5 Remote Recruiting Tips for Leaders

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

Rewind three years, and the world was very different than it is today. Remote work was definitely a major trend, but it wasn't the norm. Fast forward to 2022, and remote working has become an expectation in many industries, especially among employees. Fueled by necessity by pandemic-related lockdowns, remote work is going nowhere. And the earlier employers adopt it, the more likely they are to win the war for talent.

If you're new to the idea of ​​hiring remote employees, now is your chance to step up or fall behind. Five years from now, some industries may be entirely isolated. And if you continue to take the same approach to hiring an office worker, you are making a big mistake.

Related: Hiring Remote Workers? Here's what to consider first.

While it's true that people are people, whether you hire them to work in the office next to yours or 2,000 miles away in a distant position, you should be aware your approach to hiring. Here are several tips and frameworks to consider:

1. Redefine your process over time

You can't just use the same existing recruiting process. It's not as simple as transposing your standard approach to the remote world and assuming it will hold.

"My biggest piece of advice would be to create a whole new remote recruiting process rather than trying to turn traditional recruiting practices into a new form," says business owner Stephen Light, who has hired dozens of people for remote positions. "Changes like these are stressful, and it can be tempting to continue using what has always worked for in-person interviews, but remote recruiting is a whole new beast that requires a fresh approach."

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Even after reinventing your recruiting process, you will need to continually adapt and evolve. It is something that happens gradually over time. Constant and endless improvement is the name of the game.

2. Know what you are looking for

As with any job search, you need to start with a very specific and detailed profile of the type of person you need for the job. While many qualities remain the same, you will also need to consider some remote position-specific qualities.

For example, we always say we are looking for "independent and self-sufficient" people, but this is especially important in a remote situation. You don't have the luxury of keeping an eye on them or going to the office to make sure all is well during the day. Telecommuters must be motivated.

It's also a good idea to look for candidates who have worked remotely before. A lot of people think they want to work remotely, but don't get good results doing so. By hiring someone who has had success in a similar setup before, you can be sure they know what they're getting into.

Good remote workers are also creative and tech-savvy. It goes without saying, but you need people who can understand and intuitively understand how modern software and applications work. They shouldn't need a reminder about using Docs or how to connect to a wireless network.

Related: A Step-by-Step Guide to All Your Business Remote Recruiting Needs

3. Return the correct stones

The next step is to look in the right places. Yes, you can still post a job online and wait for applicants to arrive. However, it may be worth adopting a more orientation-based approach. Let your colleagues know exactly who you are looking for. You can also use it to assess potential candidates and see if they are interested.

4. Create an amazing interview experience

Candidates aren't the only ones looking to impress in a...