By Eli Mercer | Updated for 2025
Hiring a Filipino virtual assistant (VA) can be one of the smartest moves you make this year. Why? Because for a fraction of the cost of hiring locally, you get access to loyal, English-speaking remote professionals trained in admin, marketing, design, eCommerce, and more.
But let’s be honest—outsourcing can also be a time suck. That’s why I want to walk you through the exact process I use on OnlineJobs.ph to hire reliable, skilled Filipino VAs without wasting weeks interviewing the wrong people.
This isn’t fluff. This is the same method I use in my own solo consultancy and growth agency builds. You’ll learn how to:
- Post your first job the right way
- Screen and sort applicants fast
- Interview like a pro
- Pay securely with smart tools like Wise and avoid ghosting
Let’s dive in 👇
What Is OnlineJobs.ph and Why Use It?
OnlineJobs.ph is a job board specifically built to connect you with Filipino virtual assistants and remote workers. No middlemen. No commissions. You pay them directly (typically via Wise or PayPal). It’s a goldmine for budget-friendly hiring—think $300–$600/month for skilled, full-time work.
I’ve tested plenty of tools—from Upwork to Fiverr to agencies—but OnlineJobs.ph consistently gives me the best mix of cost, control, and talent availability.
Who It’s For
✔️ Entrepreneurs and coaches who want admin help
✔️ eCom operators scaling customer support or listings
✔️ Agencies needing low-cost help with SEO, blog writing, or social media
✔️ Creators and course builders outsourcing video editing or repurposing
Key Benefits
- 2M+ profiles vetted by a local team
- No ongoing hire fees
- Control over interviews, salary, and contracts
- Built-in TimeProof tracker (optional)
Step 1: Create Your Employer Account
Visit OnlineJobs.ph and sign up for a free employer account. This gives you access to job posting and browsing workers, but you’ll need the Pro plan ($69/month) to message candidates and start the hiring process. Trust me—it’s worth it for even one solid hire.
Things to Fill Out:
- Use your real business email (not Gmail or a burner, it lowers trust)
- Complete your employer profile—it builds credibility
- Add basic info about your company and hiring needs
Step 2: Post a Specific, Filtered Job Listing
This is where most people mess up—posting vague jobs like “Need VA for help.” That won’t cut it in 2025.
Write a Job That Converts Applicants:
Bad: “Looking for someone to help with admin and marketing.”
Good: “Looking for a virtual assistant with 2+ years experience in Excel, Canva, and Shopify. Must be fluent in English and available 9am–6pm PST.”
Pro Tips:
- Use keywords like “admin,” “customer service,” “Amazon product listing,” “social media scheduling,” “graphic design”
- Be clear on hours, tools used (Slack, Google Suite, Trello), and your expectations
- Mention your timezone and if you need them full-time
Most VAs in the Philippines are looking for stable, long-term work. If you offer that up front, you’ll get better talent applying.
Step 3: Use Smart Search Filters
If you don’t want to wait for applicants, use OnlineJobs.ph’s search tool to proactively find great candidates. I actually prefer this.
Search Filters to Use:
- English Proficiency: 4 or 5 only
- Experience Level: Mid to Expert
- Hours Available: 30+ hrs/week
- Salary Expectation: Filter by your budget ($500/mo is a sweet spot for skilled admin support)
Bookmark the best resumes. Then send a friendly message inviting them to apply to your job post.
Step 4: Shortlist and Test for Fit
Once you have 5–10 good applicants or resume finds, send each one a short screening task. Something small, like:
“Hey! Thanks for applying. To move forward, can you complete this 10-minute research task and send it back in the next 24 hours?”
You’ll learn a lot here—who follows instructions, who meets deadlines, and who uses AI tools to cheat the test (yep, it happens now).
Use This to Eliminate:
- Applicants who ghost after applying
- People who churn out weak or AI-generated replies
- Workers who don’t respect deadlines
I also like to ask one soft-skill question: “Why do you like remote work and what would make you excited to work with our team?”
Step 5: Interview Top Picks
Keep interviews casual and short—15–20 minutes via Zoom. Here’s what to cover:
- Confirm work hours (PHT timezone is +8)
- Test spoken English
- Review test task results
- Talk about long-term goals to gauge commitment
If they feel like a fit—go with your gut and get them an offer.
Step 6: Offer and Onboard Right
Send a simple offer via email or message with:
- Start date and expected hours
- Tools they’ll use (Slack, Asana, etc)
- Pay schedule and payment method
Use Wise or for cheaper transfers. If you want free time tracking, install TimeProof—the built-in tool from OnlineJobs.ph.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Hiring based on a cheap rate alone
- Not giving a test task—always test!
- Not clarifying pay dates or methods
- Not treating your VA like part of your team
Hiring a VA is like dating. First impressions matter. Respect builds loyalty. And clear communication is everything.
Realistic Cost of Hiring a Filipino VA in 2025
- Entry-level admin VA: $300–$450/month
- Marketing assistant: $500–$650/month
- Graphics/Video editor: $600–$800/month
No commissions. No agency fees. Just monthly pay via your method of choice.
FAQ – Hiring Filipino Virtual Assistants via OnlineJobs.ph
Is OnlineJobs.ph safe to use?
Yes. It’s been around for 15+ years, with over 2 million profiles. Just do your due diligence—verify references and test for fit.
How do I avoid VA ghosting?
Make expectations clear upfront. Pay weekly at first. Build trust. And always vet with a short paid task before committing fully.
What payment method works best?
I recommend Wise (formerly TransferWise) —it’s cheap, fast, and trusted in the Philippines.
Can I hire part time?
Yes. Many VAs work 20 hours/week. Just say so in your job post—and adjust the pay accordingly.
Do I need to manage taxes or contracts?
Nope. You’re hiring as a contractor. You may want to sign a basic independent contractor agreement, but nothing legal is required by OnlineJobs.ph.
Ready to Hire a VA? Here’s What to Do Next 👇
You now have the exact blueprint to hire a smart, skilled Filipino virtual assistant using one of the best job boards in the world—OnlineJobs.ph.
If you’re tired of doing everything yourself… this is your sign.
👉 Sign up. Post your job. Test & interview. Make your first hire—and breathe easier next week than you did this week.
—
Eli Mercer
Solopreneur | AI Strategist | Founder, NextGenAIFinder.com