Unless you live under a rock, you know that there is a rapid shift happening in the world of work. Thanks to ever-evolving technology and the ability to conduct business online, telecommuting has gone from distant pipe dream to a modern-day reality. Employers are building teams of their dreams, drawing from a global pool of top talent.

Virtual work options are a natural fit for the tech industry, but building a remote tech team comes with its own unique challenges. Here’s how to ensure you’re hiring and retaining the most talented employees, even from afar.

Embrace Tech Tools During the Hiring Process

If you’re hiring for a remote position, why not interview remotely? Consider the hiring phase a test run for the candidate’s ability to communicate and collaborate from afar. If your company uses tools like Zoom or Slack for day-to-day communication, embrace these same tools as you weed through potential candidates. This will allow you to discern relatively quickly who will be suited for remote work and who will simply not make the cut.

Be On the Lookout for the Right Skills

Regardless of the role you’re hiring for, the most successful remote teams are made up of employees with a few essential qualities. Here are just a few to look out for during the interview process:

  • Self-Managed: Make sure your remote candidate has the ability to manage their own time and doesn’t need a boss hovering over their shoulder to get things done. Keep in mind that many employees may think they’re cut out for remote work only to later find that they have no idea how to manage their time at home.
  • Proactive Communication Style: When you’re fighting to meet an important deadline, there’s nothing quite like delayed communication to cut productivity. Remote teams can quickly fall apart when communication is lacking. Look for remote team members who are committed to proactive and consistent communication.
  • Self-Motivated: It probably goes without saying, but due to the independent nature of their work, remote employees must exhibit an internal drive to achieve. Be sure to get a good sense of what motivates each candidate and whether or not they’ve shown the ability to stay committed from afar.

If you want to build a winning remote tech team, hiring the right people is essential.

Bring the Remote Tech Team Together 

Hiring the right employees is only half of the battle. To build the remote tech team of your dreams, you’ll need to find a way to keep your people engaged once they’re on board. Here are a few ways to bring the team together to make up for those lost ‘water cooler’ moments:

  • Annual Company Retreats: Give your remote employees the chance to connect in person at least on yearly basis with an annual company retreat.
  • Dedicated Slack Channels: Create a safe space for employees to communicate about things unrelated to work. This will encourage your remote team to get to know each other on a human level and boost your company culture.
  • Invest in Project Management Tools: Real-time collaboration is key for remote workforces. Make sure your remote employees are armed with all the tools they need to stay up-to-date and proactive from afar.
  • Regular Social Outings: Perhaps your remote team is located in the same general area. If that’s the case, be sure to schedule regular social outings to give employees a chance to come together and bond.

Looking for more? Reach out to our dedicated team of talent augmentation specialists to start building the team of your dreams today.