The shift toward remote work has dramatically changed the hiring landscape. As an HR professional, hiring manager, or recruiter, crafting compelling job postings for work-from-home positions is crucial to attracting top talent. About 35% of employees are working in remote settings, so it's vital to create job postings that are specific to remote work. This guide walks you through best practices to ensure that your remote job listing stands out and attracts qualified candidates.
7 best practices for writing work-from-home job postings
Although work-from-home job postings and traditional job postings are similar, the former include details that are unique to virtual work. Let's explore the seven best practices to keep in mind when creating your remote job posting.
Be clear about remote work expectations
Just as you would describe the office environment for an in-person role, set expectations for your work-from-home position. Specify whether the employee person will eventually be brought back to an office or have a hybrid working arrangement. At the very least, you should share how long your workforce has been remote and any plans you have in place to maintain or modify existing arrangements.
This is also a good time to include interview expectations and any location requirements. For example, state whether you plan to conduct in-person interviews, and let candidates know if there are location restrictions, such as living within the same state or region if the position is remote.
Highlight remote-work perks
In addition to being upfront about in-person expectations, it's also good to acknowledge that working from home is a different beast than working in a traditional office environment. However, it's essential to showcase the unique benefits of working remotely for your organization. Go beyond the standard perks and highlight what makes your remote work environment special. For instance, you might offer flexible scheduling options that allow employees to work when they're most productive, or you could provide a home office stipend for purchasing the necessary equipment.
"Go beyond the standard perks and highlight what makes your remote work environment special."
Include technology requirements
Clearly outline the technology and equipment needed for the role. This should include specifics about required hardware, such as a laptop, webcam, and headset. Mention any necessary software and tools, as well as specific security requirements. In addition, clearly state whether your company provides equipment to perform the job. For a remote job posting, these details are vital to candidates' understanding of the tech requirements of the job and what they can expect the company to provide.
Emphasize communication and collaboration skills
Remote work relies on effective communication and collaboration, so it's important to highlight these skills in your work-from-home job postings. Consider skills such as written communication and comfort with video conferencing. Effective collaboration is also a must when working from home, and highlighting aspects of this skill set is important. Here are examples of further skills employers often include in their remote job descriptions:
- Self-discipline
- Time management
- Familiarity with project management tools
- Proficiency with virtual communication tools
- Ability to work independently
- Autonomy
In addition, be sure to illustrate how these skills apply to the specific role and your company's remote work environment.
Describe your company's work culture
Even though a role is remote, it's still important to showcase your company culture. Include details about the remote work atmosphere, what candidates can expect when working with different teams, and how your company organizes virtual communication and collaboration. You can also highlight your company values, mission, and what makes it a great place to work. Other things you might include to give candidates a deeper look inside your organization include:
- Success stories from your remote employees
- Testimonials from current remote team members
- Examples of virtual team-building activities
Details of this kind can help candidates better assess their cultural fit and interest in the role. Plus, showcasing what makes your company a great place to work boosts your chances of attracting the right talent for the job.
Outline performance expectations
Be explicit about how your company will measure performance in a remote setting. For instance, you can include the key performance indicators for the role and how managers track progress and productivity. If remote teams frequently conduct performance reviews, provide some details about this and the tools you use for goal setting and monitoring.
This level of transparency about performance management can attract candidates who thrive in accountable, results-oriented environments. It also sets clear expectations from the start and ensures that new hires know what to expect regarding their performance.
Be specific about the application process
It's important to distinguish the remote application process from in-person practices. Be sure to clearly outline the steps candidates will take in your remote hiring process. For example, include details about what materials applicants should include with their applications, any pre-employment assessments, the number of interviews or phone screenings, and the expected timeline for the entire hiring process. This clearly shows candidates what's required of them and reduces the chance of a misunderstanding during the application process.
Following these best practices can help you create work-from-home job postings that effectively communicate the opportunity and attract top-tier remote talent. Remember to review and update your listings regularly to reflect any changes in your remote work policies or company culture.
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