We all know that remote workers carry out various functions. Some specialise in some particularly tedious or complicated tasks. However, while their job descriptions or qualifications might vary, their personalities aren’t all that different.
If you’ve been working alongside Filipino remote talent for a long time, you’ll notice that. You might even have a laundry list of traits you look for when interviewing for a remote position.
However, selecting the right candidate can be a bit trickier if you’re new to working with a remote team. But fear not, we here at Remote Staff have compiled a list of what to look for so that you’ll still end up with rockstars:
1. Good communication skills.
Thanks to technology and various online collaboration tools, it’s a lot easier to communicate with a distributed team. However, this might not feel as natural for people who are used to having their colleagues and bosses around them.
It is vital that your remote worker is able to communicate well from a distance because non-verbal cues and nuances are practically unreliable in a remote set-up. A great remote worker has to be able to read between the lines and communicate as clearly as possible. Ambiguity helps no one here.
How can you tell if a candidate has good communication skills? Pay attention to how they reply to your emails. Do they stay on track yet provide sufficient information? Are they confident enough to ask questions of their own accord?
Then, from there, observe how they communicate through video interviews and instant chats. If they’re able to answer your questions confidently and eloquently, that’s a good sign.
2. Strong self-discipline.
Remote teams function best when their members know what’s expected of them and can regulate themselves. Working at home poses a lot more distractions than a traditional workplace. Someone who is easily sidetracked by naps, snacking, or even feeding the cat wouldn’t be a good fit for any team.
How to tell if someone is disciplined? There are two ways. One, you ask them how they deal with distractions or how they structure their workday. Another is by assigning them a task with a deadline. 24-48 hours should do it, but be sure to pay them for this. Their results should tell you everything you need to know.
3. Excellent time management skills.
These go hand in hand with good self-discipline. When you work at home, you function as your own manager, so you are in charge of your own schedule. If you don’t plan your day well (and stick to it), you could end up missing crucial deadlines. Even if you do work through the night.
As with the previous item, a paid sample project is a good way to test a candidate’s skills in this area. Be sure to set a reasonable deadline, however.
4. Proactiveness.
Another term for this is good problem-solving skills. The best remote workers function well independently because you can rely on them to resolve most issues that may crop up during the day.
Unlike traditional office workers who have the company’s IT department on speed dial, remote workers are pretty much on their own. So, if there’s a problem with their hardware or internet connection, for instance, they should have some solutions handy.
Consider asking your candidates about that when you conduct your video interviews.
5. Flexibility.
A person who thrives on freedom and flexibility is likely to produce better results than someone who’s more rigid. The thing with working from home is that no matter how well you structure your schedule, there will be days when you need to make adjustments.
Great remote workers need to be able to roll with the punches when needed. Whether a child is sick, the faucet needs repairs, or they need to run urgent errands, they should be able to make up for that as needed. And still, produce desired results.
6. Ability to cultivate and maintain a good work-life balance.
I know that productivity is the number one concern of most remote employers. It’s understandable, really. That is what you’re paying for.
But get this. You don’t want someone who works 24/7 either. Human beings simply aren’t built for that. There’s a reason why we need to sleep for eight hours, have weekends off, and take holidays. The rest isn’t just good for our bodies. It also rejuvenates our minds and provides us with a fresh perspective too, which we can all bring into our jobs to everyone’s benefit.
Besides, a well-rested, happy remote worker will always outperform an overworked, miserable one. If you believe otherwise, we can’t help you.
Still confused? No worries, we at Remote Staff can take care of screening your remote workers for you. Heck, we’ve been doing that for more than a decade.
For nearly fourteen years now, we’ve been prescreening and onboarding the best Filipino VA’s, graphic designers, and social media managers for our valued clients. You can bet we can spot the winners from a mile away…all so that we can point them in the right direction. Yours.
Intrigued? Click here to schedule a callback today.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
