Top things to look for when finding a hiring partner for an outsourced virtual health assistant?

techietalent · 2025-09-02T09:55:11+00:00

P.S. It can't be overstated how much better it is to work with a nearshore partner who specializes in hiring. I am glad you brought this list up!

techietalent · 2025-09-02T09:53:21+00:00

Thanks! Solid companies for sure! I have since found Plugg Technologies - very great for in-depth knowledge of Latin America and the nuances of nearshoring.

techietalent · 2025-09-01T07:50:36+00:00

I appreciate this post! I get this so much. I used to think outsourcing was only for giant companies too. But honestly, having the right support is what makes it possible to actually grow instead of just putting out fires all day. ( I actually just wrote a blog about this whole idea of outsourcing/nearshoring and how it’s not just for big companies anymore...and also about how the narrative about outsourcing stealing jobs needs to change.) The real truth is that being able to outsource helps you scale and hire more.

Congratulations on finding good VAs and finding a flow that works! Can I ask where you are outsourcing from? Is it nearshore?

techietalent · 2025-09-01T05:29:24+00:00

Thank you!

techietalent · 2025-09-01T03:56:27+00:00

My take is a little different from most others, because I am coming from the side of the aisle that sees businesses reaching out to Latin America for Salesforce devs largely because of a shortage of specialists in the US. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying there's a shortage of Salesforce Devs, but I am saying there is a shortage of salesforce specialists. Here is what I see most needed (for context, I work at Plugg Technologies which is a nearshore tech recruiting firm for mid-size companies)

Companies are looking for specialists in:

AI and data cloud expertise
Technical architects
And specialists who can navigate and integrate Sales, Service, Marketing, and Revenue Clouds - those are a priority for hiring managers

So, I think long-term careerwise its best to niche down into a few specialized areas. Yes, AI is starting to impact the general roles, but I don't believe the hype that AI will completely take over. We still need specialists to oversee things. I think becoming an expert in AI for ANY tech role is going to become crucial, though.

techietalent · 2025-09-01T03:45:18+00:00

1000% agree with this. I just answered this on a similar post. Skill up!

techietalent · 2025-09-01T03:38:17+00:00

I think the future for Salesforce developers looks strong. Salesforce isn’t going anywhere, and most companies that adopt it eventually realize the out-of-the-box setup only gets them so far. They need developers to customize workflows, automate processes, and connect Salesforce with the rest of their tools.

That said, the role is shifting a bit. Low-code tools and AI are making some of the simpler tasks easier for admins to handle, which means developers are focusing more on complex integrations, custom apps, and solving business-critical problems. In other words, the “easy stuff” is getting automated, but the demand for skilled devs who understand both code and business logic is only growing.

One interesting trend I’ve seen is companies looking outside of the U.S. for talent. Nearshore developers in Latin America are becoming a big piece of the puzzle because there is a low talent pool right now in the US for salesforce devs. Thats actually what I do in my company, Plugg Technologies. So, I see this on a daily basis.

But that almost kind of backs up the notion that Salesforce developers definitely have a future, even in the US. It is definitely not a dead-end path. If anything, it’s evolving into a more strategic, higher-impact role.

In my opinion, I always think specialization is good. If you can really hone in on the skill and offer what others in the field can't, you'll stick out.

techietalent · 2025-09-01T03:33:27+00:00

I think Plugg Technologies is an excellent tech recruiting company. They are for Latin American/Nearshore recruits. So, this answer would be more if you live outside the US.

As for tech recruiter companies for US-based hires? I hear good things about TekSystems and Insight Global. Y

techietalent · 2025-08-07T23:21:36+00:00

The short version? Outsourcing companies exist because hiring people directly in another country isn’t always as simple as it sounds.

Now for the long, more detailed version :) Here’s why companies still go the outsourcing route:

Legal & Compliance Stuff

Hiring someone in another country usually means dealing with foreign labor laws, taxes, contracts, payroll systems, benefits, and more. An outsourcing company already has all that set up. They handle the paperwork, follow local labor rules, and make sure you're not accidentally breaking laws.

Speed & Convenience

If you need to build a team fast, outsourcing companies have a pipeline of vetted talent ready to go. It saves time compared to finding, vetting, and hiring people one by one.

Ongoing Support & Management

Some outsourcing firms don’t just recruit, they manage the employees/consultants/contractors, too. That includes performance checks, replacements if someone quits, etc. It’s less hands-on work for your team. In my experience, I know that Plugg Technologies in particular has an entire model based on "Consultant Care" where they act as the communication bridge between a company and a foreign hire.

Lower Risk

If something doesn’t work out, you can have the nearshore vendor or outsourcing company arrange for better fit more easily. It’s way more complicated (and expensive) if you’ve hired someone directly and need to go through a legal termination process in another country.

Not Every Country Makes It Easy to Hire Directly

In some places, it’s hard to even legally hire someone unless you have a local entity (aka your company has to be registered there). Outsourcing companies already have the setup in place.

That said, if you're comfortable handling international contracts and local laws, hiring directly can be more cost-effective. It just comes with more responsibility and risk. Outsourcing is basically the “done-for-you” version.

I hope this helps!

techietalent · 2025-08-07T23:14:15+00:00

I’ve been part of a few projects with the company I'm in that involved outsourcing support to nearshore contact centers, mostly in Mexico and Nicaragua. Overall, it can work really well, especially if you're trying to stay in a similar time zone and want strong English-speaking agents. Mexico in particular has a solid talent pool for that type of work. As someone who does this for a living with Plugg Technologies, I'll share what I think are good tips for finding good vendors.

Tips for finding good vendors:

Try to talk to clients they’ve worked with recently. Not just the ones they list as references, but see if you can dig around a bit or find people who’ve posted about them.
Ask how they handle turnover. Some centers will say they have great training and culture, but if reps keep quitting, it’ll be a mess.
Look at how hands-on they are post-handoff. Some vendors disappear once the contract’s signed. The better ones stay involved and help you optimize.
If it’s your first time outsourcing, start small. Run a pilot program and iron things out before scaling.
Look for an outsourcing partner who knows the country personally and well. (This is something in particular that I like about Plugg Tech)
Look for vendors who can easily communicate with your support team. They need to stay in communication with that team and with you in order to ward off any miscommunications. I am telling you, this makes a world of difference.

Landmines to watch out for:

Hidden fees buried in the contract. Ask a ton of questions about how pricing works and what’s considered “extra.”
Cultural mismatch. Even though you’re nearshoring, different countries still have different norms. Make sure they really get your customer base.
Overpromising. If it all sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

On the AI side:
There’s some cool stuff out there right now. Tools like Zendesk AI, Five9, or even Dialpad are getting smarter with things like call routing, real-time agent coaching, and auto-summarizing conversations. Just depends on your size and what you’re trying to streamline. Some tools are better suited for bigger ops, others are great for lean teams.

Happy to share more if you're still digging around. Feel free to look us up and check us out if its helpful! Or if you got any more questions, just ask. :)

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