How To Hire A Remote Engineer?

The concept of remote engineering or to hire a remote engineer can be described as a process to reduce the number of field visits by bringing the field to the engineer. In the field of information technology and the software domain, this process becomes much easier as you can easily bring the entire project online by creating virtual environments.

With the advancement of computer science, many different fields and roles have evolved. This surge has resulted in a larger workforce and workplaces. Remote work culture provides a certain solution to this problem. Besides, this pandemic has also ushered in the work-from-home culture, which further enhances the need to hire remote developers. Some reports show that by 2025, the volume of remote working roles will be equal to that of physical office roles.

Let us now discuss the steps to be taken to hire a remote engineer.

Why Should One Hire a Remote Engineer?

First, it is necessary to know who a ‘remote engineer’ is. A remote engineer is someone who contributes to the specific organizational function through a remote workplace by using shared equipment and tools. Sometimes, they get the option of setting their work times as per their preferences.

According to statistical records, India is among the 15 most badly affected economies due to the global pandemic. Most IT companies are still struggling to survive the consequences of the situation. Social distancing has to be maintained as mass gatherings may have a negative impact. This has underlined the need for a remote hiring process for engineering talent. High-tech companies have experienced sustainable growth after hiring more remote engineers. According to a survey report, 83% of developers want jobs that allow them to work from remote workspaces. This has been beneficial from the industry’s perspective, too.

Skills of a Remote Engineer

Now we will try to identify the qualities one should look for in an efficient remote engineer.

Technical skills are certainly an essential element of the true potential of an ideal employee. But we also need to consider the importance of soft skills, some of which are described below:

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1. Communication

Communication is the basis for efficient functioning. Robust communication is the key to form a better understanding between people. Thus, the developer must be fluent in the native language or the professionally spoken language. Besides, a remote engineer should be able to convey their ideas to colleagues efficiently. Only then can they avoid conflicts and confusion. One must hire a professional who can successfully present an important idea to team members.

2. Teamwork

Teamwork is the summation of all efforts of team members to achieve one common goal. To work in a team, every member must sacrifice his/her personal interests and work together. Therefore, one must look for an employee who can efficiently work in a team and produce relevant outputs for the company.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is another compelling quality that a remote engineer needs to possess. Thus, adaptability is the flexibility to learn new technologies and develop communication skills. One should not stick to old technologies alone. One should try to learn different programming languages to complete any task mandated by the organization. The remote work culture includes shifting of job schedules, which the engineer is expected to be flexible with.

4. Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is not something to accomplish with textbook knowledge. It demands rigorous showcasing of multiple skills. To deal with any critical problem, one must first understand its elemental nature. However, with experience, the knowledge and ability to solve problems quickly and with ease will develop. Also, a remote engineer must be patient and devote more time to learning. Eventually, they will become masters at handling challenging problems.

5. Creativity

Being creative for a technical person means the ability to solve complex problems in innovative ways and search for new solutions. Only then can one perform well as a software developer. Some of the primary areas in which one can display their creativity are web development and Android app development. So, the hiring manager should assess the candidate’s creative abilities during the interview.

Ways to Hire Suitable Remote Engineers

So far, we have looked at the essential qualities of an agile and efficient remote developer. Now, we will discuss the steps that HR managers should follow to hire a remote engineer.

Step 1 – You should mention a well-defined job title, describe it, and mention the CTC package and other perks.

• Job Title: One should finalize the job title by considering all the aspects of the post.
• Job Description: A well-presented job description can give the candidate a clear vision to self-assess and decide if they have the qualifications for the post.
• Remuneration: The hiring manager must mention the annual package, stipend during the training period, and other perks.

Step 2 – You must explain the selection process. To filter the better candidates, the firm can mention a few eligibility criteria first, conduct several screening tests, and finally schedule virtual interviews. Some companies prefer candidates with more experience.

1. Set Essential Eligibility Criteria

First, mention the necessary eligibility criteria to apply for the designation. What are the technical skills and academic performance the candidate must have? Therefore, in this step, a large number of candidates are typically filtered out.

2. Screening Test

You can conduct aptitude, verbal, and logical tests of 30-minute or longer durations to further reduce the candidate pool. These tests will help you determine if the candidate’s basic technical knowledge is suitable for the post. However, you can do it virtually through a video conference as, currently, on-site interviews can be avoided.

3. Technical Round

For technical positions such as a remote engineer, two interviews are conducted — technical and HR rounds. The hiring IT company must arrange a coding contest or some other test to judge the candidate’s technical ability. Therefore, it is the most crucial part of the hiring process. In this phase, the company can get to know the underlying technical skills of the candidate and if they are suitable for the job. The hiring team can also assess peer performance through this round.

The technical round provides sufficient opportunity for the hiring team to assess the candidate’s relevant skills. These skills will be thoroughly tested every day once the selected candidate is on the job.

4. Interview

If a candidate clears all the rounds mentioned above, there is a higher chance of them getting the job and the company securing the right resource. Therefore to confirm that, a virtual interview must be arranged. In the HR round, communication skills can be tested. The hiring manager must also ask about the candidate’s salary expectation and experience.

In case the hiring manager is not sure the candidate is suitable for the post, they can ask their peers for inputs.

5. Offer Letter

If everything is checked off and the candidate is deemed eligible for the post, the company must confirm them with an offer letter. With this, the selection procedure is completed.

Recruitment Process for Project Managers and Senior Engineers

Project managers and senior engineers shape the technical departments and their outputs. Newly hired developers work under the supervision and expertise of these personnel. Thus, the recruitment of competent managers and senior engineers is critical to the overall success of the departments and the organization as a whole. A company must invest sufficient time and efforts to streamline the recruitment process and tweak the criteria as required. With the assessment and hiring of team leaders being a challenging task, the above-mentioned process must be particularly solid and effective.

Advantages of Hiring a Remote Engineer

Now, we will discuss some of the benefits of hiring remote engineers:

1. The pandemic situation has adversely impacted the financial situation of many IT companies. Additionally, the need for a reduced workforce and social distancing in the workspace has made the appointing of remote developers a good option.
2. Companies can hire remote engineers based on their requirements and location. The hiring of remote engineers can also bring about cost efficiencies for the organization.
3. According to the most recent statistics, only 23% of employees want to work without taking any kind of break. So, to get effective contributions within a specific period, hiring remote developers can be a beneficial option.
4. With telecommuting, remote engineers can do their job effectively from any geographical location.

Conclusion

The idea of hiring remote engineers is not a new thing. The pandemic has only made more organizations realize its advantages. Overall, it reduces costs and increases productivity. Seen from the candidate’s point of view, remote engineers do not have to relocate for the job and have the freedom to work irrespective of their location. This makes their hiring beneficial for both the candidate and the company.

Now, you have a clear idea of the process to hire a remote engineer or re-hire one. The steps outlined above are crucial as part of the hiring process. Therefore, selecting an engineering talent for a specific job role is essential for the company’s success.

Supersourcing supports businesses in the creation of a remote work culture. With its 200+ satisfied clients, it has secured multiple accomplished reviews in meeting the need of choosing the right people for the right roles. More than 500 companies around the globe have matched their footsteps with Supersourcing, making it the go-to choice for your organization to hire a remote engineer.