There is a new normal for the way we work and the way we run businesses, and that extends to even how people are getting hired. Despite the current situation, some companies are continuing to hire, and very soon many others are expected to ramp up hiring as the world emerges from the current crisis.
But the way businesses hire is bound to change thanks to solutions that facilitate remote hiring and remote work. With companies being able to interview candidates, just as seamlessly in a remote context, remote work will soon be the new normal.
Why should you invest in building a remote team?
Apart from ensuring business continuity in times of emergencies, remote teams can bring in talent which was not possible earlier due to constraints of a physical location. This also helps boost diversity in your organization and helps you build an inclusive team.
A frequent question we get is about the inconvenience caused due to working in different time zones. Actually, this can be an enabler. For organizations looking to set a bar for customer support, embracing time zones can help them achieve it with ease. You can speed your response by manifolds if your employees are spread across multiple time zones.
How to hire a remote team?
Remote recruiting might be new to a lot of businesses but with the right processes and tools, it can be very easy –
Create a detailed job posting with an accurate and searchable job title. Apart from the tech skills required from a candidate, also emphasize the characteristics and soft skills you would want in them. It is also wise to include a remote work questionnaire to gauge if the candidate is fit for a remote-friendly job
Ask for references from existing employees. If you’ve been doing this frequently, continue doing it for remote roles too. Specify clearly that you’re looking for people who can work independently and take initiative
Test competency for possible hires. Since a remote role can attract a lot of applications, you must filter them without any bias. Take-home coding tests and remote interviews can help you screen candidates for further roles. We’ve seen instances where jobs have been offered right after a couple of remote interviews without any face to face interaction. You can invest in an assessment platform and a remote interview tool to facilitate this.
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How to onboard a remote team?
Once you’ve hired an employee remotely, accommodate a remote onboarding process to allow employees to get a sense of the remote work dynamic. Communication is key. In fact, try to over-communicate to clearly gauge if the employee is happy in his remote role.
Pay attention to feedback and understand their strengths and weaknesses. It would also be great to have them work on a trial project and then give your feedback. This will be a win-win for both the organization and the employee.
10 tips for embracing a remote culture
Now that you’ve hired your remote team, it is time you shift your focus to managing it effectively. Here are ten tips that can help –
Understand how remote teams operate – Before you start managing a remote team, it is important to understand how the team can operate. Working on a clear vision, having the right team leaders, sharing teamwork, and supporting a sense of community are important points to keep in mind. Just like traditional teams, virtual teams should be expected to attend meetings on time, fulfill their assigned deliverables and contribute to the growth of the organization
Take time while hiring – Since there is no face to face interaction happening, remote candidates should portray qualities that include initiative, independence, and self-discipline apart from their regular skillset
Invest in the right technology – Finding talent from the comfort of your home is an excellent idea but without the right tools, it is almost impossible. Opt for tools that facilitate remote hiring like take-home coding tests and virtual interviews. Also, applications that use Artificial Intelligence or data-driven insights help you save time as well as hire right
Explain your vision well – While technology can enable your recruitment process, adding the human touch to the process is always needed. It is essential to make your candidates look forward to the job they are taking up as they can’t see you every day in real-time working passionately for the organizational goal.
Set clear but reasonable expectations – When setting expectations for employees, it is crucial to realize that the idea of doing something “quickly” or “well” differs from person to person. Be it in terms of defining working hours or assigning project deliverables, it is very important to ensure that your employees and you have the necessary clarity on their responsibilities toward their teams.
Build a sense of community in your team – Your remote teammates can feel left out at times because of the absence of day-to-day interactions. Appreciation goes a long way in ensuring employee loyalty, particularly for people working remotely. You don’t even need to work on elaborate appreciation schemes; a simple mail with a thank you note or a small goodie can also be a great morale booster.
Focus on transparency – Be transparent about the company goals, vision, and objectives. Get remote employees involved. Also, when you’re hiring for a remote team, be extremely transparent about what it’s like and what expectations you have.
Conduct regular meetings – Meetings are opportunities for employees to exchange ideas and discuss objectives. Conducting regular meetings will help you learn about the people you have on the team. The idea is to meet (virtually) at least once a week and focus on creating a friendly, honest environment.
Build a Learning and Development culture – Opt for e-learning tools that ensure that all employees, irrespective of the location, have a personalized learning program. Through e-learning, organizations can ensure that every employee accesses the same kind of learning program and content.
Have face-to-face interactions occasionally – Work on your organization’s travel policies and ensure that your team is meeting each other once in a while. This helps them stay connected to the culture and enforces team spirit.
Remote work is a reality and the sooner businesses adapt to it, the better it will be. Accommodating such a workforce will need a reworking of employee policies, talent management technology, and a lot more.
It is possible to attain a strong, cohesive team that participates effectively and collaborates in all aspects of the company, even if a portion or all of the workforce is located offsite. This might sound like a lot of work but will be worth it in the long run. You’ll see it!
Courtesy: India Today
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