Regardless of the speed at which AI technologies and other autonomous solutions are developing, businesses still need qualified individuals to help drive their operations. However, there has been a significant shift in the type of working structures many businesses now support.
Remote working environments have now become commonplace in many different industries. This has dramatically increased the competition for skilled, trustworthy individuals able to work offsite and with minimal supervision. Unfortunately, finding these types of employees isn’t always easy for businesses.
Thankfully, there are certain proven strategies that businesses can follow to improve their remote employee recruitment efforts.
Understanding the Needs of the Modern Workforce
Traditional hiring practices used to be much more straightforward. You would have a list of candidates to choose from, conduct in-person interviews, put together a standard hiring package, negotiate terms of employment, and make a selection.
However, today’s employment landscape isn’t so straightforward. Many different variables go into hiring employees locally or remotely, and younger generations of employees now have higher standards from the businesses they choose to work with.
Some of the key factors that influence today’s job candidates include:
Better Flexibility and Increased Autonomy
With hybrid and remote working models becoming increasingly common, most job seekers today are more selective in the type of working environment they choose. When evaluating potential employers, most employees focus on increased flexibility in their roles and a certain amount of autonomy.
In most cases, increased flexibility means having more control over working hours or the location where they work (home or in-office). Businesses that can afford this level of freedom will often attract a much wider range of candidates to choose from and gather much more interest in their job postings.
Balanced Working Lifestyle
For years, there has been growing awareness of the physical and emotional toll that harsh working conditions can have on individuals. High levels of stress not only impact employees directly but also lower the productivity and efficiency of the businesses that employ them. Because of this, many employees place a high amount of importance on working for an employer that allows them to have a more balanced working arrangement.
Employees want to make sure that they can establish clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives with their employers when working remotely. Organizations willing to acknowledge and support this will often stand out from other options.
Professional Growth and Skill Improvement
Regardless of where employees work, they want to ensure their employer makes them feel valued and appreciated. One way to accomplish this is by favoring employers who provide them opportunities to develop personally and professionally.
When prospective employees know they have a clear path to promotion or some form of advancement, they’re much more inclined to take a risk working for a business.
Necessary Elements for Improving the Remote Recruitment Experience
With more individuals choosing to focus on remote working positions, it’s essential for companies to build a strong reputation for supporting these types of working arrangements. To do this effectively, there are some key elements to follow that will improve the amount of candidates willing to apply:
- Developing a Stronger Brand Proposition – Creating a strong brand proposition is vital to attracting more talent to your business. To do this effectively, it’s important to identify and express what makes your company a great place to work and the unique things it offers that not many other businesses do.
- Showcasing Company Culture – Whether you have a few remote employees or operate as a fully remote company, it’s crucial to clearly communicate your approach to working with distributed teams. Clearly describe the structure of your remote work culture, including how you celebrate and reward each employee’s contributions, and the tools and technologies you use to ensure seamless communication and collaboration among other departments.
- Leverage Different Platforms for Wider Reach – To increase your chances of finding the best remote working candidates, it’s important to explore various channels. You should leverage social media, your company website, and different business review sites to help promote your brand and reach a wider talent pool.
Best Practices for Recruiting and Hiring Remote Talent
Being able to attract high-quality talent remotely requires a certain amount of effort on behalf of the company. However, by taking the time to implement some of the best practices below, you can find more skilled candidates and ensure you’re able to retain them long-term:
Developing Targeted Job Descriptions
Creating targeted remote job descriptions is crucial for HR teams. The first step to achieving this is clearly outlining the required skills, experience, and qualifications for the role. However, businesses shouldn’t limit the job descriptions to just employee requirements. This is also the perfect chance to highlight what sets your company apart and makes it a great place to work, especially for remote employees.
Think about ways to showcase the support systems you have in place to help remote employees be successful. Mention any opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the company, and be sure to communicate any expectations or provisions regarding equipment, home office setup, or other logistical elements.
Master the Art of Virtual Interviewing
While virtual interviews differ from traditional settings, they should be viewed as just as valuable. Equipping your team with various video conferencing tools can ensure a professional and engaging experience for candidates and hiring managers.
Be sure to create a broad range of interview questions that evaluate skills and experience, and a candidate’s comfort level when working in a remote environment. It’s important to find individuals who can function with minimal supervision and are the right cultural fit for the organization.
Creating a Remote Onboarding Program
An effective onboarding process is also essential for moving remote candidates through the final hiring stages. But getting to this point means more than just sending a welcome email to new hires and hoping for the best.
You should have a well-structured onboarding program that provides new hires with the information, resources, and support they need to succeed in their remote roles. For fully remote employees who can’t visit the office, this can include setting up virtual introductions with all relevant team members.
It is also a great idea to pair new hires with experienced employees who can be a continuous resource. These experienced team members can provide necessary initial company information, answer relevant questions, and help new hires better understand all the tools they have available to handle their assignments effectively.
Improving Collaboration Efforts Across Remote Teams
One of the most significant hurdles remote teams face is the potential for employees to feel isolated or “detached” from the company. While some individuals may love working in solitude, it’s critical that every team member feels like a valued contributor, regardless of their location.
Creating a strong sense of community within your remote workforce is a crucial step toward achieving better business outcomes. One effective way to do this is to organize virtual coffee breaks, where everyone has the opportunity to connect and chat with each other over video conference calls. Additionally, hosting regular social events, such as virtual lunches or game nights with rewards like gift cards, can also help encourage employees to build stronger bonds with their coworkers.
Improve Your Approach to Remote Hiring
To make your recruitment efforts a success when attracting and retaining quality remote working talent, you need to apply a strategic approach. By understanding the needs of modern job seekers, streamlining your hiring process, and looking for ways to highlight your company culture, you can establish high-performing teams that help you achieve long-term growth.
Author Name: Cindy Mielke
Author bio: Cindy is passionate about the incentive industry. In addition to her role as Vice President of Strategic Partners here at Tango, she is a Certified Professional of Incentive Management who proudly serves on two industry boards. When she’s not working, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family—including three cats, two dogs, and a horse—and sharing her love of nature as a Nebraska Master Naturalist.
