3 Tips from That’s Good HR
The rise of technology and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are making remote work more common than ever. As many of us adjusted to working from home in quarantine, a number of companies have made it a priority to implement more part- or full-time remote positions. And as we work remotely, so do we recruit and hire remotely. That’s Good HR has three tips for going through a remote hiring process, whether you’re on the employer or the job seeker side of things.
1. Prepare for remote hiring practices
One of the biggest parts of the hiring process is the interview. Virtual interviews can be nerve-wracking even for the most experienced Zoom user, but when you are prepared there is less that can go wrong. Be sure to test your technology and use the same sense of professionalism you would use in person. If there happens to be a delay in your connection or the call drops, simply start over and explain the issue. Everyone can use a little extra understanding during a virtual interview.
If you’re the interviewer, prepare for your meeting by looking over the applicant’s resume and any other materials they have sent you. Virtual interviews are generally more cost-effective since you can fit more of them into your day, but don’t let your volume of meetings make them impersonal for your applicants. If you are the interviewee, prepare by researching the company and/or the person you are meeting with. And another benefit of a virtual interview is that you’re in your own home instead of an unfamiliar office space — so use that to your advantage and try to relax as much as possible.
2. Offer remote working benefits
Speaking of benefits, employee benefits can make or break a job offer, and the same is true for remote workers. Obviously, you’ll want to see all the usual benefits in a new job description (PTO, insurance, 401k) but a remote position can include additional and unique benefits. As an employer, you can highlight the flexible schedule that remote work offers. Let applicants know if there is a daily block of time or a weekly meeting for which they should plan to be available, but other than that their schedule should be their own to create.
Likewise, for job seekers, let your interviewer know if there are times you are likely to be unavailable (such as for your child’s school drop-off) or a certain time of day when you put in your best work. Other benefits that often come with remote positions can include stipends to set up a home office or to rent a coworking space, stipends or reimbursement for technology and internet costs, access to online professional development, and virtual team activities or happy hours.
3. Adjust job descriptions for remote work
Not sure how to write a job description for remote work as an employer? We can help! Make sure that the job title is as specific as possible, and either set your location as “remote” or include keywords that make it obvious that yours is a remote position. Clearly state the remote nature of this role: Are you willing to hire from any time zone? From outside the U.S.? Is it fully remote or will you require certain days per week or month in the office? And be sure to include those perks we discussed above in the job benefits section!
As a job seeker, you may want to adjust your resume to indicate that you are interested in remote work. You could include in your personal summary statement whether you are open to remote work as an option or only seeking a remote position. And though your mailing address is usually one of the standards on a resume template, it may not be necessary if you’re applying exclusively to remote jobs, aside from perhaps indicating your current time zone.
If you are in need of help with employer recruiting or finding a new position as a job seeker, reach out to the staffing experts at That’s Good HR online or at 317-469-4141!
