Quote from Robert Hytha on March 29, 2024, 10:43 pmI wrote this process 6 years ago in January '18 and continue to work with the same VA. I have helped a few other solopreneurs find help. The most recent challenge (from someone following these steps last year), is the need to repost if a competitor flags your ad inappropriate (I'm guessing agencies try to keep the pipeline of cheap talent to themselves...)
CLICK THE BOXES BELOW TO EXPAND AD/EMAIL TEXT
STEP 1: Created ad on Manila Craigslist:
We are looking for a motivated, rockstar VA to join our fast growing real estate company.
This is a part-time opportunity that will develop into a full-time position for the right candidate.
JOB DESCRIPTION You will be keeping our Podio CRM system up-to-date by managing leads, assets for sale, offers & research.
Required
Strong English skills in both written and verbal communications
Works well independently
Well organized and able to work well under pressure
Must be highly punctual
Must be able to communicate problems and solutions effectively
Must always have a great attitude and willing to learn
Must have excellent computer skills
Great internet connection
Reliable computer
Prior real estate experience is a PLUS
This position will be a very important role for the future growth of our company. As we grow there will be more responsibilities and of course more compensation.
This position will begin immediately.
If you feel you meet the requirements, please reply with an email including:
the reason why you're interested in the position
the one thing you're most proud of
your required wage + hourly availability
your LinkedIn Profile or Resume
After reviewing your email, we will send a link to apply via our web form.
STEP 2: Received messages from a dozen candidates, sent them this email:
Thanks for sending your resume!
My name is Robert Hytha, founder of FIXnotes LLC
We are hiring for several positions, starting with a general VA to keep our Podio CRM up to date while helping to develop our processes.
Depending on your skill set, there is potential to develop into a manager or work on other tasks as we grow our team.
I will be interested in reviewing your application and video introduction (submit in the link below).
Please submit your application in the form included here: FIXnotes.com/now-hiring
Looking forward to seeing your video introduction!
STEP 3: 9 candidates took this next step and submitted the form. Of these, 4 followed all instructions and recorded the requested video.
After general contact info, here are the questions I asked (data captured via Podio webform):
Tell us about yourself. Who are you? What are your passions? How do you live?
Are you currently working? Do you have a job? What are you doing tomorrow?
What are you most proud of? What is your best accomplishment?
Why is this your dream job? Why do you want to work with us?
Where do you see yourself professionally? In the next 3 years? 5 years? 10+ years?
Motivation & Experience Please give your motivation for applying for this job. What experience do you have with Podio? Office administration? United States real estate and business?
Required Salary What is your hourly rate? If possible, how many hours per week would you like to work?
Video Link Upload a video to YouTube introducing yourself. Explain why you will excel in this position (make sure it is not private), share with us here. No longer than 5 minutes..
STEP 4: Of my four top candidates, I chose a 26 year old MBA student named Earlnest. After one month of work he has proven himself to be intelligent, hard working and effective. Previously he was earning <$2 per hour with a Florida based RE company. I pay him $3 an hour + $20 bonus per deal closed.
Hope this helps you get started!
March '24 Update - EJ is now making ~$2k per month + bonuses
I wrote this process 6 years ago in January '18 and continue to work with the same VA. I have helped a few other solopreneurs find help. The most recent challenge (from someone following these steps last year), is the need to repost if a competitor flags your ad inappropriate (I'm guessing agencies try to keep the pipeline of cheap talent to themselves...)
CLICK THE BOXES BELOW TO EXPAND AD/EMAIL TEXT
STEP 1: Created ad on Manila Craigslist:
We are looking for a motivated, rockstar VA to join our fast growing real estate company.
This is a part-time opportunity that will develop into a full-time position for the right candidate.
JOB DESCRIPTION You will be keeping our Podio CRM system up-to-date by managing leads, assets for sale, offers & research.
Required
Strong English skills in both written and verbal communications
Works well independently
Well organized and able to work well under pressure
Must be highly punctual
Must be able to communicate problems and solutions effectively
Must always have a great attitude and willing to learn
Must have excellent computer skills
Great internet connection
Reliable computer
Prior real estate experience is a PLUS
This position will be a very important role for the future growth of our company. As we grow there will be more responsibilities and of course more compensation.
This position will begin immediately.
If you feel you meet the requirements, please reply with an email including:
the reason why you're interested in the position
the one thing you're most proud of
your required wage + hourly availability
your LinkedIn Profile or Resume
After reviewing your email, we will send a link to apply via our web form.
STEP 2: Received messages from a dozen candidates, sent them this email:
Thanks for sending your resume!
My name is Robert Hytha, founder of FIXnotes LLC
We are hiring for several positions, starting with a general VA to keep our Podio CRM up to date while helping to develop our processes.
Depending on your skill set, there is potential to develop into a manager or work on other tasks as we grow our team.
I will be interested in reviewing your application and video introduction (submit in the link below).
Please submit your application in the form included here: FIXnotes.com/now-hiring
Looking forward to seeing your video introduction!
STEP 3: 9 candidates took this next step and submitted the form. Of these, 4 followed all instructions and recorded the requested video.
After general contact info, here are the questions I asked (data captured via Podio webform):
Tell us about yourself. Who are you? What are your passions? How do you live?
Are you currently working? Do you have a job? What are you doing tomorrow?
What are you most proud of? What is your best accomplishment?
Why is this your dream job? Why do you want to work with us?
Where do you see yourself professionally? In the next 3 years? 5 years? 10+ years?
Motivation & Experience Please give your motivation for applying for this job. What experience do you have with Podio? Office administration? United States real estate and business?
Required Salary What is your hourly rate? If possible, how many hours per week would you like to work?
Video Link Upload a video to YouTube introducing yourself. Explain why you will excel in this position (make sure it is not private), share with us here. No longer than 5 minutes..
STEP 4: Of my four top candidates, I chose a 26 year old MBA student named Earlnest. After one month of work he has proven himself to be intelligent, hard working and effective. Previously he was earning <$2 per hour with a Florida based RE company. I pay him $3 an hour + $20 bonus per deal closed.
Hope this helps you get started!
March '24 Update - EJ is now making ~$2k per month + bonuses
Quote from Roman on September 1, 2024, 3:41 pmHi Rob!
Thank you for a very informative article.
I would also like to expand on the topic of sharing extremely sensitive debts information with an external assistant and his/her verification of phone conversations with borrowers.
Even if I fully train a VA from, say, the Philippines in the necessary terminology, there's no guarantee that their English will be strong enough to understand sarcasm or idioms. Moreover, you would need to share sensitive information about the borrower, including their initial loan amount and debt.There are also compliance requirements to consider when speaking to borrowers, which prohibit me from disclosing their financial situation to third parties (like a VA), especially if they are non-U.S. residents.
This could open the door to potential fraud, where some VA could impersonate an employee of my company and deceive the borrower into transferring money to a shell company, thus defrauding both the borrower and lender.
Hi Rob!
Thank you for a very informative article.
I would also like to expand on the topic of sharing extremely sensitive debts information with an external assistant and his/her verification of phone conversations with borrowers.
Even if I fully train a VA from, say, the Philippines in the necessary terminology, there's no guarantee that their English will be strong enough to understand sarcasm or idioms. Moreover, you would need to share sensitive information about the borrower, including their initial loan amount and debt.
There are also compliance requirements to consider when speaking to borrowers, which prohibit me from disclosing their financial situation to third parties (like a VA), especially if they are non-U.S. residents.
This could open the door to potential fraud, where some VA could impersonate an employee of my company and deceive the borrower into transferring money to a shell company, thus defrauding both the borrower and lender.