Remote employment is on the rise, showing no signs of slowing down—this is why many organizations consider hiring remote employees to keep up with the future of business.
Hiring remote employees has become a massive trend in recent years, mainly because more and more organizations and individual employees see the benefit of working remotely. However, hiring workers who are located far away can present unique challenges.
There are many things to consider, and it is easy to get caught up in the details of how you want your business to operate. This blog post highlights a few key things that matter most when hiring a remote employee and the benefits of a remote transition to your company.
To help you navigate this process so that you end up with productive employees who can work remotely, here is a handy guide on what you need to know before publishing a job advertisement and sending out a job offer.
Why should we hire remote employees?
If your company is looking for ways to be more competitive, hiring remote workers can help you save money and be more productive. It can bring out the best in your employees by giving them flexibility and allowing them in their own time.
The benefits of having employees who are happy with their jobs go well beyond just saving on office space—they are more satisfied, which means they will be more likely to stay with the company for extended periods.
Managing remote work also became more accessible with the rise of technology and project management tools where employees can work collaboratively and communicate efficiently through video calls, instant chat, and more. Allowing employees to work remotely also enables them to stay focused by personally managing their flexible work setting and promotes employee self-motivation.
Benefits of Hiring Remote Employees
Remote work is all the rage in this digital age, and for a good reason. It is much more convenient, flexible, and cost-effective than traditional office jobs.
Here are a few benefits of hiring remote employees for the growth of your business:
1. Access to great candidates from anywhere in the world.
When you hire remote employees, you are tapping into a talent pool that is much bigger than your local area and potentially even bigger than your country. It is a great way to expand your company’s reach, connect with potential customers worldwide, and ensure you match with the best talent for your job openings.
Sourcing candidates globally allows you to attract top global talent who can work effectively and optimize your team’s efficiency instead of simply considering local candidates. Fortunately, hiring remotely is now easier because there are a lot of platforms where you can find the best talent for the open position.
2. Cost-efficient.
Hiring remote employees can be a great way to save money for both employees and most business owners. The most obvious reason is that you do not need to pay for the typical expenses of an office setting which includes rent, utilities, and equipment. Remote workers can also save money on transportation costs which typically add up in the long run.
Transitioning to remote work also helps businesses increase profits through reduced overhead costs, increased employee productivity, and a lower employee turnover rate.
3. Better work/life balance.
The remote hiring trend significantly impacts the business world, not just because employees can work from home. Remote workers are more likely to have better work/life balance, leading to higher productivity.
Remote workers who can work from home also have more flexibility in scheduling meetings and other tasks that they should accomplish at certain times of the day. As a result, employees spend less time travelling and more time working on projects that interest them most.
A survey conducted by FlexJobs significantly showed how remote jobs helped improve mental health in the workplace. These findings showcase how remote settings can benefit remote workers’ mental health and contribute to the company’s overall productivity.
4. Promote better employee engagement.
Remote work settings promote better engagement despite the distance between members of remote teams. It gives employees more decision-making power and fosters a sense of ownership in their work, leading to greater satisfaction and productivity.
5. It is environmentally friendly.
Many organizations continuously take a step toward greener and more environmentally-friendly business practices. Remote work is an ideal option in this age of heightened environmental awareness than traditional office work because it can reduce energy consumption and waste.
One of the primary reasons remote work is more environmentally friendly is that it is more efficient than travelling long distances daily, lessening carbon emissions. It also reduces the resources required to build and maintain a physical office, such as water usage, electricity use, and air conditioning.
Where can we find remote workers?
Many companies still struggle to find remote workers despite the internet’s broad reach, but luckily there are platforms that employers can utilize to reach talents globally.
Here are a few platforms to check out when hiring remote employees:
1. Virtual Job Fairs
A virtual job fair is where companies hiring remote workers and applicants gather—it works much like face-to-face job fairs. It is where employers can find potential employees and eventually hire remote workers who will undergo the interview process.
Virtual job fairs offer an opportunity to showcase your company culture, benefits, and opportunities to candidates who might not otherwise have access to them. It also allows you to reach out directly to good candidates who may be looking for a new opportunity but are not ready to make the jump just yet.
2. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is among the largest professional social network for finding remote workers. This platform makes hiring remote employees easier, where employers can screen and assess the skills and experiences of a candidate through their profile.
LinkedIn has helped companies recruit remote employees by offering them access to their vast network of professionals, including those currently working remotely. This platform allows companies to find the right candidates quickly and efficiently while also giving them access to valuable information about these candidates’ skills, abilities, and personality traits.
3. Social Media Platforms
Hiring remotely became accessible for employers and job seekers alike with the rise of remote work communities on various social media platforms. They provide a way for employers to connect with potential hires through targeted ads, postings, and community-building.
Some websites have a dedicated job search feature, while others have communities dedicated to remote hiring and remote work discussions. These platforms allow employers to post, search, and publish openings to grow their remote teams.
4. Online Job Boards
Hiring remote workers is now easier because there are websites that serve as an online marketplace dedicated to finding and hiring remote employees.
Employers can publish openings for remote jobs where remote workers can apply and submit their resumes for screening. Remote hiring also became more accessible with the help of keyword searches on these websites, where employers can look for candidates through job titles.
These online job boards include:
- Fiverr
- Google for Jobs
- Indeed
- Upwork
- Glassdoor
- and more…
5. Agencies
If you need assistance in remote hiring, there are outsourcing agencies that you can hire to find an effective remote worker. These agencies have access to some of the best talents in the world because they often recruit from large pools of candidates the agency reviews before being considered for placement with clients.
Outsourcing companies make it easier to hire remote workers because they do the work of assessing highly qualified individuals who have been screened for their skills and abilities, as well as their cultural fit for your organization.
How to Recruit
Finding the perfect remote worker is hard—there are so many options, and it can be overwhelming to wade through them all in search of the right fit.
In this blog post, we included the critical steps when recruiting remote employees:
1. Know what skills you need.
When you are looking to hire remote employees, it is critical to know what skills are needed for the job. You should list the required skills on the job description to attract potential job candidates who are on the same page with the responsibilities of the open positions.
Ensure that the job seekers have experience in roles similar (or related) to yours to contribute effectively once hired.
2. Identify who you want to hire.
When searching for remote workers, it is essential to know if the job responsibilities you require fit as freelance work, full-time work, or contractor.
Freelancers are best for short-term projects and help with specific tasks. They are independent workers with specialized skills that can contribute to your company.
Full-time employees are great if you have a project needing constant attention or are looking to expand your business and add more employees to your remote team to do administrative tasks.
Contractors are similar to freelancers but are sourced from agencies that provide niche expert services and can work on a one-off project.
Knowing the differences between these remote workers allows employers to assess which kind of applicant can do the required tasks efficiently. It also helps in avoiding the pitfalls of committing to full-time employees for a project that can be easily done by freelancers or contractors.
3. Create attractive job postings.
Make sure to create a job posting that stands out from the rest. It is a must to include details about the company culture, but do not be too vague or generic.
There are several job boards to publish job opening in your company. LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google are among the most popular online job boards where you can source remote candidates.
A job advertisement is an overlooked step in reaching potential candidates and attracting the right people. Using job advertisements as part of your strategy opens opportunities for international hiring in the global talent pool.
4. Screening of potential candidates.
Before proceeding with the interview process, screening potential employees is an essential step in the hiring process for remote workers. Assessing an applicant’s resume and portfolio is crucial to ensure the job seeker is a good fit.
Many employers may be tempted to skip the screening process and jump right into interviews, but doing so could lead to wasted time. You might end up interviewing people who do not have the needed skills or hiring a remote worker who can not remain compliant with the company values if you did not check references.
It is essential to set up an applicant tracking system to oversee the applications of suitable candidates and list some interview questions for certain applicants.
5. Schedule virtual interviews.
After screening potential remote workers for your company, it is time to conduct video interviews.
Hopping in a video interview is a great way to get to know a remote candidate—it can help you see how an applicant interacts with your company and its culture and allow you to get a feel for their personality and communication skills.
Our interview process is composed of 2 parts. We assess candidates based on the company culture we are promoting and also the candidates’ ability to work independently, communicate effectively, and stay motivated while working from home. the second part is where we assess them based on their skills or experience.
Make sure to prepare interview questions to help you identify candidates that would be a good fit for the position. There are plenty of platforms where you can arrange a video call with job seekers, like Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and more.
6. Conduct a trial period.
The trial period is a great way to test the fit of a new hire. It’s also a way to test their skills, personality, and overall compatibility with your organization. You should set clear expectations at the start of your hiring process so you and your potential remote employee know what is expected during the trial period.
If possible, try to get an agreed-upon job description in writing before beginning the hiring process. The trial period will help keep everyone on track when it comes time for interviews and offers—and it will also mean there are no surprises when it comes down to negotiations about salary or benefits packages later on down the road!
Retain your Employees
As the business world grows and becomes more interconnected, it is becoming increasingly common for companies to transition from the traditional office space to remote-first culture. The prospect of a successful remote hire is the first step to this switch. Still, it is also essential to know that there are other key elements to maintaining a successful remote work set-up—one of which is to retain talented remote employees.
But what are the best ways you should take note of to keep employees engaged when working remotely? Here are the top things to remember for a thriving remote-first culture with skilled remote workers.
1. Make sure they feel appreciated.
Remote employees must know that they are valued members of your team. Take time to check in with them regularly through a video call or chats, provide insight and commend them for their fantastic work, and give them a chance to share their ideas with you and other team members.
When you hire remote workers, try to set up an in-person get-together every once in a while if possible. It can be a great way to foster relationships between coworkers who do not see each other daily.
Although remote working remotely saves businesses on employee costs, it is vital to provide proper compensation to your remote employee to keep them dedicated and passionate about the work they contribute to your company’s growth.
2. Make sure they clearly understand their roles and responsibilities.
If you want your remote employees to do their jobs well, ensure they understand what is expected of them and how their work contributes to the company. It is not just about ensuring they are doing what they are supposed to—it is also about making sure they know their positive impact on the company.
Unlike office employees, having a global team requires clear and constant communication between remote employees to perform their roles and responsibilities efficiently. It is crucial to assess the working styles of each employee since not everyone will be working in the same time zones.
3. Provide adequate growth and training opportunities.
When organizations provide adequate training and growth opportunities for remote employees, they communicate that these individuals are valued members.
Giving new hires access to training programs and growth opportunities cultivates a sense of support and professional development for every remote worker. High-quality training programs also help businesses to build an effective remote team that is productive and passionate about their job.
Hire Your Employees Now!
Remote workers can be a great way to expand your workforce and break free from the confines of physical offices. It also reduces stress because fewer logistical hassles are involved in managing an employee who lives far away from their workplace.
But hiring remote workers is not just about saving money but also about creating a healthy work environment for every employee and promoting productivity through flexible work schedules.
Many businesses are hesitant to work with a remote workforce because of some apparent cons, such as the inability to directly supervise team members and a general lack of face-to-face interaction. But the advantages of hiring remote employees for your company are countless.
Embrace the future of work and build an efficient workforce now.
