In today’s digital world, remote work is no longer a luxury — it’s a norm for many tech teams. And on paper, it sounds like a dream: access to a global talent pool, reduced overheads, and flexibility for both employer and employee.
But if you’re someone who’s tried hiring for a 100% remote developer position, you already know:
Hiring isn’t hard — hiring the right people is.
The Process: What We Do Before Rolling an Offer
Let’s talk about what goes into our hiring process — not just on the surface, but the real investment behind each candidate.
Whenever we shortlist someone, we schedule a 1-hour conversation. This isn’t just about throwing a few technical questions and checking boxes. We focus on four key areas:
- Getting to know the person — their attitude, mindset, and goals.
- Assessing technical knowledge — beyond syntax, do they solve real-world problems?
- Understanding their expectations — salary, flexibility, learning curve.
- Setting role clarity — what the job actually demands, beyond the job description.
On average, out of every 10 interviews, maybe 2 people clear this stage.
And once we send out the offer letters to those 2 (or sometimes even more), do you know how many actually join?
Statistically, 1 out of 10 people we offer the job to ends up joining.
That’s a 90% drop-off.
The reasons vary — counteroffers, cold feet, last-minute decisions, or sometimes, plain ghosting. And when someone does join, we hope to finally breathe easy. But unfortunately, that’s where the next set of challenges begin.
Remote Work Isn’t Just About Logging In from Anywhere
We assume tech people — especially those who opt for remote work — are naturally disciplined and self-managed.
But that assumption often backfires.
Let me share some very basic expectations we have from our remote team members:
1. Keep Your Chat Status Honest
We’re not asking for minute-by-minute tracking. But if you’re away from your desk — just set your status to “Away.”
Simple courtesy. Massive impact on team coordination.
2. Maintain a Reliable Internet Connection
You don’t need a leased line — just something that supports Zoom calls and pushes code without breaking. If you’re working from a remote location, that’s fine — but plan accordingly.
3. Have a Power Backup
In India (and many other countries), power cuts are still real. Remote work demands minimal disruption. An inverter, even a basic one, solves this.
4. Plan Your Leaves
Remote doesn’t mean random. We expect team members to plan their leaves — align with project timelines and let the team know in advance. We’re flexible — but not psychic.
5. Proactive Communication
If your deliverables are getting delayed, the worst thing you can do is go silent.
Let us know. Most delays are manageable — as long as we know.
None of This Is Rocket Science
Now ask yourself — are any of the above expectations unreasonable?
They’re not. And yet, we’ve seen incredibly smart, talented developers fail on these fronts. Not because they lacked skills — but because they lacked the mindset that remote work demands.
Technical ability is important — we don’t compromise on it. But that’s just half the picture.
What We’re Really Looking For
We’re not just hiring coders. We’re hiring people who:
- Understand accountability without being micromanaged
- Respect others’ time and deadlines
- Communicate clearly — even when things go wrong
- Align with the broader vision of the company
Finding people who can write great code? Easy.
Finding people who can do that and share your vision, responsibility, and work ethic? That’s the hard part.
Final Thoughts
Remote hiring is a two-way street.
Yes, companies need to offer clarity, purpose, and trust.
But remote employees need to bring ownership, discipline, and communication.
Because remote work isn’t a privilege anymore — it’s a responsibility.
And the teams that truly get this right, will be the ones that build the future.