Hiring a remote worker sounds easy, right? Just post an ad, wait for the applications to come rolling in, and then pick the best candidate.
But if you've ever actually tried to hire a remote worker, you know that it's not quite that simple. There are a few things you need to consider before you can find the perfect candidate for the job, and the onboarding and training process can be more problematic when it's not face-to-face.
Hiring a remote worker takes organisation, strong communication, and robust processes. Let's dive deeper into each of these three areas so you can be sure you're setting yourself up for success.
Organisation
When you're hiring a remote worker, you need to be extra organised. You can't just post a job ad and hope for the best - you need to have a plan.
For one thing, if you're advertising on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, you need to have a system in place to ensure that you don't miss any responses. It's all too easy for a message to get lost in the shuffle, so make sure you have a way to keep track of everything.
You also need to have a good idea of what you're looking for in a candidate. What skills and experience are absolutely essential? What would be nice to have, but isn't a deal-breaker? What kind of personality do you think would fit in well with your team?
Robust Processes
It's essential to have robust processes in place when you're hiring a remote worker. After all, if you're not meeting face-to-face, it can be all too easy for things to fall through the cracks.
The first step is to create a detailed job description. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important to be as specific as possible. Include not only the duties of the role but also the desired skills and experience.
Then, once you've whittled down your applications to a shortlist, it's time to conduct phone or video interviews. You need a slick process to keep track of and follow up with all the applicants to ensure that you don’t miss out on any great candidates.
The onboarding process is also crucial. You need to make sure that the new employee has all the information they need to do their job, and that you have SOPs in place to support them and ensure that the experience is smooth and hassle-free.
Strong Communication
Last but not least, you need to have strong communication when you're hiring a remote worker. After all, if you're not able to communicate effectively, it's going to be very difficult to manage a team that's spread out all over the world.
There are a few things you can do to set yourself up for success. First, be clear and concise in your job descriptions and communications with candidates. Second, make sure you're using the right tools to stay in touch with your team - video conferencing software such as Zoom or Skype can be a lifesaver.
It's important to be consistent about checking in, and about which channels you use to do so. Otherwise, messages can easily be missed. Set clear expectations for how you want your team to communicate with you, and then lead by example.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a remote worker can be a challenge, but it's definitely doable with the right approach. By being organised, having robust processes in place, and maintaining strong communication, you'll be well on your way to success.
