What to Look for When Hiring a Remote Employee

As a business owner, starting from the ground up can be extremely intimidating. It becomes your responsibility to build your team of innovators who are committed to turning your business idea into a lucrative reality. Once you’ve got a strong team working like a well-oiled machine, you just need to tie up a few loose ends to ensure your big idea is headed in the right direction. If your business is expanding quickly, your first instinct is likely to hire people as fast as you can to keep up with the growing workload. However, not every job needs a full-time hire to go above and beyond your expectations.

From saving your business a lump sum of money to accessing the best talent from anywhere in the world, hiring remote employees has several attractive perks. Not only are freelancers great for temporary work you need completed immediately, but they’re also incredibly cost-efficient for businesses looking to get the biggest bang for their buck.

But what exactly should you be on the lookout for when hiring a remote employee? How can you make sure you’re setting yourself up for success? We’re here to fill you in.

1. Communication skills

Communication is an important factor in any modern workplace relationship. Though it may take many different forms outside of traditional face-to-face meetings, communication is crucial, however it looks. It is incredibly important for you to be able to reach your freelancer anytime you need them. Every freelancer has their preferred method of communication, so before settling on the freelancer for your open job, be sure their preferred method is acceptable for you.

2. Ability to work independently

Working virtually with someone is a completely different ballpark than traditional work situations. Onboarding remote workers requires different managerial skills, documentation, and training processes. You’ll need to make sure the freelancer you choose is able to work independently and with pointed diligence. You’ll want to confirm that they have a strong internet connection and a track record that shows they have stellar follow-through rates.

3. Willingness to learn

A willingness to learn is an incredibly important consideration if you’re looking for a long-term freelancer who will grow with your company. You won’t want to end up with someone who is far too set in their ways to learn how you run your business or how you set your expectations. A good freelancer is malleable—excellent at their job, and more than willing to learn and experiment with new methods of doing things. Whether it’s coming up with new P&C business solutions or taking a new angle on how to formulate infographics, the right freelancer will come with ideas and an eagerness to learn.

4. Availability

Even the most decorated freelancers only have so many hours they’re able to work in a day, and it’s your job to find out how much of that time they’ll be able to dedicate to you. The catch is that if they’re good at their job and in high demand, those hours will likely fill up faster than you can blink. When talking with a potential freelance hire, be sure to ask them about their availability. If your open position is a short-term one-off gig, your demand will likely be low, but if you’re looking for ongoing help, you’ll need to express that from the jump.

Pro-tip: Be upfront about your deadlines. The freelancer will be able to tell you immediately whether or not they can accommodate your workload into their schedule.

5. Previous work

A freelancer’s previous work will speak volumes to their abilities. While looking through their resume, testimonials, and portfolio, ask yourself these questions:

• How does the work compare what you’re expecting?
• Were former clients pleased with the work? What did they have to say?
• How much experience does the freelancer demonstrate?

While looking through previous work, you should be on the hunt for quality and consistency. And if the freelancer doesn’t have any testimonials to offer on their website, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ve never had any previous clients. Certain contract restrictions come with strict privacy terms that prevent the freelancer from disclosing who they have worked with. The easiest solution? Ask them yourself! They’ll be able to tell you everything that their portfolio may not.

Hiring can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when you just want to hire the right person. Using these 5 tips, you’ll be well on your way toward hiring the perfect freelancer for your job!

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