In the last few years, we have observed a rapid rise in what we call remote work. Accelerated by advancements in technology as well as global events, remote work has become the new normal in many industries, including the IT industry too. |
IT companies, in particular, have embraced remote work due to the flexibility and efficiency it offers to both employers and employees. As advocates of this working style, we believe in its benefits, but we also recognize the challenges that come with it.
Our goal is to explore these benefits while sharing essential tips and strategies to address common challenges such as staying organized, communication issues, and work-life balance. With the right approach, remote work can be even more productive and rewarding.
Best practices for hiring remote
First of all, remote work gives you access to a global talent pool, which can be seen as one of the primary benefits, as you are no longer limited by geographical constraints. This allows companies to attract specialized talent that might not be locally available. However, embracing remote hiring comes with specific needs and challenges too as there are some key skills you will need to look for.
As your talent pool expands, so does the range of skills you need to prioritize. For instance, strong communication abilities become essential, along with the need to find candidates who demonstrate effective self-management skills. To ensure a solid assessment, it's essential to follow best practices and implement a more structured evaluation process.
When hiring for remote roles, technical proficiency is crucial, but so is the ability to work independently.
It is important to look for candidates with prior remote work experience, as they are most likely to understand the challenges of working from home and managing their time effectively. Of course, self-management skills are generally crucial, but when it comes to remote experience, they become mandatory – so make sure your candidates can prioritize their tasks efficiently without direct supervision.
Usually, in remote hiring processes, technical assessments are key.
Use coding tests and technical interviews to ensure candidates have the skills needed to thrive in a remote environment.
Another emphasis lies on cultural fit and communication skills.
As we know, communication is the backbone of team collaboration – both in remote and on-site work environments. Ensure candidates have strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
At the same time, emphasize cultural fit by evaluating whether candidates align with your company’s values, vision, and working style. This helps foster a positive work environment, increases employee engagement, and ensures long-term success, as individuals who resonate with the company culture are more likely to collaborate effectively and contribute to shared goals.
Lastly, conducting background checks is essential in remote hiring.
Since you may not meet candidates in person, verifying their credentials and work experience becomes even more crucial. This ensures they have the right qualifications and can be trusted to work independently, adding extra confidence to your hiring decisions.
Best practices for onboarding remote teams
When it comes to onboarding remote employees, there are some practices that will streamline the process.
Creating a structured virtual onboarding plan will help employees to have a smooth transition.
You can include an introduction to the company’s culture, team, projects, best practices and tools. A combination of presentations and documentation can be used, that employees can reference at their own pace.
Make sure new hires have access to the necessary tools and technologies from day one.
IT teams often require access to specific hardware, software, servers, or virtual machines so ensure new employees have all necessary login credentials, permissions, and training on the tools your team uses, such as GitHub, Slack, Jira, or cloud environments like AWS.
Peer-to-peer connection is at the core of our values, so assigning a buddy or mentor who can help new hires to feel more connected and supported, especially during the initial weeks, is crucial.
Holding regular check-ins and encouraging new hires to reach out frequently is a good way to gain feedback and make the necessary adjustments if needed.
Best practices for managing remote teams
Now, speaking of managing remote teams, they work best when they have clear goals and measurable outcomes.
It’s important to define specific and achievable targets for individuals and the team as a whole. For this, project management tools like Jira, Trello or Asana can be used to track progress. This is especially important in projects, where tasks can be complex and timelines need to be managed closely.
Investing in communication tools is just as important.
By having a broad range of options, you can equip your team with the right tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams for instant messaging, Zoom or Google Meet for video conferencing, and tools like Confluence or Notion for knowledge sharing. Even when working remotely, it’s necessary to maintain a sense of cohesion by encouraging regular communication within your team.
While flexibility is a major advantage of remote work, it’s important to set clear expectations around core working hours, meeting times, and deadlines, implementing a flexible, yet structured schedule. Work often involves collaborating across different time zones, so agreeing on a structure that accommodates time zone differences is crucial.
Fostering a strong sense of collaboration is crucial for both on-site and remote teams.
In remote work, it's easy for employees to feel isolated or disconnected, so it's important to actively address this. Encourage regular virtual team meetings, social gatherings, and informal check-ins to promote an inclusive and connected work environment. Encouraging open communication and collaboration tools can further ensure that team members maintain a sense of belonging, helping to bridge the gap that physical distance may create.
Regular feedback is critical for the growth of both employees and the team.
Scheduling regular one-on-one meetings with remote employees to discuss their progress, challenges and development opportunities is important for their evolution, well-being, and sense of belonging.
Conclusion
Remote work is here to stay, and building effective processes for hiring, onboarding, and managing remote teams is crucial for long-term success.
Although there is a trend towards returning to traditional on-site work, companies that embrace flexibility, emphasize effective communication, and invest in the right tools will find themselves well-positioned to maintain productivity even among remote employees, and foster a positive work culture – no matter where their team members are located.
// References
HR Future. (2023). Creating a positive remote work culture. HR Future.
Makkar, Mansi & Rani, Neetu. (2024). Remote Working: Examining Benefits, Challenges and Organizational Practices. Formosa Journal of Science and Technology.
// Vivien Újvárosi // OCTOBER 21 2024
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