Bringing any new employee onto your team feels like a leap of faith. When that employee works remotely from another country, that leap can seem even more daunting. But here’s the truth: success with global hiring isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation and process. 

The key difference between thriving and struggling with a virtual employee often comes down to those crucial first weeks. Just as you wouldn’t throw a local hire into deep waters without orientation, your virtual employee needs proper onboarding to shine. 

Smart Onboarding: The Foundation for Success 

Whether hiring locally or globally, these fundamental onboarding principles set the stage for a fresh start in any new working relationship: 

1. Clear Expectations: Document role responsibilities, communication protocols, and performance metrics before day one.

2. Technology Setup: Ensure all necessary tools and access are ready when your employee starts.

3. Communication Rhythm: Establish regular check-ins and feedback loops early.

4. Process Documentation: Create step-by-step guides for core tasks.

5. Cultural Integration: Help your new hire understand your company values and work style.

Why Agency Support Matters 

This is where HireSmart’s 40-hour certification program becomes a game-changer. Before your virtual employee (VE) starts their first day with you, they undergo intensive training tailored to succeed in a U.S. business environment. 

47 Tasks A Virtual Employee Can Do for Your Business 

Mel, a member of HireSmart’s certification training team, said she finds great satisfaction in helping other Filipino VEs prepare for the roles with U.S. clients. She said VEs must focus on continued education, which is also a priority for Mel, who continues to takes classes to boost her effectiveness as a trainer. 

“Every day, I’m teaching the VEs about how to be successful with their client,” she said. “It’s a fulfilling thing for me because I want to be successful with my client, and that’s the reason why I learned and tried to exceed her expectations. Don’t just settle for what your client is telling you. If you can, upskill in other ways, then you can help your client with other things. So it’s fulfilling for me to talk to them and share what I have experienced and what I’m doing to succeed.” 

The certification process serves as a crucial bridge between hiring and successful integration. Think of it as a one-week working interview where your potential VE proves their capabilities while learning essential skills for success. 

What Makes Our Certification Different 

Our certification program covers: 

• U.S. business communication standards
• Time management across zones
• Problem-solving protocols
• Industry-specific terminology
• Performance expectations
• Core value alignment
• Technology proficiency

The results speak for themselves. Josephat, a HireSmart VE, notes: “It’s very challenging. I also joined interviews and exams with other agencies, but not like HireSmart. They really make you ready before you join your client. So it’s really a big help.” 

Beyond Certification: Your Success Path 

When you partner with HireSmart, you receive: 

1. Pre-Start Preparation: We help you identify your top three tasks and develop clear processes.

2. Customized Training: Your VE receives focused training on your specific industry needs.

3. Ongoing Support: Both you and your VE have access to our team for questions and guidance.

4. Performance Tools: We provide templates for daily reports and performance reviews.

This comprehensive approach yields impressive results.  

When I look at other agencies that don’t have that training up front, they’re a little bit slower at picking up,” said one of our clients. “We are very busy department. We have multiple avenues of contact and the virtual employees coming from HireSmart, they just pick it up. They are just able to pick it up a lot faster. And they have a better understanding of what it is we do here.” 

Go Deeper Than The Dollar: Be Rich In Employee Currencies 

Building Long-Term Success 

Our certification program isn’t just about getting started – it’s about creating lasting partnerships. We’ve found that properly certified VEs stay longer, perform better, and add more value to their client’s businesses. 

Consider this: about 8% of candidates don’t pass our certification process. While that might seem high, it’s precisely why we maintain a 98% successful placement rate. We identify potential issues before they impact your business. 

We also invest in our virtual employees by providing health and dental coverage, educational scholarship opportunities for their children, and leadership training opportunities. Our clients pay us a flat rate and don’t have to worry about providing benefits to the VEs. We handle that.  

With that investment, our VEs are invested in serving our clients because they can take care of their families. 

Anne Lackey’s Company Offers a Unique Virtual Solution for Staffing Issues 

“If not for the scholarship, we wouldn’t be able to have our child enrolled in the school,” said one VE whose child received HireSmart’s educational scholarship. “So it’s really a great help for us. We can see how our kid is developing and see how much he has learned.” 

Your Next Steps 

Ready to expand your team with confidence? Here’s how to begin: 

• Book: schedule a quick 30-minute discovery call here.

• Engage: tell us your top three-time consuming tasks and relax while we start a custom search to find the right candidates for you

•  Choose: interview three outstanding candidates we have carefully curated and select the person you like the best

•  Onboard: bring them on just like you would any employee, and confidently grow your best team

Successful hiring isn’t about finding shortcuts. It’s about following a proven path. Our certification program provides that path, ensuring both you and your VE start your journey together on solid ground. 

To learn more about how our certification program can help you build a stronger, more efficient team, click here to schedule a consultation today.