A 2019 survey found out that 35% of American workers are freelancers. Employers are now embracing remote working, as the benefits are undeniable. Hiring foreign workers is also one of the best ways to expand your talent pool.
If you’re new to foreign freelancing, looking for workers who will work remotely might sound daunting. After all, getting the right team while still maintaining the legal aspect of foreign hiring can be complex. You can’t afford to hire wrong.
Are you thinking of getting foreign freelancers, but you’re not sure how to go about it? Keep reading to know how to bring in international expertise to your business.
Create a Competitive Job Listing
Define the job description in the most precise way to get the right fit. List the job title, required skills, and educational requirements. Don’t forget to mention that successful applicants will work remotely.
You might also need to be clear on the required tasks and what’s expected of employees. Inform applicants of your company culture and values. You can further point out the expected working hours and if there will be a need for part-time working.
Have sample questions for candidates to answer so that you can establish whether they possess the desired traits. If you need someone specializing in Monteur video, or video editing, make sure you ask the right questions to get the best candidates. With a competitive job listing, it will be easier to do away with candidates who don’t qualify.
Have a Clear Contract
Unlike the traditional work setting, a remote work environment has some complexities that you need to factor in. You’ll need to have a written contract that clears up how to go about engagement with workers. The contract ought to have rules and any conditions in place.
The agreement should further explain all expectations. Have the deadlines, performance levels, and company goals in place. Employees should know what they are getting themselves into before signing the acceptance letter.
You might also want to emphasize workplace autonomy through consistent communication, technical assistance, and regular training. It would also be best to inform your remote workers they can have individual schedules as long as they remain productive and meet deadlines.
Work on Your Communication Styles
If you’re looking for workers internationally, be ready to embrace the communication dynamics. The chances are that the employees will be from different backgrounds. You might have to learn their communication styles and how they perceive the work and collaboration.
Communication with foreign freelancers is a crucial aspect that you can’t afford to ignore in remote working. You’ll need to communicate every morning to highlight the day’s plan and in the evening for reports. The communication with each worker should be in line with their communication style, which will often be influenced by their culture.
To ensure that you hire right, understand your applicants’ language aspects. It will be easier to interview them and be on the same page.
Have a Hiring Team
Employing remote workers can be challenging if you’re the only party involved. With the need to be organized and structured in remote hiring, getting a team would help. You can start by having existing employees as part of the hiring team.
Your in-house team leaders will feel involved, and they will look forward to integrating the freelancers into the company’s operations. Have roles for each of the hiring team members. You can outline the steps to follow throughout the process.
For companies without adequate human resources, an applicant tracking system can still suffice. The system will make it easier to manage and track the entire process. The software will save you from getting overwhelmed, as the process can be time-intensive.
Discover the Applicant’s Motivation
You need to know why an applicant has chosen to be a freelancer instead of the traditional labor market. This question will help you weed out jokers when looking for workers. Some of the motivating factors that employees mention can be detrimental to your business.
Skilled freelancers earn about $28 per hour, which is 70% more than workers in many of the U.S. industries. While the salary is a motivating factor, freelancers who base their motivation on the salary might not be a good fit. You might also want to avoid freelancers who are applying since they don’t have an alternative.
Your best fit should be freelancers looking forward to the flexibility of remote working as they can achieve a work-life balance. Applicants who also feel like they want new challenges can be ideal for the role. With freelancers who have the right motive, you’ll have fewer cases of turnover.
Familiarize Yourself With Rules and Regulations
There are sets of rules and regulations you’ll need to follow when looking for workers from different countries. The federal government has outlined the rules you’ll need to follow in hiring remote teams in other countries. Check them out even before advertising employment opportunities.
If you’re in the U.S., compliance with the IRS is undebatable. The IRS has rules that govern international workers. Research to learn some of the forms you’ll need to fill, and if the terms of engagement are in your best interests.
It is recommendable to work with experts who are familiar with international labor laws. You’ll also need to research more on the tax implications when hiring foreign freelancers. Understanding all the dynamics of employing foreign freelancers will guide you through the hiring process.
Are You Looking for Workers for Your Remote Team?
Getting remote workers can be overwhelming, especially if the freelancers are from different countries. From knowing the right fit to following international hiring rules, the process is incomparable to traditional hiring.
You need to follow the right steps when looking for workers to work as freelancers. Given that you won’t have daily face-to-face interactions, being selective in the hiring stage is key. With the right team, you’ll reap the full benefits of freelance workers.
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