Hiring Remote Workers: What to Look Out For

28 Aug Hiring Remote Workers: What to Look Out For

Attitudes towards working from home are changing. Chris Adcock, Managing director of Reed Technology, recently told the BBC that people are “twice as likely to apply for a job if it’s advertised as remote”. However, to reap the benefits of hiring remote workers, and to meet new challenges, some employers will need to adapt their hiring processes. 

4 Tips for hiring remote workers 

1. Look for the right skills

Before starting, it’s a good idea to have a clear list of skills and experiences that you expect from candidates. Hiring remote workers may influence the skills you’re looking for, but equally, it might change very little. 

For example, how tech-savvy does somebody really need to be to navigate remote work? In some jobs, they’ll need a good understanding of complex systems. In others, a willingness to learn a new platform like Teams, Zoom, Slack, or similar will be enough. 

Meanwhile, good communication is key when you don’t have regular face-to-face contact, as is the ability to speak up when an employee isn’t sure.

2. Make expectations clear 

Remote working isn’t the same everywhere. In 2020, 46.4% of people working in London said they worked at home at some point. This will have looked different for many people. 

So, rather than throwing the word remote into a job description, it’s a good idea to be clear from the start. Is the role fully remote or hybrid? Is remote working optional or mandatory? This helps potential employees decide if the role will work for them, saving the employer time. 

3. Consider group hiring 

Forbes recommends hiring remote workers in groups or pairs, and with good reason. They point out that group hiring can make the onboarding process more efficient and provide opportunities for cross-training between employees. But, there are potential benefits for the employee too. 

Being the only new starter in a remote company, or the only new remote starter in a hybrid team, can feel daunting. With others in the same position, employees might feel more like part of the team and management should be able to dedicate more time to onboarding. 

4. Carefully plan video interviews 

Where possible consider video interviews over phone calls. It might not quite be the same as an in-person meeting, but you’ll still be able to gauge how the person fits into your team. 

With the best will in the world, video calls don’t always go as planned. From tech failures to speaking delays, it’s easy to get thrown off balance. To help, LinkedIn suggests five tips for video interviews when hiring remote workers: 

1. 1. 1. Set clear tech expectations up front. 
      2. Create and share a backup plan in case of tech failure. 
      3. Practice active listening. 
      4. Choose your location carefully. 
      5. Be friendly, considerate, and emotive. 

How Remote Workers Fit Into Your Office 

Hiring remote workers doesn’t mean the end of your office. In fact, it can have a positive effect. By choosing a flexible office that can scale up and down with you, you’re not limited by size restrictions. What’s more, with meeting room hire options for crucial, in-person meetings, and virtual office services to handle mail, you can choose how your office looks and operates. 

To find out more about serviced office suites, meeting rooms, and virtual office packages, have a look at our service pages. 

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