By: Justine Shu,
Marketing Manager @ WWR
When it comes to remote work, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each company must navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that come with a distributed workforce. As I delved into the research and spoke with remote companies, I realized the value of sharing resources with the remote community.
While nobody has all the answers, there are valuable insights to be gained from collective experiences. Employers should take these insights, combine them with their own values, and create a remote work strategy that works best for their organization.
Here’s what I learned from writing this comprehensive guide.
A quick search for remote work-related topics on Twitter reveals a growing interest in remote-friendly opportunities. More companies now believe that remote work is possible for positions beyond programming. However, before diving into remote hiring, it is important to consider a few key factors.
In my conversations with remote companies, three topics consistently came up:
Filtering/weeding out applicants
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Greenhouse Software, Workable, and Lever to streamline their hiring process. However, these systems are not always perfect. Remote companies can benefit from HR technology specifically designed for remote hiring.
Interviewing and onboarding
Remote companies often struggle to establish best practices for interviewing and onboarding. It is important to remain adaptable and document processes to facilitate continuous learning and improvement.
Incorporating DE & I into your hiring process and policy
While remote work environments have the potential for greater diversity, equity, and inclusivity, it is not automatically guaranteed. Hiring managers and recruiters must make a deliberate effort to incorporate these values into their policies and practices.
As someone who initially underestimated the challenges of remote work, I now recognize the value of remote-specific training. Reading articles and books can only take you so far. Investing in professional training can help companies and employees navigate the unique aspects of remote work more effectively.
I am pleased to see more companies recognizing the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in remote candidates. In a remote environment, these qualities are essential for effective communication and collaboration.
It is not surprising that many remote workers express dissatisfaction with their onboarding experiences. Developing a company culture and practices takes time and effort. It is a collaborative process that requires input from the entire team.
During the process of writing this guide, our team experienced the challenges of remote work firsthand. We each faced our own versions of loneliness. Recognizing this, our Head of Ops scheduled individual check-in meetings to create a safe space for us to share feedback. This simple act had a profound impact on our team dynamics and trust.
While researching for this guide, I noticed a lack of resources on practical topics such as paying remote employees and ensuring compliance across different countries. Although I couldn’t include these topics in the guide, we will be releasing an appendix in the new year featuring full quotes from the companies we interviewed.
For now, check out these valuable sources:
I hope our guide will serve as a valuable tool for companies looking to improve their remote hiring processes. By documenting and sharing our collective knowledge, we can overcome the challenges of remote work and create a thriving remote community.
3 Comments
Remote work has become increasingly popular, but hiring the right remote workers can be a challenge. In this blog post, our successful guide shares 10 essential tips for hiring remote workers, from setting clear expectations to assessing communication skills. Follow these tips to build a successful remote team.
This post provides valuable insights on hiring remote workers. As the workforce becomes more flexible, it’s essential to have tips like these in hand. The author’s experience and expertise shine through, making this a must-read for anyone considering hiring remote employees.
These 10 tips are spot-on! As a remote worker myself, I couldn’t agree more with the emphasis on clear communication and setting expectations. It’s crucial for both employers and employees to be on the same page to ensure a successful remote working environment. #communicationiskey