In the face of today's global talent shortage, recruiting skilled candidates has become increasingly competitive. In an effort to distinguish themselves from other businesses looking to fill similar positions, companies have begun to add more and more perks to their job offers. Of these benefits, the option to work remotely is in especially high demand, with 80 to 90 percent of the U.S. workforce say they would like to do so at least part time, according to Global Workplace Analytics.
This should come as no surprise, considering nearly four in 10 American adults employed full time report working at least 50 hours a week, plus the fact that the ubiquity of smartphones and internet connectivity have nearly dissolved the thin line between work and personal time for committed employees.
As much as candidates may be attracted by the prospect of working remotely, businesses must carefully consider when and how they extend this benefit. Working away from the office is not as simple as merely setting up a laptop in a different location. It requires an altogether different approach from both employees and their employers.
Here are a few qualities you should look for when considering whether a potential hire would be a suitable candidate for remote work:
- Self-motivated: When working from home, it can be difficult to stay on task during the slow moments between meetings or projects. If the candidate has experience working remotely at a previous job, speak to a reference and ask specifically about the candidate's performance on days in the office versus those spent at home. If not, look for other signs that the candidate is a self-starter.
- Creative problem solver: Remote employees are often tasked with solving problems and working independently because of their off-site location. Without others to collaborate with, these workers will have to rely on their own creativity to complete assignments with less assistance.
- Proactive communicator: Communication is perhaps the most critical skill for remote workers to have, as they will need to make a proactive effort to keep colleagues up to speed on their efforts and progress on team projects. It's also important that remote workers are easy to reach. Because you can't simply stop by their desk with a quick question, telecommuters must stay diligent about answering phone calls and emails as soon as possible.
Working with executive search consultants like YES Partners can help your business find and attract candidates with specific skill sets despite the global talent shortage. Plus, we take the time to screen candidates and ensure they match the culture of your workplace as well.
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