Hire a Local or Go Remote? 11 Key Factors to Consider
Welcome to Recruiter Q&A, where we pose employment-related questions to the experts and share their answers!
Today’s Question: When weighing whether to hire someone local or remote, what factors most influence your decision?
The answers below are provided by Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue each year, and have created tens of thousands of jobs.
When you hire a local employee, they have to come in for an interview. When you’re hiring remotely, the process can be a little more open-ended. When I want to hire a remote worker, I always ask if they are willing to meet for a video interview or two, depending on the position. If they are willing to do a video interview, that shows me they can be just as dependable as a local worker.
— John Turner, SeedProd, LLC
I want to know that a person will work whether I’m there watching them or not. They need to have the work ethic to get what needs to be done within the time frame given and not get distracted because they know no one is watching.
— Serenity Gibbons, NAACP
Whether you’re hiring local or remote, compatibility with the team is key. It’s important a person can fit into the culture of the company. Running your business is similar to running a sports team: Not only do you need superstars to be successful, but you also need a team with chemistry and camaraderie.
— Anthony Davani, The Davani Group Inc.
Most recruiters and HR representatives look at past experience rather than assessing a person’s behavioral skills. Behavioral skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and more. They’re assets you can’t obtain overnight, and it takes work to develop and maintain them. Not everyone can master behavioral skills, which is why you must keep them in mind when making a hiring decision.
— Jared Atchison, WPForms
My company doesn’t require employees to work locally, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to hiring local employees. I look more at candidates’ capabilities, past experiences, and skill sets to determine whether they’re the right fit. Being remote or not doesn’t have much to do with it.
— Stephanie Wells, Formidable Forms
One of the most important traits a person can have, in my opinion, is punctuality. A person who is conscious of time will be on time for an interview and will deliver projects on time. You can rely on someone who knows the importance of meeting deadlines and being punctual. This is one of the most important traits you can find in a person whether you’re hiring for remote or local jobs.
— Blair Williams, MemberPress
I’ve worked with a number of remote employees throughout the years, and I also allow my team to work remotely on Fridays. I believe the single most important trait is for the person to be committed to getting the work done accurately and on time.
— Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
We have remote employees all over the world, and I must say, we have never had issues with getting stuff done just because someone is out of the office. The most important thing about any new hire is the candidate’s personality. Are they diligent? Are they willing to go all in and be a team player? When there is a position to fill, that’s what we pay attention to first.
— Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
A remote worker should be experienced in working remotely, otherwise it’s better to hire an in-office employee and let them build up experience before going fully remote.
— Nicole Munoz, Nicole Munoz Consulting, Inc.
Any employee, remote or local, needs to know how to manage their time and their priorities. That way, they can complete assignments to meet deadlines and provide utmost value to your network.
— Duran Inci, Optimum7
When you’re hiring someone remotely, you depend on them to carry out their tasks and keep you updated. An employee with great written and oral communication skills can be a great asset to your business in general, but in a remote position, great communication is absolutely vital.
— Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner