Frequently asked questions

A virtual assistant is a remote professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to businesses from a remote location. At ClearDesk, we call them remote team members because they become an integrated part of your operations. For growing businesses, a virtual assistant can manage tasks like email and calendar management, customer service, data entry, and bookkeeping. For specialized industries like home care, they can handle critical functions such as client intake, caregiver scheduling, and billing support, freeing you to focus on high-value activities that drive growth.

Yes, significantly. Partnering with a global staffing firm like ClearDesk to hire a virtual assistant allows you to access elite talent at a fraction of the cost of a traditional U.S.-based hire. The savings go beyond salary; you also eliminate expenses related to payroll taxes, benefits, insurance, office space, and equipment. This approach allows you to scale smarter and leaner, reallocating budget toward revenue-generating activities like marketing or expanding your services.

ClearDesk virtual assistants are located around the world, with the majority based in the Philippines, a leading global staffing hub known for its highly skilled, English-proficient workforce. Virtual assistants from the Philippines have strong cultural alignment with U.S. and Western business practices and are recognized for their professionalism, adaptability, and service-oriented mindset. Each virtual assistant is carefully vetted, trained, and matched to your business to ensure they understand your workflows, communication style, and expectations. Regardless of location, your virtual assistant integrates seamlessly into your operations and functions as a natural extension of your team.

ClearDesk offers a wide range of virtual assistant roles designed to support your business across administrative, sales, marketing, operations, and specialized functions. Our virtual assistants are carefully matched to your needs and trained to integrate seamlessly into your workflows. Expert Virtual Assistant Roles CAD Designer Graphic Designer SEO Specialist Specialized Virtual Assistant Roles Sales Development Representative (SDR) Marketing Coordinator Lead Generation Specialist Real Estate Virtual Assistant Executive Virtual Assistant Customer Service Coordinator Legal Virtual Assistant Bookkeeping Assistant E-commerce Virtual Assistant Scheduler Recruiter Project Coordinator Real Estate Marketing Assistant Human Resources Assistant Social Media Specialist Real Estate Assistant If you don’t see the exact virtual assistant role you’re looking for, no problem. ClearDesk specializes in building customized virtual assistant solutions and will work with you to find the right talent for your unique business needs.

Absolutely. The term 'virtual assistant' is broad, but the talent we provide is often highly specialized. In fact, scheduling and recruiting are two of the most popular and impactful roles we fill for our clients, especially in the home care industry. We source remote team members who have specific experience in these functions. A virtual assistant focused on scheduling can optimize your caregiver roster and prevent service gaps, while a recruiting assistant can manage your talent pipeline to ensure you always have qualified caregivers ready to deploy.

A virtual assistant can handle a wide range of tasks depending on their skills and your business needs. ClearDesk virtual assistants are trained to provide reliable, high-quality support across multiple functions, including: Administrative support (email management, data entry, document preparation) Scheduling and calendar management Customer service and inbox management Real estate assistance and transaction coordination Recruitment and candidate sourcing Social media management and content support Web applications and CRM management Each virtual assistant works closely with you to understand your processes and priorities, ensuring seamless communication and consistent results. In addition, ClearDesk’s management team provides ongoing oversight and support, handling escalations when needed so your virtual assistant operates as a true extension of your team.

Yes, you do. When you work with ClearDesk, you’re matched with a dedicated virtual assistant who is handpicked based on your business needs and preferences. You’ll work with the same virtual assistant consistently, allowing them to learn your workflows, systems, and expectations over time. Your virtual assistant is fully dedicated to your tasks during their scheduled hours, becoming a reliable extension of your team and delivering greater efficiency and long-term value.

Our goal is a long-term, successful partnership. While we have a high success rate due to our rigorous matching process, we understand that not every placement is a perfect fit. If you find that the remote team member is not meeting your expectations, we will work with you to understand the issues and provide additional coaching. If a solution cannot be reached, we will stand by our commitment and work to find you a replacement candidate who is a better match for your needs, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.

We understand that quality is non-negotiable. At ClearDesk, we have a rigorous, multi-step vetting process designed to identify top-tier global talent. We screen candidates not only for specific skills and experience but also for professionalism, communication abilities, and problem-solving skills. Our mission is to find 'The Right Talent to Scale Smarter,' which means we focus on matching you with a reliable remote team member who is a strong fit for your company's needs and culture, ensuring they can deliver high-quality results from day one.

ClearDesk facilitates a smooth onboarding process to set you and your new remote team member up for success. We handle the initial HR and administrative setup. You are then responsible for training your virtual assistant on your specific business processes, software, and workflows, just as you would with any new hire. Our candidates are selected for their agility and ability to learn quickly. We provide guidance and best practices to help you create a clear training plan, ensuring your virtual assistant can start adding value as efficiently as possible.

Our remote team members typically work standard business hours, Monday through Friday, aligned with your preferred time zone. If your project requires weekend or evening hours, we can coordinate with them to accommodate your schedule.

ClearDesk recommends observing major U.S. holidays for your virtual assistant, as they are a direct extension of your team. To maximize productivity during regular work hours, major holidays are often a good opportunity to allow your virtual assistant time to rest, recharge, and spend time with family and friends. Their well-being, health, and happiness are important to us and contribute to long-term performance and retention. Commonly Observed U.S. Holidays (Recommended): New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Presidents’ Day Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Day Before Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day Day After Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day

No, we do not charge a setup fee. Your monthly fee is the only cost!

Your satisfaction is our priority and if you decide to discontinue our services, simply let us know. To terminate service, we require a written request minimum of 5 business days before the beginning of the next service period. For further details, please refer to our Terms & Conditions in the footer.

If you exceed your plan’s allotted hours, additional hours will be billed at your standard hourly rate.

As a monthly membership service, our remote team members are scheduled to be available to you during the hours contracted. Unused hours do not roll over, as this structure ensures your team member is ready to support you each month. If you have any questions or need adjustments, we’re always happy to assist!