Criselle Julian
Project Manager, PropulseVA
Criselle Julian is Project Manager at PropulseVA. Criselle manages client onboarding, project execution timelines, and virtual assistant performance support. Leveraging deep expertise in AI tools and agile project management, she ensures seamless daily operations between clients and their dedicated PropulseVA virtual assistants.
- Project Manager at PropulseVA
- Specialist in Client Onboarding & Project Execution
- Expert in Agile Workflow Tracking & AI Productivity
Where to hire a virtual assistant depends on how much of the hiring process you want to own. A direct-hire board like OnlineJobs.ph gives you the broadest Filipino talent pool and full control — but you vet, onboard, and manage alone. A freelancer marketplace offers flexibility for project work. A managed VA provider handles sourcing, vetting, and replacement for a higher fee. A premium EA service supplies vetted senior executive assistants. The right choice is not about the platform — it is about how much hiring responsibility you want to shoulder.
Quick Decision Summary
Match the channel to your management capacity. If you have SOPs, screening time, and a manager, direct hire is most economical. If you lack any of those, a managed provider reduces risk. For one-off projects, a freelancer marketplace fits.
Want maximum control:Direct-hire board (OnlineJobs.ph) — you own vetting, pay, and management; no salary markup.
Want least burden:Managed VA provider — sourcing, vetting, onboarding, and replacement handled for a higher fee.
Your Hiring Channel Options
1. Direct-Hire Platforms
Example: OnlineJobs.ph — the largest Filipino talent marketplace with millions of candidate profiles. You pay a small subscription ($69 Pro or $99 Premium) to post and contact candidates, negotiate salary directly with no markup, and manage the worker yourself. See our OnlineJobs.ph employer guide and pricing breakdown.
Best for: experienced hirers with SOPs and management capacity. Trade-off: high screening volume, no replacement guarantee.
2. Freelance Marketplaces
Examples: Upwork, Fiverr. Broad global talent, hourly or fixed-price projects, platform-managed payments and reviews.
Best for: project-based work and short engagements. Trade-off: weaker for dedicated long-term roles; quality varies widely.
3. Recruiting & Placement Services
A recruiter or placement service sources candidates for a one-time fee. You still manage the worker after placement. Some charge a percentage of first-year salary; others a flat placement fee.
Best for: businesses that want help finding talent but still want to manage directly. Trade-off: one-time fee, no ongoing management support.
4. Managed VA Providers
A managed provider — like PropulseVA's Filipino virtual assistant service — sources, vets, matches, onboards, and may support payroll, management, and replacement. You pay a higher monthly fee but own less of the operational burden. See our managed vs direct hire comparison.
Best for: owners without screening time, specialist needs, or replacement continuity. Trade-off: higher monthly cost, less direct control.
5. Premium Executive Assistant Providers
Highly vetted senior EAs at the highest price point — best for executive coordination and senior stakeholder management. See our guide on executive assistant vs virtual assistant to decide if you need an EA or a VA.
6. Specialist Providers
For platform-specific work (e.g., GoHighLevel), a specialist provider matches vetted platform talent. See our GoHighLevel expert VA page and the GHL VA Philippines guide.
Comparison: Access, Vetting, Management
| Channel | Candidate Access | Vetting | Management | Replacement |
|---|
| Direct hire (OnlineJobs.ph) | Large Filipino pool | You | You | None |
| Freelance marketplace | Global | You | You | None |
| Placement service | Recruiter-sourced | Shared | You | Limited |
| Managed VA provider | Provider-sourced | Provider | Shared | Included |
| Premium EA service | Vetted senior EAs | Provider | Shared | Included |
The ACCESS → VETTING → MANAGEMENT Framework
You are not just choosing where candidates come from — you are choosing how much hiring responsibility you own. Each channel shifts the burden:
- ACCESS: Who sources the candidates? A direct board gives you the pool; a managed provider sources for you.
- VETTING: Who screens and tests? On a marketplace you do; with a managed provider they do.
- MANAGEMENT: Who onboards, manages, and replaces? Direct hire = you; managed provider = shared or handled.
More control usually means more employer responsibility. More support usually means higher cost. Neither is universally better. See our OnlineJobs.ph vs VA agency comparison and our OnlineJobs.ph alternatives for more. For cost context, read our VA pricing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best website to hire a VA?
It depends on your model. For direct Filipino hiring, OnlineJobs.ph is the largest. For managed support, a VA provider like PropulseVA handles sourcing and vetting. For project work, a freelance marketplace fits.
Should I hire locally or offshore?
Offshore (e.g., the Philippines) is usually more cost-effective with good English and US-hour overlap. Local hiring offers closer timezone and cultural familiarity at higher cost. See our offshore vs US VA cost comparison.
Is a managed VA provider worth it?
If you lack screening time, need a specialist, or want replacement continuity, yes. If you have SOPs and management capacity, direct hire is more economical.
Want Sourcing and Vetting Handled?
If you would rather not own the recruiting cycle, explore PropulseVA's Filipino virtual assistant service — a managed model that vets, matches, and supports a VA around a defined outcome.
