Effortlessly Connect with Top Outsourced Talent via Our Streamlined Job Board
How It Functions
step 1
List a Job or Browse Resumes
Search Resumes
Actively search for talent with the skills that match your needs.
Publish a Job Opening
step 2
Discover the ideal team member
- Connect with candidates through a simple email.
- Interview them as you would any regular hire.
- Choose the ideal fit.
- Make an offer discuss salary, hours, and expectations.
- In many cases, they’re ready to start right away!
step 3
Recruit and Oversee
• Track employee work hours with Timeproof.
• Pay them via EasyPay (after a week of work, not before).
• No need to worry about taxes or 1099 forms. Once hired, you don’t even need to keep your OnlineJobs.ph subscription active.
• Master the art of hiring and managing your Filipino team.
• Done-for-you VA SOP Training Library: VAs Made Easy.
Grab our Quick Start Guide and get up to speed quickly.
Discover how to successfully hire the perfect Virtual Assistant with our detailed, step-by-step process.
Take advantage of our ready-to-use VA SOP Training Library to get your Virtual Assistants fully trained.
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Account Information & Costs
What does the free account get me?
The Free plan lets you post a job and view incoming applications, giving you a sense of the available talent. However, you won’t be able to access applicants’ contact details or communicate with them until you upgrade.
We intentionally don’t offer a free trial—interviewing candidates is only available after you’ve purchased a subscription.
Why am I unable to reach out to workers with a free account?
Allowing employers to contact workers without a paid account tends to attract scams, which can lead to low-quality interactions and harm the platform for everyone involved.
Charging for communication helps maintain a safe and trustworthy environment—and also supports our ability to keep the platform running.
You’re welcome to view full worker profiles and post jobs at no cost. You’ll be able to see all submitted applications and evaluate candidates’ skills and interest in your role. Communication, however, becomes available once you’ve upgraded your account.
Why is payment required in advance? It feels like a bigger risk on my end.
With our money-back guarantee, the risk is minimal. If you don’t find the right person for your role, simply request a refund—no hassle. We’re a US-based company, and we stand by our promise.
We ask for payment upfront so we can avoid marking up salaries. This keeps costs transparent and eliminates the need for middlemen or inflated fees.
Once you experience OnlineJobs.ph, we’re confident you’ll see the value. Most users who try it never return to traditional outsourcing platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
Could you explain why there’s no cheaper plan?
For eight years, OnlineJobs.ph was available at just $49, without any price increase. However, due to rising operational costs, we felt an adjustment was necessary and justified.
Lower pricing often attracts scammers, creates more competition for hiring, and brings in low-quality employers. Our goal is to foster a community of serious, respectful employers who truly value their hires.
Your investment also supports ongoing platform improvements—ensuring a smoother, more effective hiring experience for everyone.
Is it possible to upgrade from Pro to Premium or switch my plan from Monthly to Annual?
Yes, if you start with a monthly Pro subscription, you can upgrade to Premium at any time by paying the prorated difference for the remaining period. The exact upgrade cost will be displayed on the Premierislandjobs.com/pricing page.
Similarly, you’re welcome to switch from a monthly to an annual plan, and your most recent monthly payment will be fully credited toward the annual subscription cost.”
Would you like a more casual version too, or something tailored for an FAQ or support center?
Paying Your Virtual Team
What’s the process for paying workers?
EasyPay makes paying your workers simple—it’s built right into the platform and doesn’t require a separate account.
Alternatively, you’re free to use other payment methods like PayPal, WorldRemit, or Wise. We don’t require you to process payments through us.
As for how much you pay, that’s entirely up to you and what you agree upon with the worker during the hiring process.
How do I make payments through EasyPay?
We’ve been working with Filipino workers for over 15 years and have explored every payment method available. In the end, we found that most options were slow, took advantage of workers, inflated exchange rates, and included hidden fees.
That’s why we created EasyPay—to address all of these issues. It’s the payment system we use for our own workers, and they love it.
– Transfers are fast (the first transaction takes 3-5 days, but after that, it typically takes under 48 hours, often even less).
– EasyPay uses the actual exchange rate (with only a 2% reduction when transferring funds to the worker’s bank account. For comparison, PayPal takes 5%-7%).
– There are no hidden fees.
– It’s a system where everyone is treated fairly.
You can pay your workers directly from your OnlineJobs.ph account, even if you cancel your subscription. It’s always accessible, and the process is always straightforward.
What’s the cost for hiring full-time, part-time, or hourly employees?
Full-time
Full-time salaries range from $400 to $2000 per month.
At $400, you’ll typically find candidates with little to no experience—suitable for data entry work.
Around $700/month, you can expect skilled professionals with a couple of years of experience, excellent English, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to your business.
For top-tier talent, look at salaries above $1000/month.
Part-time
Part-time salaries are typically around 65% of the full-time salary. It’s not a straight halving of the pay because part-time work is considered less stable.
Since part-time work isn’t enough to fully support a family, it’s often seen as more risky, though still very affordable for you.
Hourly
Hourly rates range from $3 to $15 per hour.
At $3, you’re hiring a beginner with limited experience.
At $15, you’re hiring an expert.
Additional Notes:
Your pay rate is negotiable, based on what you and the worker agree on. We don’t set salary amounts—the worker’s profile will indicate their desired salary, but it’s not fixed; you can pay less or more.
Filipinos generally prefer salaried positions. Hourly pay is often seen as temporary work, although this is not always the case, and turnover may be higher with hourly positions.
You can absolutely hire someone on an hourly basis.
For more insights, check out our Comprehensive Guide to VA Salaries in the Philippines.
To get a better understanding of fair pay, review multiple profiles with the skills you’re looking for. This will give you a clearer idea of what to expect when it comes to salary expectations.
Is it better to pay hourly or on a salary?
We highly recommend paying a salary, as Filipinos tend to prefer it. From our experience, employers often see faster business success when they offer a salaried position rather than hourly. Paying hourly is more akin to being a manager, while paying a salary is like taking on the role of CEO.
That said, the choice is ultimately up to you. Just make sure to agree on the terms with the worker before hiring them.
Above all, ensure you’re paying a fair wage. It’s important to treat your workers with respect and compensate them appropriately.
Canceling Your Account
Do I need to keep my subscription active once I’ve hired someone?
No, you’re not required to keep your subscription. There are no time commitments or contracts.
Once you’ve finished recruiting, you can cancel your subscription and still continue using TimeProof and EasyPay.
However, if you’re on the Premium plan, the worker coaching service might be a useful benefit!
The amount you pay your worker is entirely based on what you negotiate with them before hiring.”
Let me know if you want it further refined or in a different style!
How can I cancel my subscription?
Canceling your subscription is quick and simple. From your Account Dashboard, hover over the ‘Account’ dropdown.
Next, select ‘Billing’ and then click on ‘Cancel Subscription.
Will I still have access to EasyPay and TimeProof if I cancel?
Yes, they remain accessible for free at all times.
Assurance
How can I find a reliable person?
Trust is a complex issue. We often don’t trust things that are unfamiliar to us.
However, workers from certain regions tend to be more trustworthy than others. There’s a unique culture of honesty, especially when working with foreign employers. You’ll notice this almost immediately after hiring someone.
They genuinely want to make you happy, earn your trust, and deliver excellent work. It took us over a year to fully realize how much we could trust workers from these regions. Today, we trust new hires from day one. As you work with someone, you’ll start to notice small things that will help you determine whether or not you can trust them.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that workers in any region may initially feel the same distrust that you might have. They don’t always trust you at first, so you’ll need to take steps to build their trust.
To gain trust, here’s how you can find and qualify the right person:
Ask plenty of questions during the interview, preferably over email—it’s quicker than a live interview. You’ll quickly learn who you can trust and who you can’t.
Inquire about their experience, previous work, problem-solving approaches, their living situation, family, internet speed, and computer setup.
These questions will help you gauge their personality and weed out the unreliable candidates.
By asking detailed questions, you’ll quickly figure out whether or not you can trust someone.
Before hiring, always give candidates a small test task to complete. If someone is not willing to do a simple task, it’s a red flag.
If you follow the right recruitment steps, finding someone you can trust is straightforward. Ultimately, trust is earned, and they’ll work to earn yours.
Should I implement time tracking for my employees?
Employers have different approaches when it comes to time tracking. We don’t use it ourselves because we find it feels a bit too ‘big brother,’ and many workers, particularly in the Philippines, feel the same way. However, some employers swear by it.
To make things easier for those who want to track time, we created TimeProof.
Whether you choose to track time or not, you’ll likely be able to assess a worker’s productivity based on the quality and quantity of their output.
We don’t recommend paying based on tracked hours alone. This approach doesn’t align well with the culture in the Philippines, it can be unfair to workers, and it often leads to disappointment with the work. We’ve seen this happen quite frequently.
Can I have confidence in your website and your services?
Well, we believe you can trust us, but ultimately, that’s for you to decide.
We’ve had hundreds of thousands of employers use our platform. As a USA-based company, we’re not some fly-by-night operation.
You can check reviews and see what other employers are saying about their experiences. You can also look at the real results others are achieving.
Ultimately, we offer a money-back guarantee, and we honor it.
Your credit card information is handled with Visa-compliant security, and it’s not processed in the Philippines.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Protection
How do I protect myself and my sensitive information?
There are several steps you can take to ensure your safety:
Use a password manager like LastPass
This tool lets you share access to accounts without revealing the password. You can revoke access at any time, so you never have to worry about someone hijacking an account since they never had the password in the first place.
Don’t give full access initially
Start by granting limited access and gradually increase permissions as you build trust.
The Philippines has strict laws on theft
The government takes theft seriously, especially digital theft. In fact, penalties for digital theft are twice as severe as those for regular theft, reflecting the importance of VAs to the economy. They don’t want to steal your sensitive information.
Your VA is like an employee in your office
Just like someone in your office could potentially steal sensitive information, so could a VA. However, in the Philippines, the likelihood of theft is lower due to strict theft laws and the fact that this information isn’t particularly valuable to them.
Taking these steps to protect yourself is simple and effective. Don’t give a new VA full access right away.
I’ve seen hundreds of thousands of employers hire VAs from the Philippines, including those in industries that deal with sensitive information, like HIPAA-compliant businesses and those subject to SCC regulations. Very few instances of theft have occurred, and most of those were due to employers not paying for completed work.”
Random Interesting Questions
Legal Obligations
We’re not legal experts, so we can’t provide legal advice. We recommend consulting with your attorney.
However, based on our experience and consultations with multiple attorneys over the years, here’s what we’ve learned:
No Employer of Record is needed. The person you hire is classified as an independent contractor.
The only way to label them as an “employee” is if you decide to classify them as such in your country, but this is typically not necessary.
In the Philippines, there’s no way to classify someone as an employee unless you have a legal business presence there (which you likely do not).
We have not encountered any legal reporting or compliance requirements from any government we’ve worked with, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and others.
You can offer benefits, paid time off, set work hours, provide equipment, and even have them work full-time or exclusively for you… they will still be considered an independent contractor.
Thanks to tax treaties (which we’ve thoroughly reviewed), the individual you hire is responsible for paying their own taxes in the Philippines. You cannot withhold taxes for them, nor are you liable if they fail to pay. They are accountable for their own taxes.
Many customers mention that their accountants or attorneys have given them different advice, but after doing this since 2005, we’ve never had anyone—whether accountant, attorney, or customer—offer any credible justification that contradicts what we’ve shared here.
THERE ARE NO LEGAL REQUIREMENTS!
If you do find any legal requirements, we’d be happy to hear about them.
Are there truly talented workers who can deliver great results?
The short answer: YES!
We’ve successfully hired talented professionals in various fields, including programmers, designers, content writers, SEO specialists, lead generation experts, data entry staff, customer service representatives, and more.
For example, Paul H. hired an investment banking analyst. He’s a $250,000/year professional in the US, but we’re paying him just $1,500/month, and his work is exceptional.
Melissa E. hired a VA with a JD (law degree). They refer to her as their ‘litigation paralegal’ because, while she can’t act as an attorney, she handles significant tasks for their legal team.
Others have hired CAD designers, engineers, e-commerce experts, financial planners, realtors, email marketers, and even someone to design and send physical mailers. Basically, if it can be done online or on a computer, you can find someone talented to handle it.
The talent available is comparable to what you’d find in the US, but at a fraction of the cost—about 1/10th.
While we can’t guarantee you’ll find the perfect candidate (except, well, we do!), our database of over 2,000,000 worker profiles offers a wide variety of skilled professionals.
We rarely encounter an employer who can’t find a good fit. Usually, the issue is employers looking for someone to do everything, which often leads to dissatisfaction. But that’s probably not the case for you, right?
And remember, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. If you don’t find the right fit, just let us know.
Are the jobseekers listed on the site employed by PremierIslandjobs.com?
No, all workers on the site are independent individuals who register their own accounts.
PremierIslandJobs.com is a platform for posting job listings and resumes. You communicate, interview, hire, and pay the workers directly.
We simply provide the platform for you to connect.
(We do have 21 full-time employees who work for and on PremierIslandJobs.com.
What tax considerations should I be aware of?
We’re not CPAs or attorneys, so we’re not qualified to offer tax advice.
We recommend speaking with your accountant or attorney for guidance.
However, based on our experience, the main tax implication is that the wages you pay are deductible on your taxes—that’s about it.
You should have your contractor fill out a W-8BEN form, which verifies they are a foreign independent contractor. Keep this form for your records.
That’s all you need to do.
There’s no need for a 1099 form (they’re not based in the US). There’s no tax withholding (since they aren’t paying US taxes). There are no government reporting requirements, no unemployment insurance, and no mandated benefits.
You can’t classify them as an employee in your country. In fact, the government of their country prohibits you from doing so unless you have a legal entity there, which you don’t. They remain an independent contractor.
The US government has no tax or reporting obligations with workers from their country, nor do the governments of Canada, the UK, Australia, or any other countries we’ve worked with.
For a more detailed explanation, refer to our full guide on taxes.
If you’re in the US, just make sure they fill out a W-8BEN form.
What sets you apart from Upwork?
No Commission on Salaries: We do not take a percentage of your workers’ earnings, ensuring they receive the full compensation they deserve.
No Salary Markup: We ensure transparency in financial dealings by not adding any markup to the salaries you agree upon with your workers.
Direct Communication: We encourage open and direct communication channels between you and your workers, facilitating clearer and more efficient interactions without any mediation.
Flexible Payment Options: You have the flexibility to choose how you pay your workers, whether through us or another method that suits your business operations.
Focus on Long-term Employment: Unlike platforms like Upwork, which are geared towards short-term gigs, we advocate for stable, long-term employment, helping you build a consistent and loyal workforce which we believe is key to long-term business success.
Enhanced Job Security for Workers: By promoting permanent roles, we offer greater job security for workers, which contributes to higher job satisfaction and productivity.
Reduced Recruitment Costs: With our focus on long-term placements, your recruitment costs are likely to decrease as you spend less time and resources on frequent hiring cycles.
Concentrated on job postings.
All types of accounts—Free, Pro, and Premium—have the ability to create job posts on the platform. However, there are a few important distinctions between them. For users on a Free account, any newly created job post must first undergo a moderation and approval process before it becomes visible on the website. This helps ensure quality and relevance across all listings. Additionally, Free account users are not able to contact job applicants directly unless they choose to upgrade to a paid plan.
In terms of posting limits, Free and Pro accounts are allowed up to three active job posts at a time. If you attempt to post more than three, you will need to deactivate or delete an existing listing to make space. Premium account holders benefit from a higher limit, with the ability to have up to ten active job posts running simultaneously.
If you’re using a Free account and you can’t locate your job post on the site, it’s most likely still under review as part of the moderation process. If it has already been approved, it might not appear on the first page of search results and could instead be listed on a subsequent page. Also, please note that all job posts created with a Free account have a 14-day lifespan and will automatically expire once that period ends, unless renewed or reposted.
Each job post can be updated once every seven days. When you edit a listing, it will be repositioned higher in the search results, giving it improved visibility. However, please be aware that our platform does not currently support paid “boosting” or promotion of individual job posts beyond this feature.
For each job listing, you have the option to set a custom reply-to email address where applications will be sent. If at any point you wish to stop receiving job applications via email, you can simply click the “unsubscribe” link included at the bottom of those messages.
If you want to deactivate or permanently delete a job post, you can easily manage your listings through the My Account page. From there, you can view, update, or remove any of your active or expired posts.
This system has been designed to provide flexibility while maintaining quality and fairness across all users—ensuring that job seekers and employers alike have a productive experience on the platform.
Recruiting takes too much of my time. Would you be able to manage it on my behalf?
Yes, we can—but it’s not something we prefer to do.
If you’re short on time, that’s all the more reason to hire someone. Bringing someone on board to take over the tasks you’re currently handling is the fastest way to free up your schedule.
That said, we’ve found that when clients manage their own recruitment, the success rate is significantly higher compared to when we do it for them.
Where do the virtual assistants or team members carry out their work?
“Our VAs and team members typically work remotely from the comfort of their homes. In some cases, they may choose to work from a nearby internet café or another reliable location with a stable connection. Regardless of where they work, we ensure they have access to the tools and environment needed to stay productive and deliver high-quality results.”
What’s the usual timeframe for work or availability?"
Account Subscription
There’s no required timeframe for keeping your OnlineJobs.ph account. You can cancel your subscription at any time, even after hiring someone. Once you’ve found the right VA and no longer need to recruit, feel free to cancel—it’s that simple.Work Arrangements
The working hours or schedule you agree on with your VA are completely up to you. Some employers hire full-time at 40 hours per week and keep their VAs long-term—years, even. Others might only need someone for a one-time task lasting just a few hours. You could also agree on part-time work, like 4–5 hours per week, 10 hours per week, or any setup that works for both sides. You simply pay based on the hours worked.Hiring Process Timeframe
If you approach it efficiently, the entire hiring process—from job posting to interviewing and onboarding—can take as little as 2–3 hours of your time in total. The key is knowing what you’re looking for and following a focused, step-by-step process.
Most workers on the platform are seeking full-time or part-time roles, but many are also open to temporary or flexible arrangements—especially if they’re currently between jobs. Some highly experienced professionals may have specific conditions or preferences, so it all depends on the individual and the agreement you work out together.
What time zones do workers typically follow?
How Do Timezones Work?
If you’re based in the U.S., many remote workers in Southeast Asia are typically 12–14 hours ahead. From the U.K., the time difference is usually around 8 hours.
You can absolutely ask someone to work within your timezone (for example, 9am–5pm EST). Just make sure they’re already comfortable with that kind of schedule during the hiring process. It’s best not to hire someone who’s used to working daytime hours in their local timezone and expect them to suddenly switch to working nights—it can be challenging and unsustainable.
Personally, most of my team members work on their own schedules. I usually find that part of my workday overlaps with theirs. Some prefer working late at night, so I connect with them in my mornings. Others start early, and I catch them in my afternoons. This flexible approach keeps things smooth and keeps them happy.
That said, if you prefer your team member to follow specific working hours, that’s totally fine. Just be sure to clearly outline your expectations when posting the job.
Shifting your current staff to PremierIslandJobs
Want to Move Your Worker to Our Platform?
This question often comes from employers who want to take advantage of features like Timeproof and EasyPay for team members they’ve already hired—tools that are only available through PremierIslandJobs.
One of the biggest incentives is payments. With PremierIslandJobs, workers receive the full amount you send—there are no hidden fees or percentage cuts taken from their pay (unlike platforms like Upwork). You’re paying your workers directly, and they keep 100% of it.
Additionally, we’ve partnered with Payoneer to waive transaction and withdrawal fees when you pay through our EasyPay system. Normally, Payoneer charges a 1% transaction fee, but this is completely removed when using EasyPay.
So how do you move your worker to PremierIslandJobs?
Is your worker eligible?
We currently support workers from a specific region only. If your worker meets this requirement, they’ll need to have an active worker account on PremierIslandJobs.If your worker does NOT meet the eligibility criteria, they won’t be able to join the platform, and you won’t be able to manage them through PremierIslandJobs.
If your worker already has an account, ask them to share their profile link with you. You can then go to their profile and click the “Mark as Hired” button.
If your worker doesn’t have an account yet, they’ll need to sign up on PremierIslandJobs and complete their profile. Once they’re verified, they can send you their profile link so you can mark them as hired.
Bottom line:
To move your worker to PremierIslandJobs, they must meet our regional criteria and have an active, verified worker account. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to manage them using features like Timeproof and EasyPay—making payroll and time tracking easier and more transparent for both of you.
Need more information? Contact our team.
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