I need you to have a fairly reliable Internet connection with enough speed for us to have a decent video chat now and then to go over your goals, projects, and results. Maybe you want to use your phone for that, or maybe a computer. I don't care. I just want to be able to see and speak with you without the connection cutting out or either of us sounding like robots inside a tin can. Communication is really important so that we can both be on the same page with expectations! But also, we need to built a relationship and enjoy each other's company. If we get frustrated during meetings, that will lead to annoyance and a desire to work somewhere else or with someone else.

I need you to have the hardware required to do the job. This is not a personal preference - this is a legal requirement. If I buy you equipment then you are an employee and I have to set up a business entity in the Philippines, get through a ton of government red tape, file annual reports and taxes, etc. The cost to hire you has suddenly gone way up and I will probably need to pay an attorney and/or tax person in the Philippines to help me do everything right. If I take advantage of the tax treaty that the US has with the Philippines then I don't have to withhold taxes from your pay, I only have to file my local annual reports, and I only have to pay US taxes. For that to happen you must be an independent contractor. The rules in both countries stipulate that independent contractors own their own equipment and don't require any additional hardware from the hiring company. The things I need you to have include: a place to sit or stand and do your work because I don't have an office space in the Philippines, a computer to do your work (that can even be a Chromebook for most jobs), and maybe a decent headset or ear buds for calls to help reduce background noise.

I need you to be a quick study of the systems that I will provide for you to do the work. I need to protect my company's data and resources, so I will provide you with login information to the software that I want you to use on the job. I want everything in the cloud and backed-up. For my companies we use all Google Workspace products, storage, etc. That is why you can use any type of computer. You are only going to need the Chrome browser on your computer. You will access your email, files, and applications virtually. If I have additional concerns, I may require that you have anti-virus/etc. software on your computer, but if I need you to login via a VPN, I will provide it. These are all costs of doing business. These are my expenses, not yours. These platforms and subscriptions belong to me/my company. You will need them to do the work, not your own software programs. The only exceptions may be software that is specific to the type of work you are doing. For example, you might have your own, preferred digital art platform (e.g. Krita) that you use to create digital images or assets. I don't care what software you use as long as you put the final images/assets in one of the company's shared folders so that we can use it.

I hope that helps you understand what you need for a VA or other remote job!

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