Hiring remote - What to look for into an ideal candidate - Emptor

Remote hiring is here to stay. After two long post-COVID years, the Great Resignation, and the return to the office, companies need to reinvent themselves to adapt and become more resilient and competitive in 2022.

When hiring a remote workforce, there are several considerations to attract and retain top talent. Here are some best practices to look for when hiring remote collaborators:

Soft Skills

Self-Motivation

Self-motivation is a must. The ability to get things done is one of the most important assets when it comes to achieving objectives and pursuing significant milestones. Self-motivation and laser focus are crucial skills for hitting targets, objectives, and goals.

Without the structure of a cubicle and a manager reviewing daily to-do lists, you need to have complete trust in who you are hiring. During interviews, ask potential candidates about their performance and self-motivation in previous positions. It’s essential for them to be able to execute tasks independently.

Communication Skills

For every position in the company, communication skills are vitally important. Pay special attention to these categories:

Listening: Active listening requires paying close attention and ensuring understanding through clarifying questions to keep the conversation on track.
Non-Verbal Communication: Body language, hand gestures, and eye contact demonstrate focus in conversation. Non-verbal cues convey how a person feels during discussions.
Clarity and Concision: The ability to express points clearly and directly in all formats—in person and via email—is crucial.
Confidence: Confidence in interactions is important. A firm but friendly tone shows that you are engaged.
Empathy and Respect: Respect different points of view and actively listen to others. Conveying respect for people’s ideas builds their confidence, simply by establishing eye contact, using their name, and actively listening.

Hard Skills

Solid Tech Stack and Technology Savvy

When a collaborator works remotely or belongs to a remote-first company, the first thing to consider is:

Reliable internet connection
Modern laptop with good performance

When remote workers are not at a central office, assess how they will cope with internet stability and performance to deliver the best results.

Reliable Judgment

Remote employees need to make decisions daily without a manager at hand. Ensure they possess good judgment, assess their initiative, and evaluate decision-making in previous circumstances.

Building Trust in Remote Hiring

To succeed in hiring and retaining a talented pool of collaborators, building a strong bond of trust with your team is essential.

Cultivating a Strong Culture

There exists a direct correlation between commitment and results dictating how a collaborator delivers great work. An open and secure culture ensures every team member feels safe and heard, which increases engagement and translates into better results, lower turnover rates, and retention of top talent.

Employee Wellness

As COVID-19 hit and confinement occurred in 2020, 2021 was marked by the “Big Resignation.” Employees worldwide faced burnout and recognized wellness as a key part of their compensation packages. Top performers seek such perks to ensure strong commitment to a company. A company that takes care of its employees and their families is a significant asset.

Ensuring Employee Retention

To attract and retain top talent, implement an employee retention plan that considers these important categories:

Provide training
Active listening
A clear growth plan within the company
Performance bonuses
Integral wellness programs for colleagues and their families

Background Screening and Identity Validation

As part of the remote hiring process, it is essential to implement a strategy for reviewing and validating the identities of potential collaborators. All new hires should undergo a background check before any official hiring to protect the company. Proper due diligence is crucial, and services like Emptor can provide fast and reliable background checks, ensuring you hire the correct candidates for open positions.