Forget the traditional hiring playbook. Welcome to 2024, where offshore hiring isn't just a niche; it's a core element of your growth strategy.
At Smartexe, we have been recruiting and managing offshore teams since 2004. We’ve made every possible mistake, so read this if you want to avoid them:
Pitch it right!
A killer job description is key to finding the right people. But don't beat around the bush: Be completely honest about what you want. List skills, spill the beans on salary, and don’t forget the perks. Make it snappy, make it sexy.
Start with breaking down the job description info into digestible chunks. This is where a bulleted list can be very effective here as it greatly improves readability and effectiveness. Be specific about the job requirements:
- exact years of experience;
- specific technologies;
- language knowledge;
- time-zone requirements;
- location preferences.
Don’t forget to talk about the vibes in the office… Is it a young and energetic environment? Mature and professional? Make sure people know this upfront - you don’t need a cultural mismatch.
Explore alternative hiring options, but beware of pitfalls
Don’t put all your eggs into the HR basket. In 2024, this is not enough. Check out freelance jungles, social media oceans, and maybe flirt with a few recruiting agencies. Remember, freelancers are great for hit-and-run projects, but if you need long-term allies you better focus on dedicated full-time remote workers.
This is where you should be aware of an alarming trend that has been emerging lately: many remote workers are taking on more than one remote job to earn more money… so be careful.
If you don’t have access to great offshore talent, consider using outsourcing companies like ours. Just make sure they actually do background checks and can vouch for the people they hire.
Great offshore outsourcing companies also bring people to work onsite, and nurture talent in-house, rather than just acting as intermediaries..
You’ll be surprised, but this approach can also deliver the best value for money. Good outsourcing companies will make sure you don’t overpay, provide professional guidance, and handle all the HR headaches. [Yes, this was the shameless self-promotion part of the article]
You better comply!
The one thing you should always keep in mind when hiring offshore is compliance with local rules and regulations. It’s a legal maze – contracts, taxes, local laws, and you have no choice but to make friends with them if you want to manage the recruitment yourself. Logistical aspects such as time zone differences and remote work setup also need careful consideration to ensure smooth operations.
It’s showtime: the interview process
The interview isn't just a process. It's an art form. This is your chance to find not just another employee, but a game-changer, a rule-breaker, someone who'll ride the wave of innovation with you.
Use video calls to get up close and personal. You’ll be able to see if there is a fire in the candidate's eyes, not just the lifeless gaze.
Add some coding tests to see who knows their stuff. It's about finding that diamond in the rough.
Note, that you can use interview time for live coding challenges, brain-teasing puzzles, and real-world problem-solving scenarios. See how they think on their feet, how they tackle a crisis, and how they handle the pressure. Remember, you're not just looking for a code machine. You're scouting for a tech wizard with a dash of street smarts.
The next step is soft skills. Ask questions that make them reveal their true colors. How do they handle conflict? How do they handle remote work challenges? It's about finding a cultural fit, someone who's as much a rebel at heart as they are a tech genius.
Finally, make sure your candidate is on the same page with your team because, at the end of the day, even the best code can't fix a team.
Remote hiring isn't just a trend; it's the new reality. By embracing the chaos and keeping a positive attitude, you can discover amazing talent, grow your department, and move your mission forward.
If you do consider adding a partner in crime, give us a ping, we probably have the right organic team of developers available for you. One that is ready and willing to start delivering lines of code from day one. We can also take all the recruitment headaches off of you. What are you waiting for!?
