How can you identify the best remote workers for your team?

1 Assess their skills and experience

The first step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to assess their skills and experience. You need to make sure that they have the relevant and required skills for the role, as well as the ability to learn new tools and technologies quickly. You can use online tests, portfolios, or samples of their previous work to evaluate their skills and experience. You can also ask them to complete a short assignment or a mock project to see how they perform in a real scenario.

2 Evaluate their personality and fit

The second step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to evaluate their personality and fit. You need to make sure that they have the right attitude, values, and motivation for working remotely, as well as the ability to adapt to your team culture and expectations. You can use online personality tests, video interviews, or reference checks to evaluate their personality and fit. You can also ask them about their work preferences, goals, and challenges to see how they align with your team vision and mission.

3 Check their communication and collaboration skills

The third step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to check their communication and collaboration skills. You need to make sure that they can communicate clearly, effectively, and respectfully with you and your team members, using various channels and formats. You also need to make sure that they can collaborate well with others, share feedback, ask for help, and contribute to the team's success. You can use online tools, such as chat, video conferencing, or project management software, to check their communication and collaboration skills. You can also ask them to participate in a group discussion or a team activity to see how they interact with others.

4 Test their self-management and productivity skills

The fourth step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to test their self-management and productivity skills. You need to make sure that they can work independently, manage their time, prioritize their tasks, and meet their deadlines, without constant supervision or micromanagement. You also need to make sure that they can maintain a healthy work-life balance, avoid distractions, and cope with stress and isolation. You can use online tools, such as time tracking, goal setting, or feedback systems, to test their self-management and productivity skills. You can also ask them to share their daily routine, work environment, and challenges to see how they organize and optimize their work.

5 Review their portfolio and testimonials

The fifth step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to review their portfolio and testimonials. You need to make sure that they have a proven track record of delivering high-quality work, meeting client expectations, and solving problems creatively. You also need to make sure that they have a positive reputation, good reviews, and satisfied customers. You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Upwork, or Fiverr, to review their portfolio and testimonials. You can also ask them to provide references, case studies, or success stories to see how they showcase their work.

6 Trust your intuition and feedback

The sixth and final step to identify the best remote workers for your team is to trust your intuition and feedback. You need to make sure that you have a good rapport, connection, and trust with the candidates, as well as a clear and mutual understanding of the role, expectations, and outcomes. You also need to make sure that you have received positive and constructive feedback from your team members, peers, or managers, who have interacted with the candidates. You can use online tools, such as surveys, polls, or ratings, to collect and analyze feedback. You can also ask yourself and your team some questions, such as: Do you enjoy working with them? Do they fit your team culture and values? Do they add value to your team and project?

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?