The global pandemic has changed the way companies and organizations work. The situation has increased the need for working remotely, and the trend is here to stay. As Forbes puts it, remote opportunities, which were below 4% for all high-paying jobs, jumped up to 9% at the closure of 2020 and have hit 15%. If you are someone looking forward to hiring remote web developers any time soon, this guide is for you.
Besides, hiring remote resources benefits employers in many ways, from cost-cutting to increased productivity.
Why Hire Remote Web Developers
As said earlier, hiring remote web developers will bring amazing benefits for your company. If you are somebody looking to scale up your business without compromising on work efficiency and productivity, onboarding remote employees will be of great help.
How?
Check out the perks of hiring remote web developers below.
Decreased Expenses
When you hire remote developers, you can cut down on overhead costs. You certainly don’t need a physical office space to accommodate them during work hours. Plus, you also avoid expenses on electricity and other office supplies.
That way, you save a lot of money, which you can invest in your core business activities to boost your profit margins.
Access to the Global Talent Pool
You don’t have to worry about location constraints anymore to recruit developers. The remote working model has given employers the freedom to access the global talent pool to hire the best resources.
That means you can hire skilled developers across the world without any hassle. Let’s say you want to recruit five expert web developers for your project. You have the liberty to hire five different people from five different countries to build your team.
That’s a win because it may not always be possible when your team works offline in a physical office setup.
Increased Productivity
People working remotely exhibit more productivity than employees working from the office. According to a recent study, remote resources work 1.4 more days every month than people working from the office, which results in more than 3 extra weeks of work every year.
So, when you hire remote web developers, you get more work productivity, which means faster progress.
This is an effective way to get the work done on time or before deadlines.
Time Flexibility
Developers are not expected to do a typical 9-to-5 job when working remotely. Instead, they can work with flexible timings while making themselves available when calls and meetings are scheduled.
But then, what does that mean for your business?
As remote developers can work with flexible timings, they are free to work at their own pace while still meeting deadlines. This provides them with the space they need and prompts them to work more efficiently.
This way, you can witness remote web developers drive outstanding results for your project.
Cutting-Edge Technologies
In-house teams working offline are likely to be held up with multiple tasks related to your business and it can be challenging for them to monitor the latest technologies and trends at times.
On the contrary, when you collaborate with full-fledged web development specialists working remotely, they will keep track of cutting-edge technologies and leverage them to achieve the desired outcomes for your project.
Factors to Consider When Hiring Remote Web Developers
Recruiting remote web developers who can’t cater to your requirements will be a big setback for your project’s progress and end result. That’s why it is essential to handpick them carefully.
To hire the right web developers for your project, you need to select candidates based on the following criteria:
Your Project Needs
Every project is unique and so are its needs. Be clear about the specific requirements of your project.
That way, when choosing your developers, you can consider the candidates’ ability to meet your project’s unique requirements.
Candidate’s Experience
When it comes to recruiting remote resources, it may not always be possible to train them. That’s why it is advisable to hire experienced candidates rather than newbies.
Have a keen eye for candidates’ work experience and shortlist web developers with considerable industry experience.
Company Culture and Values
The right kind of collaboration, or partnership, fuels a project’s success.
But how do you know you’ve teamed up with the right people?
Identical work culture and values are a must-have for a successful collaboration. So, you have to make sure that your remote resources align with your company’s culture and values.
Time-Zone Differences
Remote working indeed allows people from different time zones to team up on a particular project. However, irrespective of time flexibility, there are instances when everyone in the team has to come together, for example, during team meetings. These are necessary to avoid communication gaps and maintain proper workflow.
So, remember to recruit remote web developers in such a way that time zone differences don’t hold them back from meeting virtually when necessary.
Qualities of a Good Remote Web Developer
You are not looking for a web developer. Rather, you want a good web developer who can work with you remotely.
So, besides considering key factors from your business perspective, you should also consider the qualities that make a good web developer.
Time Management
In business, time is money. That said, resources with good time management skills are an asset to your business.
Recruit developers who can get the deliverables ready on or before deadlines while rightly adhering to team schedules.
Technical Expertise
Your remote development team should be backed by rich technical expertise.
Onboard developers who’ve had exposure to projects similar to yours and also get in touch with their previous employers to confirm their technical expertise.
Optimism
Optimism is contagious. Hiring expert developers with a positive attitude helps keep the team motivated to face challenges and meet strict deadlines.
Select someone with a positive attitude, especially when hiring a seasoned specialist to manage your web development project.
Communication Skills
A small miscommunication can lead to a big mistake. That’s why excellent communication skills are imperative, especially when working with a remote team.
Ensure your remote web developers are proficient in terms of communication in order to avoid potential discrepancies.
Team Spirit
Your developers, or any other resource for that matter, should be willing to work as a team. Pick people who are ready to help the other team members work better.
This holds more true for a remote team because they need each other’s support to stay motivated and work towards achieving a common goal.
How to Hire Remote Web Developers
Now that you know how to identify the right candidates for your web development team, let’s get to the step-by-step process of hiring them.
Step 1: Find Candidates
To hire remote developers, you have to look in the right places and tell them what you are looking for in them.
Create a clear job description, including job title, roles and responsibilities, qualifications, employment type, company overview, and more.
Post job ads on popular job search portals and marketplaces. Also, share your job ads across social media platforms.
Step 2: Screen and Shortlist Candidates
To recruit dedicated developers remotely, you have to scrutinize their portfolios and shortlist them based on their skills.
That’s how you will be able to find developers who are right for your project.
Step 3: Conduct an Interview
Once you shortlist candidate profiles, conduct interviews to evaluate their technical skills. That should tell you if they can cater to the specific requirements of your project.
If you are satisfied with their technical competency, go ahead and evaluate their soft skills. Knowing if they can handle unforeseen challenges and work collaboratively in a team is essential.
Step 4: Make an Offer
Upon selecting web developers for your remote team, have a one-on-one discussion with each of them regarding your terms and conditions.
Some companies require their recruits to serve a 3-month probationary period to see how well the collaboration works and then confirm the offer. Many other companies hire them right away.
Make an offer to the selected candidates based on your company policies.
Step 5: Onboard Developers
Make final decisions on who to hire and let them know everything, including the work process, potential deadlines, preferred communication methods, and much more.
Also, make sure a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is signed to prevent the theft or misuse of your project data.
Conclusion
Recruiting web developers on a global scale to build your remote team can sometimes be overwhelming. However, if you comprehend what to look for in your resources and where to find them, onboarding the right talents can be a cakewalk.
About the author:
Dileep Thekkethil, a Journalism Postgraduate, was formerly with a US-based online magazine and is the Associate Director, Digital Content at Stan Ventures. He is a frequent blogger who keeps tabs on the latest updates in the SEO and technology arena.
