With the change in our hiring landscape, working with remote candidates is more important than ever. Yet, knowing how to deal with them effectively is valuable information. Learn more about working with remote candidates, and some of the best tips on hiring the best.
Video Interviews
With the absence of in-person candidates, video interviews are crucial. There are a few practices that ensure things go as planned.
- Ensure the candidate has the information needed to answer your questions
- Have a plan in case either of you lose connection
- Make sure you have an uninterrupted space to conduct your interview
- Start with small talk to set the tone and put your candidate at-ease
- Show up first so your candidate isn’t waiting
Take Your Time
You can’t always get to know someone with one interview. That is why it may be a good idea to elongate the hiring process. Working remotely is a situation where you don’t get to see this person on a daily basis. This makes it harder to get to know them, and how they work. It may be as simple as another interview, a longer interview, or just an extra step to get to know them better than just one video interview.
Let Team Members Help
Since your team members will be the ones collaborating on work, it is not a bad idea to allow them input in the hiring process. We get it, you are the one doing the hiring and it’s up to your discretion. But in some cases, it makes sense to get a feel for what your team wants. Because remember, if your team isn’t happy, the new candidate won’t be a good fit.
Plan Your Job Description
Remote work falls under a big umbrella, and it’s important to be precise in what you’re looking for. For instance, here are some of the key phrases – each with different meanings.
- Mixed remote
- Remote friendly
- Remote first
Make sure the candidates know exactly what the remote work entails. Let them know why the teams are remote, and why some may not be – if applicable. They should know the specifics such as if there is a set schedule, when they are required to work, and how casual or not the overall job is when it comes to remote work.
Find the Perfect Balance
Not all remote jobs are the same, so it’s important to find the perfect balance when describing your job offer. A better grasp of what you’re looking for means fewer candidates to wait through who aren’t qualified or interested.
About Synergy
Synergy Solutions is an executive and contract search firm focused on roles within the technology sector. If you have questions regarding this article or would like to discuss strategy on open roles at your company, please contact us and someone will get back to you within the next 24 hours.