Businesses today have more options than ever before regarding where and how they recruit new talent. Thanks to new technologies and a general shift in working cultures, organizations can now access a much wider talent pool when hiring full-time remote employees.

However, with this added hiring flexibility come certain complexities associated with hiring individuals living outside the state or country. Businesses face unique challenges when competing globally with others trying to attract the same talent. They also must maintain an optimal remote working environment for those who won’t be located in the same office building.

Luckily, your business can adopt various strategies to appeal more to remote job candidates and maximize long-term employee retention.

What job candidates are looking for

Years ago, most businesses had rigid employment standards built around traditional corporate hiring practices. However, today’s working environments are much more flexible and accommodating, catering to newer generations of employees who are more selective when choosing employers.

Here are some of the priorities most job candidates look for when choosing companies.

More flexibility and autonomy

With more businesses allowing employees to work in hybrid or fully remote settings, scheduling flexibility and autonomy have become increasingly important for job candidates. When comparing places of employment, businesses that give job candidates more flexibility in where and when they work often receive more applications and general interest.

Better work-life balance

Today’s younger workers are more tuned to their mental health needs. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is critical for developing personal and professional goals. Companies that recognize this important need and have policies to support it are often more appealing to potential job candidates.

Career growth and development

Whether an employee works on-premises or remotely, it’s important to help them feel like they’re more than just another number. This means looking for ways to provide opportunities for growth within the organization. If job candidates feel they’ll be able to move up in a company they are considering, there’s a better chance they’ll be willing to apply.

Competitive compensation and benefits

Offering a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits packages is one of the most important elements of attracting potential candidates. Although every organization has different budgets they must work within, looking for ways to support an employee’s financial and physical needs is important for standing out from competitor brands.

Positive company cultures

A strong company culture and defined values can significantly improve an organization’s appeal to remote candidates. Even when working outside the office, feeling connected to a company’s mission helps create an essential sense of belonging. Effective communication strategies with employees, providing various incentives throughout the year, and finding ways to show appreciation for a job well done all contribute to a healthier working culture for everyone.

Creating a memorable employer experience for remote candidates

A strong employer brand is essential for attracting top remote talent in this competitive job market. However, because remote job candidates will have little exposure to how your business operates behind closed doors, it’s important to take certain steps to provide an inside glimpse of what it would be like to work for your company.

Create a compelling employee value proposition (EVP)

Your EVP is similar to a mission statement and directly addresses what makes your company a unique and rewarding workplace. It should highlight the benefits and opportunities you offer to all employees, and the steps you take to ensure every team member feels valued, regardless of their location.

Highlight your remote working culture

Whether you hire only a few remote employees or your entire business operates remotely, you want to ensure that potential candidates know exactly how you distribute teams. Discuss how your remote working culture is structured, including any tools and technologies you use for seamless communication and collaboration between employees and departments.

Leverage various channels when posting jobs

Businesses have many options when creating a more engaging brand experience for remote job candidates. Use social media, your company website, and online business review sites to promote your employer brand better and reach a wider talent pool. Don’t be afraid to share employee testimonials and showcase why your business is an excellent choice for remote workers.

Effective tips for optimizing remote hiring

Although gaining more interest from potential job candidates is important, taking steps to retain that interest is also essential. An efficient hiring process is one of the best ways to achieve this.

Writing effective remote job descriptions

Creating job descriptions that capture more interest is an important first step for HR teams. One of the first things you’ll want to do is clearly outline any required skills, experience, or qualifications for the role. However, you don’t want to forget to showcase your business’ differentiating features for employees—especially when providing flexibility for remote working employees. 

Describe how your organization is different when providing the support necessary to help remote employees succeed in their roles, as well as the growth opportunities the business provides. Another thing to discuss is requirements or provisions regarding employee equipment or home office requirements.

Conducting virtual interviews

Virtual interviews require an approach that’s different from traditional in-person interviews. However, this doesn’t mean businesses can’t get the same value from the process. Investing in various video conferencing tools can help businesses create a professional and engaging experience for potential candidates and hiring managers.

Be sure to prepare a good mix of questions that help you assess candidates’ skills, any relevant experience in remote-working settings, and whether they’re a good cultural fit for your organization. Be mindful of time zones and potential technical difficulties when interviewing candidates in other countries.

Using technology to streamline hiring

Remote working cultures aren’t new. Many different technologies are available to help businesses manage and streamline their hiring processes.

For example, applicant tracking systems (ATS) can help you manage multiple job applications, schedule remote interviews, and track candidate progress from start to finish. By incorporating these types of technologies, businesses can improve their hiring processes, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on HR teams, and ensure a smoother experience for remote job candidates.

Onboarding remote employees

A strong onboarding process is also important when moving remote job candidates through the final hiring stages. But getting to this point requires more than sending out a welcome email and hoping for the best. 

You want to make sure you have a structured onboarding program that provides new hires with all the necessary information, resources, and support to succeed in their roles. For employees who are fully remote and unable to visit the office, this also includes virtual introductions to all applicable team members. Another great tip is to pair new hires with certain experienced employees who can serve as an ongoing resource for company information, answer questions, and help new hires understand any tools or solutions used to manage remote working assignments.

Building a strong sense of community

One of the biggest challenges of remote work is avoiding situations where employees feel they’re isolated or disconnected from the business. While some individuals might not mind working independently, it’s vital that everyone feels like a valuable contributor, regardless of where they work.

Working to create a strong sense of community with your remote workforce is a crucial step if you want better business results. One way you can do this is by arranging virtual coffee breaks, where everyone can get a chance to chat with each other over video conference calls. You could also host regular social events, like virtual lunches or game nights, to encourage more informal discussions and help individuals connect.

Providing ongoing support

Newly hired, remote employees should feel the business is highly invested in their long-term development with the company. You can demonstrate your commitment to your remote employees’ growth by offering a variety of continuous learning opportunities. These include online courses or workshops to help them expand their skill sets and stay ahead in their roles. 

Another way to prove you’re committed to your employees’ success is by taking the time to provide regular feedback to help them better understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and feel valued for the contributions they make.

Start attracting and retaining more remote candidates

Getting more remote job candidates interested in applying to your business requires the right approach. By focusing on the needs and priorities of today’s job seekers, optimizing your hiring processes, and highlighting your progressive company culture, you can build great teams for your business to help you achieve your objectives.