Should I Hire Remote Tech Pros?
Posted April 4th, 2019
The IT labor market has been tight for years and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future. As a result, more companies are examining options that allow them to hire remote workers, giving them a chance to access a deeper talent pool and hire candidates with in-demand skills, even if they live in another part of the state or country.
IT jobs are often particularly well-suited to telecommuting, mainly because critical systems can be accessed remotely and tech pros are comfortable with technology. However, hiring a remote tech pro does require a different approach in comparison to traditional in-office positions. If you want to hire a remote IT professional, here are some tips that can help you manage the process successfully.
Interviewing
When you are interviewing for a remote position, finding alternatives to an in-person meeting is wise. Flying candidates in for an interview can be incredibly costly, so this approach usually needs to be avoided, at least until the final stage of the selection process.
Luckily, there are plenty of options that can allow you to interact with the candidate remotely. Video calls are ideal for interviews, as they will enable you to see the candidate while you speak with them. Phone interviews can also work, though it may be better for initial screening than an in-depth conversation.
Skill Assessment
Remote employees need skills beyond what may be necessary for those working on site. Along with general technical prowess, they also need to be incredibly self-motivated, accountable, and highly organized, as there won’t be a manager looking over the shoulder each day.
When interviewing candidates, find out if the job seekers have worked remotely before. If so, ask questions to gauge their level of success and ask for a reference that can attest to their capabilities in that role.
For those who don’t have prior remote work experience, you need to determine the candidate’s level of discipline. Focus on a particular project they completed recently and ask questions that help you figure out their capabilities, like how many days or hours it took to execute, what was their core source of motivation, and how they kept their manager apprised of the progress.
Assessing the candidate’s communication skills is also critical. Since you won’t be working in the same office, you need to find a job seeker who can communicate well verbally and in writing, ensuring they can remain connected regardless of whether it is by phone, email, text, or messaging program.
Since you can gauge their verbal skills during the interview, recheck the candidate’s resume and cover letter to assess their writing. You can also send job-related questions in a follow-up email, giving you a chance to see how they respond about something associated with the role itself.
Add Talented Employees to Your Team by Partnering with Bayside Solutions
By following the tips above, you can adjust your hiring process to make sure you find the ideal person for your remote tech position. If you’d like to know more, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our candidate selection expertise can benefit you.
