This we know: the pandemic has long-term effects around the world. Apart from the health impact, it has caused many people to lose their jobs. As economies begin to recover, more job seekers are turning to the internet for help.

Offshore staff are taking the place of traditional in-person employees, and companies are leveraging remote recruitment to restart their operations. Given that the number of online professionals are rising, you might be thinking about hiring one yourself to enjoy the related benefits.

Remote work is for the present and the future

According to a recent study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information, up to 37% of jobs in the United States may be performed at home. These jobs account for 46% of all US wages, though there is significant variation across industries and cities.

Despite these statistics, many businesses for which remote work was always possible are embracing the concept only now. Some think of outsourcing staff as a temporary solution while others are making it a permanent part of their operations.

No matter which category your organisation may fall under, you need to understand that the recruitment landscape is changing. This means you must invest in technology to embrace the changes and thrive in the global economy.

The perks of remote staffing

For workers, the benefits of remote work include the possibility of living anywhere, greater flexibility with their schedules, and the chance to spend more time with loved ones. There are just as many advantages of successful remote staffing, such as:

An increase in productivity

You may be concerned that offshore staff will be less productive than onsite employees. While it’s true that there are plenty of distractions at home and nobody to directly supervise, there are many people who are able to focus more when they are working remotely.

Research by Airtasker reveals that remote professionals worked 1.4 more days per month than those who were based in an office. This adds up to over 16 additional days every year, despite the fact that they tend to take longer breaks than in-person staff.

A boost in scalability

It’s hard to find people with a specific skill set when you’re limited to applicants within your local area. Besides that, you’ll have to make space in your office and buy new equipment every time you add a new member to your team.

When managing virtual staff, you aren’t restricted in who you may employ nor in how many. This is beneficial for small to medium enterprises that are aiming to expand within a short period of time. It helps to have an offshore staffing agency to assist with recruitment though.

A bump in engagement

Part of the reason why remote staff have higher productivity is that they feel more engaged. In a 2020 study by Growmotely, it is shown that 61% of employees prefer to be fully remote and that 97% of workers would rather not return to the office full-time.

They enjoy the lack of commute and the chance to fit other activities around work. A greater work-life balance and engagement in their personal life leads to greater commitment to their job. Ultimately, when your team is engaged, they are less likely to leave the company.

Factors to consider for successful remote staffing

Just because remote workers are more productive, affordable, and engaged, it doesn’t you will automatically enjoy the benefits. Make the effort in properly managing virtual staff, particularly in these aspects:

Culture

While it doesn’t make sense to fly in virtual staff in the Philippines for in-person team building activities, you may invest in tools that help them connect and interact with their colleagues and peers instead. Get creative with your ideas in fostering company culture and try:

• Hosting online events, like trivia nights or games, for all members to participate in
• Offering the same opportunities for recognition to all, regardless where they’re located
• Setting up virtual meetings where workers may exchange ideas over a cup of coffee

Add content to your corporate website to build your employer brand and attract top talent by:

• Blogging on important topics in your specific industry and about outsourcing staff
• Getting your existing employees to share testimonials about working in the company

Communication

Meaningful and intentional communication is key for successful remote staffing. For instance, you might invest in video conferencing tools so your recruiters may meet with candidates virtually for check-ins and interviews. Video calls allow people to feel engaged so it’s more effective than emails or calls.

Recruitment

Remote workers like to visit job boards and listings specific to their work model. It makes sense that you go where they are if you want to recruit them. In other words, rely on remote boards and add an option for remote work in your listings.

Other tips for successful remote staffing

If you still feel overwhelmed when transitioning to a remote workforce, try these recruiting tips to ease your worries:

• Writing concise and engaging job listings that provide the details of the work
• Establishing a clear hiring process so applicants know where they’re at
• Checking the candidate’s equipment if it’s up to standard
• Making use of video tools for interviews and giving instructions
• Getting your team on the same page for hiring requirements
• Giving applicants an assignment or trial project to evaluate their skills
• Keeping your candidates engaged so they don’t quit in the middle
• Ensuring the privacy of your candidates without compromising your own

Hire virtual staff in the Philippines successfully

If you think you’re ready to manage virtual staff, go ahead with recruiting for remote roles. We at Remote Workmate are here to assist you with offshore staffing. We’ll connect you with job seekers who meet your standards for successful remote staffing.