How to hire talent in South America (Remote)

Welcome! I'm Sergio from Allsikes, and today I’m excited to share insights and processes that can help you hire top-notch remote talent from Latin America. With over 30 years of combined experience in remote work across various fields, our team has the knowledge to guide you through this journey.

Why Choose Latin America for Remote Talent?

Cost-Effective

One of the primary advantages of hiring from Latin America is the cost-effectiveness. Salaries in Latin America are significantly lower than in Western and some Eastern European countries, making it an economical choice for hiring freelancers, gig workers, or contractors.

Time Zone Alignment

Latin America shares several time zones with the United States, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. Being based in Colombia, I can attest that our time zones align perfectly with both Central and Eastern Time in the US, making it easier to synchronize activities and maintain effective communication.

Cultural Proximity

Latin American countries share many cultural similarities with the United States. This cultural proximity facilitates smoother business interactions and aligns business practices, making it easier to integrate remote workers into your existing team.

Exploring the Talent Pool

Mexico

With 127 million inhabitants, Mexico offers a vast talent pool. Here are the key benefits of hiring from Mexico:

1. Skilled Workforce: Mexico has a high level of skill in commonly used tools like QuickBooks and GoHighLevel. It’s also a great place to find talent for roles in finance, logistics, and marketing.

2. Work Culture Similarities: Mexicans share a similar work culture to the United States, which makes integration smoother. They understand the business practices and expectations, and the geographical proximity also helps in potential travel and in-person meetings.

3. Economic Considerations: While recent economic changes have strengthened the Mexican Peso, making hiring slightly more expensive than before, it remains a competitive option due to the quality and availability of talent.

4. Major Cities for Talent: The hotspots for hiring include Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Mexico City offers a broad talent pool, Monterrey is known as the tech capital, and Guadalajara is a growing tech hub with a slightly lower cost of living.

Colombia

Colombia is a hub for customer service and logistics talent. Here are the benefits of hiring from Colombia:

1. Customer Service Excellence: Colombians are renowned for their skills in customer service. The country has the largest and most established BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry in Latin America, providing experienced candidates for client-facing roles.

2. Cost-Effective Salaries: The cost of living in Colombia is relatively low. Paying a VA (Virtual Assistant) around $800 can be quite competitive and attractive compared to local salaries.

3. Remote Work Culture: Colombians, especially younger generations, are accustomed to remote work. Many have experience working in BPOs, making them familiar with international business practices and expectations.

4. Major Cities for Talent: Bogotá and Medellín are the primary cities to look for talent. Bogotá is the capital and largest city, while Medellín is known for its innovation and tech-savvy workforce.

Argentina

Argentina is renowned for its high-quality English proficiency and specialized talent. Here are the benefits of hiring from Argentina:

1. High English Proficiency: Argentina has one of the highest levels of English proficiency in Latin America. This makes communication seamless and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.

2. Specialized Talent: The country produces a high number of graduates in fields like accounting, economics, and marketing. This makes it an excellent source for finding specialized talent in finance and marketing.

3. Economic Advantages: Due to inflation and a favorable exchange rate, hiring talent from Argentina can be very cost-effective. The US dollar goes a long way, making it possible to attract highly skilled professionals at competitive rates.

4. Major Cities for Talent: Buenos Aires is the main hub for finding talent. It’s a large city with a well-educated workforce and a vibrant business environment.

Brazil

Brazil is ideal for creative roles such as design and video editing. Here are the benefits of hiring from Brazil:

1. Creative Talent: Brazil has a rich pool of creative professionals. Whether you need graphic designers, video editors, or content creators, Brazil is home to some of the most talented individuals in these fields.

2. Large Talent Pool: With 215 million inhabitants, Brazil offers a diverse and extensive talent pool. This makes it easier to find the right fit for your specific needs.

3. Major Cities for Talent: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the primary cities for finding talent. São Paulo is a major economic hub, while Rio is known for its vibrant creative industry.

4. Specialized Skills: Brazil also has a significant number of professionals in IT and business services. However, clear communication of expectations is crucial due to cultural differences.

Venezuela

While Venezuela offers low salary expectations, it faces significant infrastructure challenges hence why we do not recommend you actively source talent based out of this country. Here are the benefits of hiring from Venezuela:

1. Low Salary Expectations: The economic situation in Venezuela means that salary expectations are lower compared to other countries. You can find qualified VAs willing to work full-time for competitive rates.

2. English Proficiency: There are still pockets of high English proficiency, especially in Caracas. Many Venezuelans seek remote work opportunities due to the economic conditions in their country.

3. Cultural Proximity: Despite the challenges, Venezuelans are culturally similar to other Latin Americans, making them adaptable to US business practices.

4. Challenges to Consider: Infrastructure issues are a significant concern. Power outages and internet disruptions are common, so having contingency plans is essential.

Hiring Process

1. Define Your Needs: Clearly outline the tasks and outcomes you expect from the position. Determine if you need a freelancer, contractor, or full-time employee.

2. Job Posting: Create a detailed job posting. Use platforms like LinkedIn to reach a broad audience and attract qualified candidates.

3. Screening Candidates: Conduct initial screenings via quick calls to assess English proficiency and communication skills.

4. Ethical Test: Implement an ethical test by assigning a paid task to see how candidates respond and ensure reliability.

5. Technical Test: Assign a technical task relevant to the position to evaluate their skills.

6. Interview: Conduct a face-to-face interview to understand their motivations and ensure a cultural fit.

7. Negotiation and Onboarding: Finalize the hiring by negotiating terms and onboarding the new hire into your team.

Hiring remote talent from Latin America offers numerous advantages, from cost savings to cultural alignment and time zone convenience. At Allsikes, we are deeply rooted in this region, giving us an intrinsic understanding of where to find the best talent based on your specific needs.

Our diverse team comes from various parts of Latin America, bringing with us extensive experience across multiple industries. We know firsthand the unique strengths and potential of the Latin American workforce because we’ve lived and worked here ourselves. This regional expertise allows us to pinpoint the best candidates who can seamlessly integrate into your team.

As seasoned remote workers, we understand the nuances of remote work dynamics. We’ve developed an eye for identifying potential rockstars who can thrive in a remote environment. Our experience enables us to recognize the traits and skills that make an exceptional remote worker, ensuring that you get not only the talent you need but also individuals who can excel and contribute to your company’s success.

At Allsikes, our mission is to connect great minds and help them grow. Whether you need a customer service representative, a tech expert, a creative professional, or any other role, we know where to look and how to find the perfect match for your team. Let us simplify the hiring process and provide you with top-tier talent that will elevate your business.

If you’re ready to build your dream team and leverage the exceptional talent available in Latin America, get a free assessment call at allsikes.com/meet. Together, we can create a tailored strategy to meet your hiring needs and ensure your business thrives in the remote work landscape.