Remote Archives - Blue Signal Search

How To Create an Inclusive Remote Workplace for People with Disabilities

August 5, 2022 by Lacey Walters

Working remotely can be an accommodating arrangement for many employees, including people with disabilities. With its plethora of benefits, remote work is becoming a top hiring trend for 2022. Many thriving businesses are adopting this change, but are finding that creating an inclusive remote workplace for people with disabilities has its own unique challenges. This may seem daunting, however, the key to creating an inclusive remote workplace is simple. To achieve this goal, companies must provide employees with the freedom and flexibility to design their workspace and schedule in a way that meets their individual needs.

In addition, employers should provide clear expectations and guidelines for remote work, including how to stay connected with colleagues and receive support from their managers. But what additional steps can be taken to make everyone feel included without bias? In this blog, we will take a look at the best strategies for creating an inclusive remote workplace for people with disabilities.

Provide Assistive Technology

People with disabilities shouldn’t have to face additional obstacles when it comes to working remotely. Large personal expenses incurred by paying for their own assistive work equipment can cause unnecessary hurdles. Even with reimbursements, it can take time and headaches to get those expenses approved. Luckily, employers are required to provide assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation.

Common assistive technology includes screen readers, text-to-speech software, and audio captioning (which can be particularly helpful on remote video calls). During the interview process, make sure to discuss with your new employee which assistive technology they may need to thrive in the role. Ensuring your employee has the appropriate technology from the start will set them up for success in their role and help create an inclusive remote workplace.

Ask What They Need For an Inclusive Remote Workplace

Asking employees directly what they want is a way to ensure their needs are met. They are, after all, the best person to tell you what will make work easier for them. This conversation should be proactive; don’t wait for them to tell you that there’s an issue.

Fortunately, a recent report found that 71% of companies are willing to make adjustments for people with disabilities. While there is still room for improvement, it’s a great start. By asking employees what will improve their work environment, you are promoting an inclusive remote workplace. This shows that you value them as an employee and want to see them succeed. As they gain tenure, continue checking; as their role evolves, their needs may as well. Being open to suggestions and establishing regular check-ins will sustain an inclusive remote workplace.

Man sitting at desk in wheelchair using his phone and laptop in an inclusive remote workplace, with a transparent blue background. Text with statistic is overlayed.

Train Managers on How to Best Support Employees

In order to best support employees with disabilities, it is essential that managers receive suitable training on how to accommodate their needs. These trainings should cover a wide range of topics, from how to adapt work tasks to specific impairments, to interacting respectfully with employees who have disabilities. By ensuring that managers are properly prepared to support every member of their team, businesses can create a more inclusive remote workplace and unlock the full potential of their workforce.

Ensure Social Interaction is Accessible

Social interaction plays a huge part in establishing a strong company culture and camaraderie among colleagues, so it’s important that it’s consistent. This doesn’t mean that you all have to meet up every Friday after work but having casual conversation or messaging about your weekend can go a long way in supporting coworker bonding.

Making sure these events are accessible for people with disabilities is the only way to make them equitable and welcoming for all. This isn’t just about physical disabilities either – people with intellectual disabilities may need more regular breaks, for example. Whether it’s establishing virtual happy hours or team building activities, ensuring social interaction is accessible to all is a great way to create an engaged and inclusive remote workforce.

To Sum Up Creating an Inclusive Remote Workplace

Every employee is in a unique position and taking an individual approach will serve you well when creating an inclusive remote workplace. To be successful, make sure to talk to your team members with disabilities about adjustments that will make things more accessible for them. Remember to be open to their suggestions, even if it’s a new approach for you.

Blue Signal’s tenured team of recruiters specializes in diversity, equity, and inclusion recruiting. If you need guidance in creating an inclusive remote workplace, reach out to one of our recruiting professionals today to get started.

About Our Contributor

Dylan Reid is a freelance writer at 6XDMedia who holds a particular interest in employee welfare and has created content for established companies based all around the world. They hold a degree in creative writing and are always eager to expand their knowledge around different subjects.

Personality & Relationship Skills:

1. What’s your favorite part of a sales job/process? Least favorite?

This response will offer key insight when fitting candidates to your exact sales role. For example, if the role you’re looking to fill is 60% cold calling/prospecting and the candidate replies with this being their least favorite – the role most likely isn’t a fit. Often, sales executives will shy away from admitting something they don’t enjoy in fear of not coming across as a team player. There are multiple ways to frame this ask if you don’t think you’re getting a straightforward answer from a candidate. Asking “In your last position, how much time did you spend cultivating customer relationships versus hunting for new clients? Did you enjoy that?” often does the trick.

2. If you asked your manager what your biggest strength and weakness is, what would they say?

Asking sales executives about their strengths and weaknesses may seem like a basic interview task but it’s common for a reason. Framing this from the perspective of their current or previous manager will give you even more insight to their past experiences. This will also shed light on the candidate’s confidence level in those roles. Often, sales executives will dodge the weakness aspect of the question. Don’t take “none” for an answer and try to uncover how they are at “selling” themselves, and how they are at critical thinking/problem-solving.

3. Given these three terms: promotion, money, and recognition; put them in their order of importance.

This question will give insight into what a sales executive values in both their career and in life. As a follow up question, ask them to explain what each of those terms look like to them. Their answers will explain what they’ll be motivated most by and what they’ll use as a benchmark for success. Be sure to leverage the answer if you end up managing them, and you’ll already be ahead of the game.

4. If you had no obstacles and could start your dream job tomorrow, what would that role look like?

This more creative way of asking the tired “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” question will keep an interviewee on their toes. It still allows you to break down their short-term and long-term goals, but also sidesteps the possibility of a candidate providing a manufactured answer. Oftentimes, the 5-year question usually prompts a response that the candidate thinks you want to hear.

Regardless, planning for the future of any employee you decide to hire is important. Thinking in terms of the future benefits not only the sales executive, but the manager and company as a whole as well. When forecasting team strategy, you’ll need to know your sales executives are here for the long haul. To help avoid even higher turnover rates, asking this question weeds out the candidates who aren’t truly passionate about the position, and helps you determine whether or not you’d be able to offer them their dream job, either now or in the future.

5. Tell me about a time when you collaborated with other sales team members and those outside of the sales team.

This answer will be key when deciding if they’re a team player or a lone ranger in the field. If one or the other is important to the role, the response can be extremely useful. In most sales roles, relationship building and collaboration skills are essential, so don’t be shy with follow up questions if you need more information! Asking “What impact were you able to make or what goals did you achieve?” can lead to further insights. Again, this will depend on the exact position the interview is related to. If the role will have a high amount of internal collaboration with a team – focus on that, and vice versa.

Ideal Work Environment Insights:

6. What type of work environment do you thrive in?

This question and answer often gets overlooked but can be one of the most detrimental if discovered post-hire. In order for a sales executive to thrive in any position, the environment and culture around them needs to be a fit. Take the candidate’s response and compare their preference to the environment they will be in at your company. Does it seem like a match? If you don’t value the same things here, turnover can be expected and moving forward with the hiring process wouldn’t make sense.

Another thing to consider is that all 2022 hiring trends point to the remote and hybrid workforce continuing to grow. Experts predict that by 2025, roughly 36.2 million employees in the US will work remotely. If the role you’re hiring for permits, be sure to ask candidates key questions surrounding their remote working experience. Ask if they thrive most in a remote, hybrid, or in-office work setting. From there, you should be able to gauge if they require consistent team interaction to succeed, or if they are sufficient working independently majority of the time.

7. Have you ever had a manager you didn’t like? Why?

Management styles can alter the success of a hire in the same way as a work environment. Dive deep into the candidate’s ideal management style and compare it to your own. Can you see yourself working closely with this candidate? Do they seem eager to learn from you and willing to take direction? These are all good follow-up questions to ask yourself after reflecting on their answer.

Also, be sure to note how they portrayed their past experiences. Did they bad-mouth their previous manager, or did they offer facts and expand on the lesson they learned from their experience? Venting and talking negatively about a past role or leader can be a sign of arrogance and lead to a toxic relationship down the road.

8. Which sales metrics do you pay attention to and why?

In sales, personal drive is essential. Asking what metrics they specifically look at when determining success for themselves will give great insight into how they operate. Are they motivated by the same things you use to track success and promotions? If not, it may be hard for the sales executive to feel fulfilled and experience growth in the role.

Ability to Remain Resilient:

9. What do you do to regroup and recover when you have a bad day? Bad week? Bad month?

Sales requires a lot of resilience and the ability to deal with rejection frequently. Asking if sales executives have an established coping mechanism will be telling in how dedicated they are to succeeding in their role. You’ll also be able to reflect on how much experience they’re bringing to the table. This is especially important if the role you’re hiring for will require a lot of cold-calling. Have the sales executive provide personal examples of this experience, which will shed light on how they’ve succeeded in previous roles.

10. How do you motivate yourself?

Along with overcoming rejection, sales roles typically require a good amount of self-motivation. Similar to the previous question, asking how a candidate motivates themselves will highlight their work ethic. An ideal sales executive will have a detailed answer based on past experiences.

11. Describe a time when you had a difficult prospect but were able to persevere and win the sale.

Ideally, the last two questions will lead into a version of this question naturally - but if not, it’s a good one to follow up with. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics! Some sales executives are pros at misdirection. Candidates who give vague, wordy answers should be a red flag. By asking for a specific time when candidates managed a difficult prospect, and how the situation played out, you’ll be able to gather the details you need to trust their skills. An ideal sales executive will offer insight on lessons they learned and will be able to explain how they applied that knowledge to future situations – preferably without having to be asked. This highlights strong customer service and interpersonal skills that are essential in any good sales executive.

Sales Executive Expertise & Other Skills:

12. Explain the steps you take from the beginning of the sales process to the end.

Look for detailed answers here that point to their confidence and industry expertise. See which tasks will be similar to the role you’re hiring for. Make note of what will need to be retrained and what will be a breeze for them to pick up when it comes to transitioning into your company’s processes.

13. Pitch me our company’s product/service.

This question is a spin on the classic “sell me something” concept and shows how much knowledge the candidate already has. The biggest underlying insight you’ll gain from this question is the amount of research they did to prepare for this interview with your company. A sales executive with a firm understanding of what the company does and the products and services they provide will ultimately be a dedicated addition to the team. Those who did their homework should be noted, as it directly reflects one’s work ethic and initiative.

14. What’s your proudest sales accomplishment?

This question leads to insights into the candidate’s skill level, confidence, and how large or small of sales they are used to closing. This will also point to their passion for the industry. From their response, you should be able to tell what gets them excited about sales.

15. Have you used CRM software before? If so, which one and how advanced are your skills?

This may seem like a basic, technical question but it allows for major bonus points if the candidate will be able to breeze through learning software during training. Even if the candidate hasn’t worked hands-on with the exact software you use, you can ask them if they’re familiar or have heard of it as follow-up questions. Even a little bit of familiarity and knowledge is better than starting from scratch!

16. How do you stay knowledgeable about your target audience?

A dedicated and passionate sales executive will take the initiative to stay up to date on their industry’s trends and updates. Ask what specific resources they leverage or how often they review industry news. Watch for vague answers here, this is one candidates may try to talk themselves into a circle about if they don’t have a solid answer. Bonus points if they can tell you a bit of recent news they’ve heard with specifics on how they are planning to implement it into their process.

Company Culture Fit:

17. Why did you apply for this position?

This question is a great way to uncover why they’re looking to leave or why they left their current role. Be sure to take notes on how they talk about their previous or current company. As mentioned earlier, bad-mouthing of any kind should be a red flag. This question will also give insights into what drew them to your company specifically. If the vision that was portrayed to the candidate doesn’t fit what you want it to, this then gives you insight on how to better market yourself as an employer.

18. Are you ready to jump on a sales call right now?

In other words, this question asks, “Did you do any research on our company and product offerings?” This will show either a strong work ethic and desire for the role, or a lack of ambition. If you like the answer you receive, another great follow-up could be “If you were to start the job tomorrow, what would you be doing tonight to prepare?” Again, this will shine a light on their motivation and drive to succeed in this role.

19. Why do you want to work here/sell our product/service?

It’s no secret that an employee who is passionate and invested in the company they’re working for will out preform those who aren’t. Gallup's report on employee engagement shows that companies with a highly engaged workforce have 21% higher profitability. This question allows sales executives to open up about what they find intriguing about the role and overall company. Play close attention to see if any buzzwords from your company’s core values show up in their response. Finding candidates that have similar values to what your company is striving for is an excellent bonus.

20. How do you think our company can improve?

Loyalty plays a big role in employee retention. If you can decide which candidates already have initial loyalty to your brand, that’s a big plus! By asking what the company can do to improve, you’re really asking “How much do you care about the company succeeding?” This is a good question to watch for some common red flags as well. Often, you’ll be able to notice if the candidate is the type to tell you what you want to hear, or if they are critical thinkers. Those that answer honestly and critically are more likely to work through challenges to help better the company.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, not all sales roles are created equal. Leverage these interview questions as an outline but be sure to adjust to fit each role’s specific needs. While it’s very important to prepare and have a roadmap for leading the interview, don’t be afraid to get creative and be ready to pivot with follow-up questions based on candidate’s answers.

Once you’ve ran through all the questions you prepared, a great way to wrap up the interview process is by opening up the floor to them to ask you questions. Sales executives who ask questions show they are inquisitive about the role and company culture – which means they are trying to picture themselves there. Declining to ask any further questions is a tell that they may have bad communication skills and may be afraid to ask for what they want – not a skill you want in a strong sales executive. In this sense, be prepared to answer some questions of your own! 67% of employed Americans say that job interviews influence their decision to accept a job – so be sure to portray your enthusiasm for the role, company, product, and/or service offered. LinkedIn reported that the most important considerations in accepting new jobs are compensation (49%), professional development (33%), and better work/life balance (29%). Make it a point to touch on these key points to get sales executives excited about joining the team.

When preparing for the undertaking of hiring new staff, remember that Blue Signal can help alleviate the stress. As experts in the hiring process, our recruiters can help not only coach you through the interviews, but help with sourcing candidates, scheduling interviews, negotiating hiring terms, and so much more. Contact us today to get matched with a specialist in your industry!

Become a Dominant Hybrid Workforce by Leveraging Your Recruiter

October 27, 2021 by Lacey Walters

In this digital age, many companies are turning to virtual recruiting to help supplement an increasingly remote and hybrid workforce. Several top companies have started the switch, recognizably Ford, Citigroup, Microsoft, and Spotify. With the pandemic driving an immediate need, we’ve accelerated global digitization on a large scale. However, it’s leading many in management to question how going remote will affect productivity, profitability, and their workforce.

When it comes to employees’ wants, the message is clear. According to Dice’s 2021 Technologist Sentiment Survey, 59% of respondents preferred full-time remote work or some combination of in-office and remote work. Dice theorizes that the events of 2020 have given several professionals a new outlook on remote work, and in turn they have come to expect more flexibility from employers. Furthermore, Dice estimates that 149M new technology jobs will join the market by 2025 to support this digital shift. So how can companies make the switch to a hybrid workforce - especially among a market with such exponential growing need? That’s where virtual recruiting can help.

Dominant Hybrid Workforce - Employees Expect Flexibility

Choosing a Hybrid or Remote Workforce - What Recruiters Can Tell You

As a Hiring Authority

Several studies have proven that employing a hybrid workforce has had a positive impact on productivity, as well as significant money savings. From a hiring perspective, the greatest benefit of all comes from hybrid workforce models opening up the candidate pool to independent talent. By widening your search parameters and allowing people to telecommute, you can tap into a candidate pool that would have been inaccessible otherwise - whether that’s due to geography or time commitment constraints.

We know what you’re thinking - managing a remote workforce during 2020 was nothing short of an immense challenge - why would we go back to that? Contrary to popular belief, most of the struggles workers experienced during pandemic-era remote work aren’t a hindrance to actual remote work. For instance, with children going back to in-person learning settings, professionals no longer need to balance work with childcare during their normal 9 to 5. Not to mention, in this increasingly competitive marketplace, allowing hybrid work could be the key to better retention. In the talent acquisition industry we know that it’s not the setting that makes or breaks a good employee - it’s the employee themselves, and their drive to succeed. Those who do remote work right can do it well.

As an Employee

Hybrid work models offer a plethora of benefits for workers, when the job permits. Several noteworthy pros include and better work/life balance. But if you were to ask a recruiter, they’d tell you that the most important benefit remote work gives you is location independence. Where would you live if you could take your work with you? The possibilities are only limited by the reach of your Wi-Fi! Simply put, negotiating hybrid or remote work options into your employment contract can give you more freedom in how and where you spend your time, and a recruiter can help support you on that journey.

Building Your New Talent Brand as a Hybrid Employer

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and allow hybrid work, your next step should be toward solidifying your employer brand as a hybrid workforce. In order to attract the digitally savvy candidates you are looking for, you’ll have to meet them where they’re at. Focus your online presence on attracting candidates, especially those Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen Z professionals. Hybrid work models appeal greatly to the next economy-leading generations, which works out well considering they are the ones who were raised in the digital age. Leverage your recruiters to help you navigate this market. As talent specialists, we have the insider knowledge needed to hack into that hybrid-seeking candidate pool.

Dominant Hybrid Workforce - Things to Consider

Things to Consider When Supporting a Hybrid Workforce

New Hiring Processes

Just as with many areas of work changing to accommodate this digital shift, hiring is following suit. Make sure you are prepared to tackle this new process before beginning your talent searches. Do you have the right tools to recruit remotely? What are your new interview timeframes, when you counter in a mix of in-person and virtual interviews? Are you prepared to negotiate remote work structures when you make an employment offer?

Candidates are ready to ask for what they want when it comes to hybrid working. Your business needs to have offer letter structures in place that reflect what you need from which roles when it comes to hybrid work, such as: how often someone is required to be in office, what their working hours should be when working from home, and what the expectation is when it comes to completing various projects associated with the role. Your needs can vary in flexibility given the scope of the role you hire. Leverage your recruiter to ensure none of these details slip through the cracks, and make expectations clear from the onset.

New Onboarding Processes

Establish what your onboarding process will look like for new hybrid hires. Will initial training be in person? What will you provide for their remote office workspace, and what will they need to provide on their own? What kind of support can you give employees when they’re working remotely, such as IT, mentorship, HR contacts, etc.? It may be hard to visualize what you need ahead of time, but ask your recruiter for what practices would best fit your work model.

New Remote Company Culture

When allowing employees to work from home, it’s easy to forget that you are quite literally entering a new part of their lives. Even with virtual backgrounds and pre-scheduled meetings, you’ll be immersed in their home lives by “meeting” them in their own living rooms. This doesn’t need to change the professional dynamic of your reporting relationship, but it’s important to remember when building out this new remote company culture.

Even when working in-person, it’s a simple fact that most full-time professionals may be spending more time with their coworkers than they do with their own spouses and kids. Now, that same time is spent virtually! Therefore, it’s important to be real with your workforce in this setting and maintain that same bond that you would in person, over the computer or phone. Create an atmosphere of mutual respect that acknowledges the reality of working from home, and trust that they’re on task even when you can’t knock on their office door to check in. For more best practices on keeping a remote workforce actively engaged, ask your recruiter.

Fine-Tuning Remote Business Processes

Make sure to leverage opportunity when it’s presented to you. For instance, your newly hybrid workforce may be available to customers in different time zones, expanding the hours in which you’re accessible. Processes that were once manual may be able to be digitized, like submitting reports or internal communications.

Your recruiter can confirm, a hybrid workforce can come with some unforeseen advantages. However, knowing ahead of time what can and cannot be digitized will help you determine how often you need your employees in the office or remote. According to the Dice 2021 Technologist Sentiment Report, more than half of respondents indicated a preference for full-time remote work or a combination of in-office/remote work, while just 17% indicated they would prefer to work in an office 100% of the time. In Dice’s Q4 2020 Salary Survey, participants said they desired 2-3 days in-office per week - thus confirming that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating remote workforce plans. Consult with your recruiter on what best aligns the market’s wants with what you’re willing to offer potential employees.

How a Recruiter Can Help Build Your Hybrid Workforce

In the age of digital recruiting, there are several recruiters out there who specialize in procuring and supporting remote workers. Do your research and pick a hybrid workforce recruiter that you can partner with on your quest to dominate your new working model. A good recruiter will be able to coach you through the virtual hiring and onboarding process, a great recruiter will be able to take the hybrid interviewing off your hands. They will know how to best access the hybrid talent pool, and will provide search services catered to your unique search. Once you’ve found who you want to hire, your recruiter can impart best practices for an awesome, flexible office culture.

The world of employment is changing, and employers will need to adapt to remain competitive. Make sure to choose a plan that’s best for you by hiring a hybrid workforce recruiter that can deliver your hiring goals. As specialists in this space, Blue Signal can give you this and more on your way to becoming a dominant hybrid workforce.

How To: Negotiate a Flexible Schedule During a Job Interview

October 6, 2021 by Aylish DeVore

Updated research shows that 55% of global businesses offer some capacity for remote work. Since the pandemic, workers have been redefining work/life balance and targeting opportunities with a flexible schedule. It has now become extremely important for companies to loosen the reins on what a typical employee’s work schedule and location look like.

Remote work, hybrid schedules, increased and/or more relaxed PTO options, and unconventional working hours are just a few types of common flexible schedules job seekers are looking for in today’s job market. It’s critical for employers to cater to these common requests and present job opportunities as negotiable when it comes to a flexible schedule. Doing so will also grab the attention of those passive candidates who currently have an ideal flexible schedule, and aren’t looking elsewhere for fear of not having that same flexibility in a new role. For those looking to make a career move but will require an atypical schedule or work environment, we’ve laid out a few ground rules on how to tackle the discussion with your hiring manager. Read on for tips on how to sway the conversation in the right direction and negotiate a flexible schedule during the interview process.

Make a Plan:

The first step in the process is to map out a detailed plan to present to the company and/or hiring manager you’re interviewing with. Start by reflecting on your personal must-haves and differentiating between your nice-to-haves when it comes to the flexible schedule you want. Next, clearly map out how this flexible schedule would work logistically. Be prepared with an answer for all common situations or questions that may arise. When building your case, make sure to gather personal data and specific experiences to share. These will give real-life examples of how and why you’d be successful in this type of flexible schedule. Also, be sure to ask yourself if what you’re proposing makes or breaks whether you accept the role. If a flexible schedule is a “nice-to-have,” be sure you aren’t presenting it as an ultimatum. When drawing up your plan, be sure to compare your request to the insight you gather through past interview discussions. Then prepare for questions/concerns based on those findings.

Prepare to Compromise:

After you process what terms in your work schedule and expectations are must-haves and what are nice-to-haves, start preparing to compromise. In most negotiations, the end result will tend to include some sort of halfway point between both parties. Prepare for what you’re willing to give up so you don’t end up agreeing to terms you aren’t happy with. Though you’ll be hoping your ideal flexible schedule can be achieved, go into the conversation with a few revisions to the proposal in your back pocket. We suggest preparing at least two alternative options to present. These will be useful in case the initial ask is too far off from the company's standard routine/comfort zone. If the employer is skeptical, a great compromise strategy is to suggest an initial trial period. This helps set both parties at ease. It gives you the opportunity to prove your ability by showing how successful you can be working a flexible schedule. With this deal, the employer won’t feel any pressure to commit to a permanent change.

Assess the Situation

Your next step in preparation should be to assess the situation and evaluate who you're negotiating with. Does the company you’re applying for embrace forward-thinking principles that align with a flexible schedule? Or do they encourage the traditional 9 to 5 work schedule? When the floor opens up for you to ask questions, take advantage of diving deeper into this topic. Present strategic questions to be answered that will give you further insight into their working culture and outlook. Questions surrounding what the typical working day looks like, whether you will be given portable equipment/computer, if you’ll be required to access emails outside of the office, as well as what it’s like interacting with team members and cross-functional departments. These questions usually lead to insightful responses from the interviewer that you can dissect.

Another topic that will help you gain further insight is asking about COVID-19 protocol. See how the company handled moving to a remote or flexible schedule. Ask how this may have changed their outlook on work, and the success it may have had for some departments. In most cases, the hiring manager’s facial expressions, tone, and body language will tell the whole story.

Present the Discussion:

Be absolutely sure to only present or mention the discussion around a flexible schedule after you receive an offer letter. This will ensure there is no animosity or negative inclinations when the employer is making their final hiring decision. When presenting your case, clearly map out what the options would look like. Ensure you're communicating your ask in a confident and positive way. Touch on how this flexible schedule will benefit them as an employer and as a company. This will help shift the focus from your personal needs.

As mentioned before, this is the time to use tangible data. Prove how you’ll be successful in an unconventional working environment. With any negotiation, remember to stay practical, not emotional. Leave your ego at the door. Don’t let pushback or skepticism throw your confidence. Keep a level head throughout the discussion and continue working toward a result you’ll both be happy with. In closing, reassure your continued commitment to the company. Share your appreciation for the job offer, and excitement to be successful in the role. Afterward, consider sending a thank you note!

Confirm the Consensus in Writing:

Though we’re sure companies will have the best intentions in mind, it is always important to get the discussion result in writing. You never know what kind of communication can get caught behind the scenes. It’s always best to cover your bases. A great way to do this is to kindly ask them to update the offer letter. Have them include the flexible schedule agreement you came to in your discussion. This protects both you and the company as it will include terms and conditions like initial trial periods and timelines. This will set expectations for progress reports down the line to discuss how it is going. This means no one will be caught off guard when the follow-up discussion is presented. Your manager will also stay diligent in monitoring how your flexible schedule is working throughout that trial time.

The typical working environment of 9 to 5 in the office is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Though it is still possible for a company to reject the idea of working remotely or offering flexible hours. Be prepared for this outcome and, if it happens, don’t get discouraged. This is why mapping out your must-haves early on in the process is important. This will help everyone come to a decision that they’ll be confident in long term. If you’re unable to reach an agreement and a flexible schedule is on your must-have list, it’s most likely not a great fit overall. In the end, the most important thing is to trust your gut. Understand your needs when it comes to choosing your next employer. As always, reach out to Blue Signal for any further guidance on how to facilitate conversations with hiring managers and negotiate terms that are beneficial to both yourself and a potential employer.

6 Ways to Attract Remote Workers

September 22, 2021 by Lacey Walters

COVID-19 has forever changed the workplace in addition to how, when, and where people work. Companies have come to the realization that remote work is not just smart, strategic, and sustainable, but it improves their bottom line and provides benefits to their overall staff.

Before the pandemic, only 5.2% of the U.S. workforce worked from home full time. Today 58% are working remotely. According to a recent FlexJobs survey, 65% of 2,000 pandemic remote workers would prefer to stay fully remote after the pandemic, and 58% say they would “absolutely” look for a new job if they weren’t allowed to continue working remotely in their current position.

Having a significant number of “work from anywhere” employees brings new challenges for benefits design and administration. In addition to traditional benefits, like health insurance and vacation time, remote workers and job hunters seeking remote work opportunities are adding items to their checklist of qualities they’re looking for in a new job. If you plan on hiring remote workers for your team, follow these 6 tips to attract new talent.

1. Set Clear Guidelines About Working Hours

Since remote workers don’t necessarily have to be living near a home office location, businesses can hire candidates from different time zones. This is great for sourcing talent outside of the local pool of candidates. However, that does open the door to another set of problems, specifically ensuring coverage during hours of operation. Managers may find candidates that have a flexible schedule and can wake up early or stay up late in other time zones to meet with a team located somewhere else, but this might not always be the case.

For organizations to stay competitive, leaders need to partner with their Human Resources teams to establish a clear set of rules regarding when people can and should be working online. It’s not just for employees based in different time zones, flexible working hours are also becoming relevant for job hunters. They want to be able to pick up their kids from school or make appointments during the day. Organizing clear expectations surrounding flex time can help companies attract the best talent.

2. Continuously Review Compensation Plans

Compensation, pay, earnings, they’re all the same thing: money. People still need to make a good wage in order to survive. With prices rising on everyday items, as well as housing and food, pay is something all job hunters are watching. Properly compensated employees are key to a company’s success.

Although there are many factors that go into how employees are paid, businesses that take pay away from employees are often tossed into the people’s court of opinion. For instance, DoorDash received negative press after the company took tips away from their delivery drivers. Google also received backlash after cutting pay for their remote workers.

In order to avoid risking an organization’s reputation by shortchanging employees, companies need to review their compensation plans periodically to ensure that they meet the standards of the current economic climate. As many states raise the minimum wage, remote workers are able to determine the level of pay they should receive for their work.

3. Invest in the Technology That Employees Need

Aside from proper pay, candidates need the right tools to do their work. Individuals shouldn’t be expected to outfit themselves with the technology they need to do their job, so companies need to keep the cost of technology in mind when they establish a budget for their remote workers.

If in-office staff need two monitors for doing their work, then remote workers should be offered this option as well. If an individual needs a Wi-Fi booster in their home, that’s something else offices would normally provide for in-person workers, and need to provide for remotes as well. There is a baseline that managers can set for what will and will not be provided to their employees. This should be established by management so that everyone is held accountable.

For remote workers, there needs to be a technology support system. Leaving them high and dry with a broken device can lead not only to frustration but possible turnover. A job seeker may ask a hiring team about their technology support for remote work in an interview, and having prepared answers will help give that person an understanding of what they can expect from the role.

Infographic containing a list of 6 ways to attract remote workers

4. Treat Everyone as Individuals

In today’s climate, job seekers are digging deeper and looking beyond pay, technology, and schedules when it comes to making a career move. They want to know how they’ll be treated as an individual. It can be easy in a remote setting to group everyone together in endless meetings and not touch base with people for one-on-one sessions. However, this can cause problems for both employers and employees.

Each person on the team has a unique set of expectations, concerns, and experiences. At the same time, each person has their own way of doing things and interacting with other team members. Managers need to consider that much like a traditional office setting, remote teams need to have individual sessions to get people’s perspectives. This isn’t just for performance conversations or project check-ins; this can also be a way for leadership to gauge how effective they are supporting their teams and discover what the company can be doing better for employees. After all, individuals are what really power successful businesses – and we should treat them as such.

5. Consider Different Levels of Stability

Everyone has their own unique work style and a preference in regard to how much they want to work. Some employees thrive working multiple jobs, while others prefer to work a single, steady nine-to-five. Companies need to think about how their current job openings can meet the standards of different types of remote workers. As flexibility and freedom become more important to new hires, businesses need to rethink their job descriptions.

Perhaps it’s breaking one position into a few that can be outsourced to freelancers. Maybe it’s combining two different part-time jobs into one for a full-time position. Workers are being more thoughtful in their approach to returning to work, so investigating open slots to find these opportunities before making new hires will help companies operate more efficiently in the long run. Recall that these openings are meant for remote workers so consider those unique requirements as well for attracting the best person for the position.

6. Create an Interactive Business Culture

All work and no play doesn’t make the job any fun, and that’s something worth considering when hiring remote employees. How will you build a culture around people who are located around the globe? Will you video conference with everyone daily? Are people going to have to report to the office once a month?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help organizations build a collaborative and fun virtual work environment. When potential candidates are reviewing a business, they want to know the values of it, and how everyone interacts with one another. While it is quite different pulling off culture in a completely digital world, there are many ways to succeed in doing so. Whether it’s an in-person event or a slated video conference every month, take time to relax with your team rather than talk shop.

Much like businesses would’ve hosted in-office events like holiday parties or other celebrations, leaders need to think about translating this into the virtual world. Virtual events build comradery within a team and give the opportunity for people who don’t normally interact with one another the chance to do so. New hires rely on these events in order to network and feel part of the company. When hosting these types of events, photograph them to showcase on social media and other channels, so job seekers can see an insider’s view too.

Job seekers are looking for many things when searching for a new position. But as remote workers, companies need to get creative and strategic with their offerings in order to stand out. By following the six ideas mentioned above, organizations can successfully pull in the best talent possible for their teams, and more effectively retain their remote workers. If you need additional help recruiting top remote talent, reach out to Blue Signal today.

About Our Contributor, Sara Carter:

Sara is the co-founder of Enlightened Digital, entrepreneur, and Bostonian. She spends her days writing code, chasing her children and/or dog, and perfecting her brownie recipe.

About Enlightened Digital:

Enlightened Digital is a digital magazine dedicated to the top tech and business news, updates, and analyses from around the web. Their aim is also to explore how these changes affect business growth and professional development for women. They believe that delivering objective facts and figures on the newest releases and events in the tech world no longer suffices to keep consumers informed. As new technology and updates hurl businesses faster and faster into a future that seems less predictable, Enlightened Digital will try to make sense of not only what is happening, but why, and how it impacts our lives.

Guide to Working from Home with Roommates, Spouse, Kids, or Parents

August 27, 2020 by Aylish DeVore

For many companies that made the switch back in March, working from home is becoming the new normal with over half of Americans going remote. This change - which in the beginning seemed only temporary - is now a much more permanent solution for many businesses nationwide. Since these companies have already implemented so many new technologies and processes to collaborate as a team remotely, they’re realizing they can save money on office and real estate costs while still supporting a high-functioning staff. According to Global Workplace Analytics, employers can save up to $11,000 a year for each employee who works remotely even half the time.

Being able to work from home can be a great perk as far as cutting out your daily commute and knocking out chores around the house on your lunch break. On the other hand, it also means that your spouse, children, and roommates now become your new co-workers who can often be much more distracting. This can be difficult to navigate as you work out a plan and get used to spending a lot more time together. To help you find your new normal, here are some helpful tips and tricks to co-habitating and co-working with all members of your household.

Working from Home with Roommates Graphic

Set Realistic Expectations

With such a big shift in your routine, there are bound to be some kinks that will take time to iron out, and that’s ok! Be upfront and set expectations with not only your housemates, but more importantly your coworkers. Everyone’s situation is anything but normal at the moment and there is no reason you should pretend it is. Whether you have kids being kids, or a roommate with a noisy call center job, it’s important to accept that things might not be 100% professional 100% of the time.

Start a conference call or zoom meeting by explaining your situation; “My kids are playing in the other room and might need my brief attention throughout the call” or “My husband’s on a call in the other room if you hear any background noise.” This sets the tone of understanding from the beginning so if anything does come up, everyone is prepared. Being open and honest about how you’re managing distractions can also be reassuring to your fellow coworkers who may be feeling overwhelmed, and show that they’re not in it alone.

Create Office Hours and Respect Them

Now that there’s no need to worry about commuting in morning traffic, you have the luxury to sleep in later and take your time getting to your desk. That being said, this can make it more difficult to get into a working state of mind and mentally ready for the day. A helpful tip is to wake up a little earlier and get something productive done before you even sit down at your desk. Something simple like unloading the dishwasher, journaling, or getting in a quick workout can wake you up and tell your brain you’re going to have a productive day.

When it comes to multiple people working different jobs under the same roof, getting on a similar schedule can help everyone stay productive and keep the peace. It’s important to set strict start/stop times and communicate those clearly to everyone. This helps to avoid any misunderstandings between significant others, kids, or roommates about when the house needs to function as a working office.

A good tip to communicate this to children is by using visuals to act as a constant reminder that you’re “on the clock”. Put up a gate or hang a sign on the door that requires them to stop and think if it's necessary to interrupt. This can actually be helpful for roommates too as no matter the age, sometimes people need a subtle reminder!

Communicate Your Schedule

Communicating not only your start/stop times but also specific events throughout your day can make the co-working process much more seamless. Take the time to create a shared calendar or plan weekly chats about important meetings, calls, deadlines, etc. you have coming up. Shared calendars are a great tool as you can color code events based on what you need from your roommates. Note events where it is crucial that the room be silent with no interruptions, and video meetings to ensure no one gets caught on camera unexpectedly. This way, each of you can plan your schedules accordingly.

For example, if you know your spouse has a video call late in the morning and needs a quiet room, you could maybe plan to take your lunch a little early that day to create a more relaxed environment. This is a great way to show you’re willing to be flexible and most likely they’ll return the favor for your next big meeting.

Define your Space

Small spaces can mean short tempers. We understand this is often unavoidable, but you can still find ways to define what’s yours and what you’re willing to share. Setting boundaries on things like office equipment may seem slightly petty at first, but when you’re scrambling to get a deadline turned in and your laptop charger is nowhere to be found, tension is bound to boil over. Clearly keep your things separated and in a safe place so you always know where to reach for them.

When it comes to finding your space, get creative while searching for quiet places to work and clear your head. Your car can act as another private room with a door that locks, for short term calls/meetings that you can’t be interrupted during. Taking a walk outside with fresh air can also be helpful when looking to relax or invigorate a new perspective on a project. It’s also a great way to take a call without others listening in from the next room.

When sharing communal spaces, make a plan about where you’re each going to work and when. Maybe one of you gets the living room/dining table to check emails while sipping coffee in peace in the morning and the other gets the space after lunch, or switch off days of the week. There is always some common ground to be found but it’s up to you and your housemates to communicate and work together to find it.

When it comes to working from home with kids, roommates or significant others, it’s important to accept that things aren’t going to be seamless and easy going from the start. Finding what will work for both of you is all about compromise and adjusting. If you decide on things to be one way and you find it’s not working, communicate and try something else! It’s going to take some time to settle into your new routines, but you will.

While navigating all aspects of your new normal, make sure to take the time to regularly check-in on your roommates and family as WFH can often cause some added stress. A simple check-in or a night set aside to enjoy each other and do something out of the ordinary is a great way to boost everyone's mood and create a better work/life balance within your home turned office.

Whether your situation is temporary or going to be a permanent schedule moving forward, being productive at home is achievable! Enjoy the added perks and give yourself and your housemates time to settle into these new roles.