We’ve long recognised that a candidate’s soft skills can be equally as significant as their technical talents and professional expertise when it comes to hiring. However, in our increasingly scattered work environments, where many new employees are remote or hybrid from day one, what were formerly considered nice-to-haves are now considered necessities. And some remote worker skills are more important than others.
What are the most valuable talents for remote work?
Let’s start with the top three soft talents to look for in remote workers.
Motivation by oneself
Working remotely brings distinct obstacles that employees would not face in an in-person setting, with one of the most significant being additional distractions. There’s no getting out of bed in the morning and ignoring the filthy laundry, uncut grass, or even the cosy couch. This is where self-motivation comes into play, along with self-discipline.
Furthermore, the physical distance between coworkers naturally makes it more difficult to rapidly communicate on minor issues that arise. There isn’t a pleasant coworker right over the cubicle who can answer a question right away. Being self-motivated entails being self-starter. Workers must be comfortable making decisions on their own when appropriate and not be afraid to seek more assistance when necessary.
These are only two examples of the independence, honesty, and attention required for remote work. An employee will be unable to contribute consistently to a remote team unless they have the soft skill of self-motivation.
To be successful in this environment, remote workers must be able to walk into each day knowing exactly what they need to do. Then they must be able to complete jobs without being prompted by a management who is looking over their shoulder.
Remote and hybrid employment are ideal for persons who can tune out distractions and are at ease with a high level of autonomy.
Interaction
Conference calls and written communication are a way of life for distant teams.
Remote worker abilities must include purposeful communication in order to strengthen hybrid or virtual work environments. These people know how to let their personalities shine regardless of the work environment and make an effort to get to know the people on the other end of the phone or camera.
It is critical that new recruits are adept at determining what to say, as well as when and how to say it, in a variety of contexts – email, message, phone, and video – and for a variety of goals, including:
Relationship development
- Idea exchange
- Persuading
- Problem-solving
- Progress reports
Look for candidates who are comfortable transitioning between different kinds of communication – and who are eager to engage people in whichever way they choose in order to improve collaboration.
Persuasion
There are several books on how to lead effectively at work. That’s because convincing others to follow you towards a goal necessitates polished influencing skills.
Remote management positions with a large number of direct reports necessitate observant leaders with exceptional capacity to influence others.
Getting team members to work enthusiastically on assigned tasks and to interact productively with one another involves tremendous skill on the phone and in writing.
People that are self-motivated, have strong communication skills, and have the ability to influence others make excellent supervisor candidates. Even if you aren’t looking for a management position, this is an excellent talent to look for if there is potential for growth in a role.
How do you strike a balance between job and home life?
Describe an instance when you had to work alone to tackle a problem.
Using pre-employment screening tests
Hiring someone is like fitting together different puzzle pieces to see if you can obtain a clear image of who someone is and whether they’re right for the role.
Pre-employment personality tests are a terrific addition to determining someone’s soft skills for remote work because they will show you their particular behavioural strengths.
If you administer a personality test to candidates prior to their first or second interview, the results can even help you plan interview questions that focus on specific soft skills that are crucial in your evaluation.
Read More: 5 Reasons Why You Need a 5-Star Recruiting System
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