talking about data entry, then your skills can include: “words per minute”, “excellent typing skills”, “proficient with Microsoft Office tools”, and much more.
In summary, when highlighting skills, here’s a little checklist you can go back to:
Check the job description
Highlight skills that cater to the job description
Think about how you can relate your skills to the job objectives.
Include achievements related to the job position you’re applying for
Even with no experience, there’s a high chance that we’ve got some achievements when we were studying. Moreover, recall all the clubs that you’ve joined, extra-curricular activities, or volunteer work.
Once you’ve listed them down, think about how these achievements relate to the position. Don’t just put everything there in the hopes of “beefing” up your resume.
For example, if the job you’re applying for is a call center agent position, you can include achievements or awards related to communication, team building, or leadership skills.
Let’s say you’ve joined an organization in college. And, in that org, you managed to get a position as one of the officers. That already shows that you have leadership abilities and know how to work with a team.
But, what if you didn’t necessarily get any “achievements” when you were in school?
Generally, you don’t need to include academic achievements. So, what else can you put in this part of your resume?
The simple solution – Don’t include your achievements! Clearly, having achievements is a big bonus to your resume. However, you don’t need to force anything onto your resume.
With the amount of resumes recruiters need to go through on a daily basis, chances are that they’ll only take a glance. According to an article from Career. Mercury, recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds when reviewing a resume.
So, you don’t have to worry about filling up your resume with everything you can think of. Again, just highlight your strengths and cater them to the position.
Cater your resume for specific job positions/companies
As we’ve discussed earlier, it’s better to cater your resume to meet the specific requirements of a company or job position. Thus, you can’t just create one resume and send that to every company that you apply for.
There are several reasons why this is beneficial for you as an applicant.
It shows recruiters that you’ve done research on the company beforehand. Next, even if you’re applying for the same job in different companies, there will be cases where the job descriptions would be different.
More importantly, it emphasizes your employer’s needs. Recruiters want to know how a candidate will help them achieve their objectives.
Focusing on your most relevant abilities and accomplishments demonstrates to them that you are thinking about their needs, not just what the position can provide for you.
Don’t be afraid to include your hobbies/passions
Aside from your technical and soft skills, most companies would want to check if you’re a fit for the company’s work environment. Besides your work, what you do in your free time can actually give recruiters a grasp of who you really are as a person.
Oftentimes, applicants have “scripted” answers to common interview questions. However, recruiters can generally see right through this.
So, it’s better to put your hobbies and passions on your resume so you have something to talk about. It’s natural to get nervous during interviews, but, for most people, talking about their passions and hobbies comes naturally.
Review the things you put on your resume
Don’t get caught off guard if an interviewer asks questions about you based on your resume. During an interview, recruiters would scan your resume to see anything that stands out and then asks you about it.
For example, if you’ve written down that you’ve had job experiences in four call centers, there’s a good chance that you’ll be asked about it.
Meanwhile, for those with no experience, interviewers would often go through your skills and achievements. So, be sure that you’ve reviewed them so that you can expound on the things you’ve written down.
Take the things that you’ve put on your resume as an opportunity to expound on key aspects of yourself. If you do, then you don’t have anything to worry about during your next interview.
Resume Samples For No Experience Fresh Grads
In the example below, we can see an easy-to-read resume. It’s minimalistic in its design and focused on its intent. At a glance, recruiters can identify which section contains the applicant’s personal info and which contains skills related to the technical aspect of the job.
Due to the lack of work experience, it’s important to highlight other aspects such as your skills, achievements, and training/seminars that you’ve attended. Additionally, you can also include the clubs and organizations you’ve joined during your academic years as well.
Keep in mind that you can easily highlight your role in an organization or club and relate it to the position you are applying for. Furthermore, it can show that you excel in soft skills or that you’re team-oriented and already know how to work with a group.
Here’s another example resume that uses an even more minimalist design.
As you can see, the resume doesn’t have anything fancy on it. It’s simply just text and some lines to separate parts of the resume. However, this is still a good example of a resume because it’s straightforward and has an easy flow.
Recruiters can easily skim through the resume as the information is already top to bottom. This is also easier for the eyes. Additionally, the resume also provides ample details regarding previous job experience.
Although the applicant could have added some soft skills there such as communication skills. Moreover, Microsoft Office applications may also be omitted since this could be considered common knowledge and a minimum requirement for most job applications.
Finally, something that you need to consider when handing out your resumes is to study everything that you’ve put on there. Because chances are the interviewers would ask you questions based on what’s on your resume.
Interviewers would probably ask basic questions such as “tell me about yourself” or “why do you want to work for this company”. Those are questions you can easily prepare for, but the bulk of the technical aspect of an interview would clearly depend on the skills you placed.
Now that you’ve got an idea of how to build a simple resume, it’s time to take the next step after graduating – applying for a job!
Apply with Global Strategic today and send us your cover letter and resume- we have a number of different career opportunities and would love to hear from you and see which is the right one for your career journey!
As a Virtual Assistant, it’s imperative that you have the right tools for the job. In the first place, the term “Virtual Assistant” covers a broad range of tasks. Still, most of the top professionals in the VA world are likely using the same software to optimize their workflow.
For example, all Virtual Assistants, no matter what niche, need to know how to process documents. Thus, you need to learn how to use software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or alternatives such as Google Docs.
But we also need to consider that some of these tools are going to cost a premium. So, if you’re starting your career as a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines, you might not have the budget to invest in such tools just yet.
So, in the latter part of the article, we’re going to include alternatives to these top tools for Virtual Assistants. With that said, let’s get right into the most important software you’d need as a VA.
Time Tracker Tools for Virtual Assistants
If you’re working as a Virtual Assistant, chances are you’re working remotely. Traditionally, companies would use a biometric system to track your daily log-in and log-out activities but since you’re working remotely, clients need a way to see how many hours you’ve spent on tasks.
As a freelancer, you may be paid hourly while usually, you’ll be on salary if working for a BPO company. Additionally, you need a time tracker that also has a task tracker. Furthermore, the app needs to have a way to export reports in case clients need a copy.
Emily Reagan, a multi-talented Virtual Assistant with over a decade of experience, emphasizes that a VA needs to gain their clients’ trust- and the best way to do that is by showing your incredible work ethic. That’s where Toggl comes in.
Currently, Toggl is a top go-to of the best Virtual Assistants for time tracking. Virtual Assistants from the Philippines can easily sign-up for free on the website here. In the Toggl dashboard, you can see a timer, a reports tab, projects, clients, and everything you’d need to optimize your work.
For the most part, Toggl provides a free plan perfect for those starting up.
Although most people would consider Freshbooks as an accounting tool, it’s actually well-equipped for time tracking. For the most part, it has close similarities with Toggl. Additionally, it also has a Google Chrome timer which allows users to track their activities without having to go through its web interface.
Hubstaff offers users time tracking and the ability to measure their productivity level. Also, users can easily create project management campaigns, file storing, and tracking deadlines and tasks. Clients can also use the time tracked for their payments.
Accounting and Financial Tools for VAs
If you’re a Virtual Assistant that specializes in finance and accounting, then you need tools that help you process tasks such as invoicing and out-voicing. For international clients, Filipino Virtual Accountants are often their go-to for remote work.
Not only are Pinoy VAs smart, talented, and quick learners, but they’re also incredible at conversational English. But, when it comes to accounting tasks, conversing well with your clients about the latest Netflix hit isn’t enough. You’ve got to show results.
As an accounting VA, knowing how to use QuickBooks is a definite boost to your authority in your field. QuickBooks includes income and expense tracking, reporting, financial statements, P&L analysis, cash flow reports, and much more.
Since this is accounting, chances are you don’t have to pay for the software itself. Likely, your client already has a QuickBooks account and they’re looking for somebody to manage it remotely.
As discussed earlier, Freshbooks is a diverse tool that offers not only finance tracking but also some time tracking features as well. Users can get comprehensive reporting functions, and insights, and even quickly migrate invoice and outvoice data.
Filipino VAs can also take pictures of receipts and link to the bank for quick expense tracking. More importantly, Freshbooks can utilize double-entry accounting for a more secure approach to tracking a clients’ finance.
Documentation Tools for Virtual Assistants
In any organization, documentation is important. All the valuable details and information regarding clients and their business relies on proper documentation. As such, VAs need tools that could edit, process, and send documents in a timely manner.
With that said, here are the best tools for the job:
It’s more than likely that you’d have Microsoft Office installed on your computers. Even basic tools such as Microsoft Word and Excel already offer what you need when it comes to viewing and editing documents.
Anything that you can do on Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel, you can do online through Google. And the best part about it is that it’s free! All you need is a Google account and you’re set!
As Virtual Assistants, your clients are likely on the other side of the world. So, how do you get them to sign important documents? Luckily, you can do that online using HelloSign, and it’s completely hassle-free! In a matter of minutes, your employees and clients can sign documents with this tool.
This makes it easier to edit documents before having them signed, and you’ll save a lot of forest by using less paper. HelloSign also allows your customers to sign the digital copy without having to visit their websites or mobile apps. There’s no reason to be concerned about hackers because they follow the same high-profile security precautions as national banks.
Graphic Design Tools for Filipino VAs
Sometimes, clients may ask you to do simple graphic designs for their online business, website, or anything that they might need it for. If you’re already in the graphic design niche, then chances are you already know these tools.
But, if you’re just starting out, then you might want to check out the following tools to help you on your Virtual Assistant journey:
Even a child can learn how to use Canva effectively. The best part about Canva is that it’s completely free to use! But, if you want to use other features, then you just have to pay a small premium fee. But, for the most part, the things you need are already in the free version.
Another benefit of having Canva is the ability to use it even with a computer that isn’t too powerful. Also, you can simply use it using your web browser.
If you take the time to learn Photoshop, it could be an extremely powerful tool that you can leverage for clients. You can use it to produce and modify photographs for print and the web. Photoshop allows you total control when it comes to photo manipulation. The possibilities are endless as long as you give them time to learn each function.
Much like Canva, DesignWizard allows users to create beautiful designs using their website. If clients want personalized designs, logo ideas, banners, or invitations, Design Wizard could be your go-to.
SEO Tools
Writers can also be Virtual Assistants. As such, you’d need tools that can help you optimize your content for Google’s Search Engine. Although SEO can be daunting at first, you can rest assured that it gets easier as you continue doing research and applying what you’ve learned.
The most basic thing you need for SEO is understanding keywords. For this, you can use tools such as SEMRush, Ahrefs, or Moz. However, to utilize the full capabilities of these tools, you need to pay up a monthly fee.
But, you can also use free plugins such as Keywords Everywhere as an alternative to getting ideas for longtail and short-tail keywords.
Scheduling Tools for Filipino VAs
As a Virtual Assistant, you get to meet all sorts of international clients, but different time zones can make scheduling tasks confusing at times. However, with simple-to-use scheduling tools, these tasks become a breeze.
With that said, here are the top scheduling programs you need as a Filipino VA.
This program is a nifty little tool that can help you not only schedule events and activities online, but it’s also a time zone converter and a world clock all in one! All you need to do is enter the city your client is in and the town the parties that would meet your client.
Afterward, you’d be presented with what the hour differences look like so you can easily schedule meetings that fit the time zones.
Doodle works as a meeting planner with your calendar to eliminate conflicts and make it simple for contacts to sign up for a meeting with you. But it’s Doodle’s ability to make booking a meeting or function with a large group of people incredibly straightforward that we truly like.
Here’s how it works – you send the Doodle link to the people that need to go to a meeting. Afterward, they can simply choose which time fits best for them. Then, you can see what time works for everyone with the red/green list interface.
Social Media Tools
If you’re a Virtual Assistant that wants to go in the marketing and social media route, there are programs that you simply can’t live without. These tools can help you promote a business, service, or product. Moreover, you can also use tools that help you handle multiple social media accounts at once.
Here are some examples of free software that you can use:
In the realm of social media marketing, Hootsuite is one of the best social media tools a Virtual Assistant can you that’s free. Using the software, you can manage different social media accounts and schedule posts, and respond to comments.
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter posts may all be integrated and scheduled with this tool. The fact that it’s free adds to the appeal. Analytics, reports, email assistance, and a database of various social media post ideas are also available.
Social Mention
A social media marketing campaign also necessitates thorough research. Why not utilize a technology that allows you to do both? You may use Social Mention to find the most popular terms, websites, and hashtags. You can build your social media marketing plan around this data. It’s also one of the most often used social media monitoring and listening tools.
Where Can I become a Virtual Assistant in the Philippines?
Now that you have a rundown of the best tools a virtual assistant can use, it’s time for you to take the next step.
Global Strategic Business Process Solutions has career opportunities for Back-Office Associates or Virtual Assistants. Even if you have no prior work experience or are a fresh grad, the company is more than open to hiring and always looking for talented, enthusiastic, and motivated individuals who want to not only find a job but who want to start their career in a growing company in a thriving industry.
Also, Global Strategic has several job openings for the following positions:
Whether you are looking to become a Virtual Assistant or already are one and want to take the next step in your career journey, Global Strategic wants to hear from you. Apply today and become our newest Back Office Associate or talk to our Recruiters about our other roles and whether or not you would be a fit.
Philippines VS India – Does the Philippines Beat India in Outsourcing?
When it comes to the Philippines VS India debate in outsourcing, does the PH hold up in 2022? Since the early 2000s, the Philippines has become the “BPO Capital of the world”, however, as time passed do the stats still say the same thing?
Companies and clients across the globe continue to praise Filipinos for their work ethic. In 2020, remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the U.S. amounted to $11.94 billion. Additionally, OFWs from Singapore brought in $2.15 billion.
Clients can sometimes anticipate saving 70-90% in wage payouts by hiring a Filipino team, but the low costs aren’t the only selling factor. So, when businesses think of outsourcing to the Philippines, they can expect to hire workers who are:
Diligent
Proficient in Conversational English
Adept to Western Culture
Fast Learners
Willing to climb the ladder to advance their careers
Meanwhile, in India, outsourcing clients should expect an advantage in the labor market. Currently, India still has relatively lower labor wages when compared to most countries. For example, an article from Crewbloom says Call Center Agents from India receive $3,091 annually.
As a comparison Call Center Agents in the Philippines can get up to $3,360 on the low end and $4,320 on the mid-end. So, if we look at it from a vacuum where costs are the only factor, then yes, we can say that India definitely beats the Philippines.
Still, if you’re planning to outsource, savings shouldn’t be the only factor you need to look at. Companies should also consider the outsourcing infrastructure of the country, government support, and culture.
Factors to Consider when choosing between India and the Philippines for Outsourcing
Without a doubt, the Philippines and India are two of the best countries to look at when it comes to outsourcing your business. However, we still need to consider key factors that don’t just affect a certain international company, but the entirety of the outsourcing structure of a country.
With that, here are the factors to look out for if you want to outsource:
Infrastructure
We can look at this in two ways – the literal infrastructure (buildings) in a country or how the outsourcing industry is set up.
For the past few years, India has built beautiful, modernized buildings in key locations. And, within these structures, one can find business and tech hubs that serve as the backbone of the outsourcing industry.
The offices in the building are state-of-the-art, modern, and pleasing to look at. Thus, workers have an easier time adjusting due to the comfort a BPO building provides.
Meanwhile, the Philippines also has its fair share of modern infrastructures. For the longest time, Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo have become the Philippines’ largest tech hubs. Here you could see gigantic buildings towering over the streets with residents living the metropolitan city lifestyle.
But the Philippines overtakes India when it comes to infrastructure due to the rapid expansion of the BPO industry. The Philippines plans to house more BPO services not just in these tech hubs, but in other parts of the country as well. Primarily, this is the result of strong government support and high revenue from outsourcing.
With that, let’s talk about government support next.
Government Support forthe BPO Industry
Costs may be lower in one country compared to the next, but does the government give you other benefits as well? Or do they restrict some key functions and give you necessary hurdles?
These are some of the questions you need to consider when outsourcing. In the Philippines, BPO is known to have extreme support from the government. That’s the reason why it become a world leader in the industry.
The benefits you’d expect to receive come from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). This is an agency that provides fiscal and fiscal incentives to international businesses. Additionally, there’s a separate agency that provides support to the thriving BPO industry such as:
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBAP)
Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP)
These organizations help shape the BPO infrastructure in the Philippines to benefit both Filipinos and international clients. Based on an article from Outsource Accelerator, a PEZA registered company can receive the following incentives:
Fiscal Incentives of PEZA for outsourcing to the Philippines
Income Tax Holiday (ITH) of up to six years
A special tax rate of 5% of gross income after ITH and exemption to pay all national and local taxes
Tax-free and duty-free importation of machinery, raw materials, and equipment
VAT zero-rating of local purchases of goods and services
Exemption from wharfage dues on import shipments of equipment
Exemption from expanded withholding tax
Non-Fiscal Incentives for Outsourcing to the Philippines
Simplified import-export procedures
Employment of non-resident foreign nationals in supervisory, technical, or advisory positions
Extended visa assistance to foreign nationals, their spouses, and dependents
On the other hand, India has been notorious for having strict regulations when it comes to BPO. Among these is the compulsory registration of your business to the Other Service Provider (OSP). The OSP is responsible for updating guidelines that led to the removal of BPO units.
Additionally, OSP guidelines mandate that a static IP barrier be placed which hindered India’s growth as a BPO hotspot.
Why is a Country’s Culture Important to Outsourcing?
Each country has its own unique culture and traditions. That’s what gives countries their identity. However, when it comes to outsourcing, hiring from a country that’s more inclined to the Western Culture is definitely an advantage.
The Philippines is one of the few Asian countries that combines Southeast Asian and Western influences well. Because the country was formerly colonized by Spain, the United States, and Japan, this is the case.
As a result, while working with a service provider from the Philippines, this cultural resemblance will help to ensure that outsourcing works right out of the box. Collaboration with an outsourced partner who understands a company’s lifestyle, principles, and culture would be easy.
India on the other hand, although having incorporated aspects of Western Culture, still has predominant practices which stand out. As such, native language, accents, and communication can become a big factor if you want to outsource.
If you’re ready to start your outsourcing journey, Global Strategic can help with your business needs and give you the Strategic Advantage needed to edge out the competition. Learn more about how offshore outsourcing to the Philippines can help your business and future business growth.
What Are The Costs And Fees Of Outsourcing To The Phillippines?
Without a doubt, the Philippines is still the number one place you’d want to go to if you want to save on operational costs. But what makes the country attractive to international clients goes far and beyond savings.
Since 2010, the Philippines has become the leading name in offshore outsourcing – and for good reason. Currently, the Philippines has the highest literacy rate in all of Asia with 98.18%. Additionally, the outsourcing industry receives tremendous support from the government.
As such, international clients also get tax exemption benefits as well thanks to the Special Economic Zone Act. But for now, we’ll be focusing on the costs that you might expect when outsourcing to the Philippines.
Pricing Model For Outsourcing in the Philippines
Naturally, every outsourcing company in the Philippines has its own unique pricing structure. However, all companies in the country adhere to specified laws which may affect how they charge clients.
With that said, among the things you need to consider are labor costs, service fees, and government-issued charges.
Labor costs in the Philippines
Generally, workforce costs will always be charged to clients. Furthermore, the cost would also differ depending on the skill level. But, when it comes to the Philippines, you could always expect highly-skilled workers who are more than eager to learn new things.
Another thing you need to consider is the exchange rates between your currency and the Philippine Peso. However, some companies would have a standardized rate for their labor.
For example, an entry-level Data Entry Specialist may cost around $2-3 on the low end and $6-10 on average according to Payscale.
In the Philippines, employees are entitled to the following:
13th Month Pay
In the Philippines, the 13th month pay is something that all workers look forward to at the end of the year. Generally, this is equal to 1/12 of an employee’s base salary and is pro-rated depending on when the employee started working at a company.
Night Shift Differential
Most employees working under a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company works the night shift to cater to their international clients. As such, these employees get a night-shift differential of 10% on their hourly rate if they work between 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Social Welfare Benefits
Social Security System – All employees in the Philippines are entitled to have a Social Security Systems account. This is the government’s way of providing Filipinos with social welfare services.
The Social Security contribution is 11% of an employee’s monthly earnings. The employer is responsible for 7.37 percent of the overall 11 percent payment, while the employee is responsible for the remaining 3.63 percent.
Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) – A set monthly donation of P200.00 is made to the Pag-IBIG fund. For employed individuals, the company will cover P100.00, while the remaining P100.00 will be deducted from the employee’s monthly salary.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) – According to PruLife, The employee’s compensation has a salary base that will be used to calculate the PhilHealth contribution. The employer is responsible for half of the contribution, with the remaining 50% withdrawn from the employee’s wage on a monthly basis. The minimum wage base is P10,000 and the maximum is P50,000, resulting in a minimum contribution of P275.00 and a maximum contribution of P1,375.00 each month.
Service Fees of Outsourcing Companies in the Philippines
Different companies would charge different service fees. Traditionally, these may include a fixed fee for the labor cost and operating expenses. Additionally, the fees would most likely cover equipment costs, utilities, and taxes.
How much can you save by Outsourcing to the Philippines?
Based on a study from Outsourcing Accelerator, companies can expect to save 70-90% in wage payouts. But how is this even possible?
For starters, the Philippines has a lower minimum wage compared to other countries. Meanwhile, this is compensated for the low cost of living. As such, companies who want to outsource to the Philippines can get massive savings on operational costs while still providing a decent and competitive wage to their workforce.
If you’re ready to start your outsourcing journey, Global Strategic can help with your business needs and give you the Strategic Advantage needed to edge out the competition. Learn more about how offshore outsourcing to the Philippines can help your business and future business growth.
What’s the Difference Between a Virtual Assistant and a Back Office Associate?
Within the Philippines’ rapidly expanding BPO industry, two jobs are sought out the most – Virtual Assistant and Back Office Associate positions. But what are the key distinctions between the two?
In this article, we are going to give detailed examples of the differences between a Virtual Assistant and a Back Office Associate in the Philippines. Furthermore, we’ll discuss their key functions to help you choose which career path you should take. Before we jump into things, let’s first give a brief rundown on what a Back Office Associate (BOA) is.
A Back Office Associate describes a person tasked with administrative work. They’re called “back office” associates because the majority of their duties won’t include in-person client-facing responsibilities, though they likely will have a high degree of interaction with their client (remotely). BOAs are integral to any organization as they do the work that keeps a business running and handles a lot of tasks behind the scenes that allow for the smooth operations of a business.
At Global Strategic, the job description for a Back Office Associate may include the following:
Clients from around the world are looking for outsourcing opportunities to help them automate their workloads. Being a world leader in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the Philippines has been a go-to for large and medium-sized companies, and even small start-ups.
With that said, this presents an incredible opportunity for Filipinos to find job opportunities at a monumental scale. Every day, companies are looking to fill up job positions for Virtual Assistant roles that connect Filipinos to international clients.
Alternatively, you can start your Virtual Assistant journey as a freelancer. With this, you gain control of your work schedule and have more free time. However, starting out as a freelancer can be tough considering the amount of competition in the industry.
For example, a study from Payscale revealed that the median Virtual Assistant hourly rate in India is roughly $2.68. Meanwhile, some go even lower just to gain more clients. So, starting out as a freelance VA means you’d have to compete with experienced professionals that ask for lower rates.
On the other hand, working as a Virtual Assistant under a BPO company means that you’d have a steady source of income, access to insight from industry professionals, insurance and health benefits, and excellent career development opportunities.
Virtual Assistant VS Back Office Associate in the Philippines
In the Philippines, the responsibilities of a Back Office Associate may be similar to that of a Virtual Assistant and vice versa- although this generally depends on the client’s needs.
A Virtual Assistant’s job description could include tasks done by a Back Office Associate. Similarly, Back Office Associates can work with international clients virtually. With that said, what exactly is the difference between the two?
When it comes to BOA vs VA, it all comes down to terminologies and semantics. A Virtual Assistant is someone that works virtually with a client to do a broad range of tasks which include that of a BOA.
Meanwhile, a Back Office Associate is someone tasked primarily with administrative duties. The responsibilities of a BOA could range from data entry jobs, invoicing, customer service, and other tasks. Thus, there could be different tools, software, or applications used to conduct these tasks.
Work Environment of a Virtual Assistant & Back Office Associate
Another important aspect of VA vs BOA that we need to consider is the work environment. Traditionally, a Virtual Assistant is viewed as someone that can work from home or remotely. Meanwhile, a Back Office Associate would be someone that reports straight to the office.
But, with the age of technology and the advancements in industries such as BPO, this dynamic has changed drastically! Nowadays, you’d see Virtual Assistants thriving within the BPO industry. Likewise, Back Office workloads are becoming more and more outsourced.
According to an article from Fortunly, 54% of all businesses across the world outsource their services. Of that, the Philippines continues to become one of the most dominant destinations in the outsourcing world, covering 10-15% of the global share based on an article Outsource Accelerator. As such, there has been a huge spike in the number of back office opportunities presented in the Philippines.
Where can you apply as a Virtual Assistant or Back Office Associate?
Whether you are looking to become a Virtual Assistant or already are one and want to take the next step in your career journey, Global Strategic wants to hear from you. Apply today and become our newest Back Office Associate or VA today!
Fresh graduates or those with at least two years in college could also apply. Applicants are expected to have basic knowledge of common applications such as Word and Excel and should also be comfortable on a computer. No experience is no problem, Global Strategic will train you and help you start and build a promising career in the highly popular Business Process Outsourcing industry.
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