1. Start by defining your needs
Take the time to define the essential skills and experience you seek in a remote worker. Specific tasks and responsibilities can vary depending on the role, but some general soft skills necessary for remote workers include communication, organization, and time management. You can create a job description once you know what you're looking for.

2. Write a clear job description
Your job description should be clear and concise and accurately reflect the skills and experience you're looking for. The details should include requisite experience with specific technology, sectors, or tools required to fulfill the job requirements. It should also include information about the company culture, the work environment, and the benefits offered to remote workers.

3. Use the proper channels to attract candidates
You can use several channels to attract remote candidates, including online job boards, social media, and referral programs. When using online job boards, target sites popular with remote workers to get in front of a wider audience.

4. Screen candidates carefully
When screening candidates, focus on their skills, experience, and ability to work remotely. Although you are hiring remote workers, you can still get a good sense of who they are as a person and as a remote worker by scheduling a video conference and asking them to complete a small task beforehand. Candidates can be asked to complete a small sample job task or asked to take a personality quiz. This will give you more in-depth insights into the candidates and help you select the best ones.

5. Offer a competitive salary and benefits package
Remote workers are often willing to take a pay cut in exchange for the flexibility of working from home. However, you still need to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to help you attract and retain the best remote workers since most companies now offer remote options, making it very favorable for the worker in the negotiation process.

6. Provide training and support
Remote workers may need some training and support to get up to speed on your company's culture and processes. Hiring and onboarding in groups or pairs makes the onboarding process much more efficient, adds healthy competition, and provides cross-training between new employees. Ensure that new hires have the resources they need to be successful.

7. Communicate regularly
It's essential to periodically communicate with your remote workers to continue building trust and rapport, and it will also help ensure that everyone is on the same page. Regular check-ins also alleviate remote workers' loneliness by keeping them in the loop and feeling that they are a part of a team.

8. Set clear expectations
Set clear expectations and deadlines for remote workers and provide the tools they need to complete the job. A CMMS system can be instrumental for roles that require equipment management, allowing remote workers to monitor and maintain assets effectively from afar. Promoting a culture of collaboration is vital so remote workers feel empowered to ask questions and reach out to colleagues for help if needed.

9. Trust your remote workers
Remote workers must be trusted to manage their time and work independently. It is also crucial to be more flexible and adaptable so there is good coordination between your team members. The stronger the trust, the more likely they will be productive and successful.

Remote work can be a great way to find the best talent and build a high-performing team. Currently, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, illustrating the rapid normalization of remote work environments. If implemented carefully, any team can establish a successful remote hiring process and gain access to top talent worldwide.