From saving your business money to accessing the best talent from anywhere in the world, hiring remote employees has many benefits. However, it also has its pitfalls like technical difficulties, lack of communication, and strained collaboration. So, how can you strike a balance and find the right remote employee for your business? To help you navigate the process, we have laid out 4 high-level factors you should consider when hiring a remote employee:
What Skills They Need
Typically, remote jobs on are the more technical side of the job spectrum, so it is likely that they will need a specific set of skills to complete all the duties of the position. Whether you are hiring content writers, graphic designers, web developers, or digital marketing experts, you will need to provide a clearly defined list of required skills.
In addition to proficiency in the job duties, there are certain qualities that set the best remote employees apart. You should look for someone who:
1. Is a self-starter
2. Has good time management skills
3. Is responsive
4. Has their own computer and high-speed Wi-Fi connection
5. Is tech-savvy
6. Is easy to collaborate with (and takes constructive criticism well)
7. Is willing to make adjustments to their schedule as needed (especially if they are in a different time zone)
When hiring remote employees, it is better to be diligent when reviewing candidates than having to start the entire process all over again when you figure out they are not a good match. Remember, in these cases, you will not usually have the opportunity to interview them in person which limits your ability to get the best read on the individual.
What Standards You Will Hold Them to
In virtually all businesses, there are a certain set of standards that employees are held to. Typically, expectations for on-site and off-site employees should be similar, at least in terms of quality of work. Obviously, there is not much you can do about how they conduct themselves in their private work environment so dress codes and other in-office rules might not be relevant to them. Before you hire a remote employee, be sure to make any expectations crystal clear so that you are on the same page.
One way to ensure that you are hiring a trustworthy remote employee is by using an online background check. This can provide you with the peace of mind that you have verified their identity, eligibility to work, and any red flags in their background.
The Time Commitment You Need from Them
Remote employees are often the go-to solution for one-off projects, however, they can also do on-going work. Before you begin your search, make sure you know (roughly) how much of a time commitment you are going to need from them. Is that a few hours a week or basically a full-time workload? They will most likely need to know before they even consider the position.
Keep in mind that many individuals choose to become remote workers because of the freedom that it provides. So, while you can place high demands on the workload you need from them, you will need to be more flexible when it comes to how they choose to schedule that work. As long as they are able to meet deadlines consistently, this should not be a problem. You could also speak to them about using a time-tracking and productivity app for transparency.
If you are having issues receiving work on time, or are experiencing serious schedule conflicts, you may need to find an in-house worker to fill the position.
How You Will Find Remote Employees
Not all hiring sites are created equal, and the same goes for those that specialize in remote work. While we are not saying that there are no good applicants to be found by placing a job ad on Craigslist, you will likely find a larger pool of qualified applicants on a site that is designed specifically for remote workers. You will also be able to get a lot more information about candidates through these sites as well as they typically have options to upload a portfolio, resume, and other information right on the platform. This can make evaluating candidates a much quicker process and help you find the perfect fit for your company’s needs.
You Can Find High-Quality Remote Workers
While you might be hesitant to hire remote workers because of the misconception that the gig is just side work for them, many freelancers take their jobs seriously and rely on them as a primary source of income. You just have to find them.
Whether you are in your first year of business and are just hiring your first few employees, or are a seasoned business owner with a rapidly expanding team, taking these factors into consideration during the hiring process can only benefit you.
