Iliahi, operations manager for a resort-area rental agency, remembers when her team was firmly against the idea of hiring remote staff. But managing 20 complexes and hundreds of reservations pushed their on-site team to the limit. Tasks like reservation checks, date changes, and code generation were eating into time better spent in person with guests.
"We initially dug our heels in," said Iliahi. "We pride ourselves in our office that there's no automated calls. There's not someone in another country. It's the owners and staff that the guests know and see face to face that answer the calls. But it's a lot of data entry, and that takes away our on-site staff from hands-on inventory, going out for inspections on check-ins and checkouts," said Iliahi.
Eventually, the team made the leap from “No” to “Yes” and hired two remote staff members through HireSmart Virtual Employees. The impact was immediate.
"It frees us up to be more hands-on here," said Iliahi. "They're able to complete all those administrative tasks for us and free us up for more important things that we need to take care of."
From Resistance to Results
One of the agency’s hires, Jerahmeel (“Jera”), has exceeded expectations—taking ownership of tasks and helping lead both virtual and in-office staff. For a team once skeptical of remote staffing, the shift has been a game changer.
"It's been nice to see Jera grow into that," Iliahi said. "You would think she's right here with us with some of these calls."
A Remote Employment Agency That Makes It Easy
HireSmart isn’t just a typical office staffing agency. It's a highly specialized remote employment agency that helps clients find reliable, trained professionals from the Philippines.
The process includes:
A detailed needs assessment with the client.
An in-depth search and vetting process.
Presentation of three qualified candidates.
A 40-hour training and certification program before onboarding.
Ongoing support after placement.
Only 1% of applicants pass HireSmart’s testing and interviews to qualify for client placement, ensuring businesses receive dependable, high-performing team members.
Remote Staff, Real Benefits
As an office staffing agency, HireSmart also focuses on long-term value for clients and employees alike. Their remote staffing solutions are affordable, efficient, and human-centered. Employees receive health and dental benefits at no cost to the client, and HireSmart even offers scholarships to their virtual employees’ children.
For Iliahi, the ability to grow her team without expanding office space or costs has been a win.
"If you're thinking about [hiring remote staff], go ahead and jump on board because it's been great for us so far."
Curious About Adding Remote Staff to Your Team?
If you’ve been hesitant about hiring remotely, take it from Iliahi—saying “Yes” to the right remote employment agency can lead to more time, less stress, and better results. Let’s talk about how HireSmart can help.