The complete checklist for hiring remote developers

Remote developers are becoming a crucial part of the workforce. Hiring software developers from around the world opens the job market and the opportunities to build the tech team of your dreams. One of the things that looks a little different with a remote team is onboarding. Here is the complete developer onboarding checklist. 

Pre-Onboarding

Pre-onboarding is the period of time after your developer has accepted the job, and before they have officially started as an employee. This is an opportune time to get everything organized so when your developer begins their job, everything goes smoothly. Here are some things to keep in mind during pre-onboarding:

Paperwork

Paperwork such as employee contracts and any global paperwork that needs to be done can be completed during this time, so administrative work does not delay the start of your developer’s employment. 

Software

Make sure your developer has the correct software needed for the role. Add them to groups, provide them access for the platforms they will be using, create their company email account, and so on. Lay the groundwork so when their first day comes along, they can hit the ground running.

Tutorials and Introductions

You can also get a jump on exposing your developer to company culture, so they are aware of what they are entering. Create video tutorials and introductions that they can watch at their leisure leading up to employment.

Onboarding

Onboarding begins as identified by their employment contract. If your developers were in a physical office space, onboarding would include a tour of the space, setting up their desk, and including them in team meetings in the board room. Although onboarding looks a little different online, the sentiment remains: you are getting your new developer acquainted with their role and team, and you are setting them up for success. Let’s go through everything to keep in mind while onboarding software engineers.

Personalized Welcome Package

Remote work often translates into loneliness and isolation, but only if leadership allows that to happen. Set the tone with onboarding – you value your employees, and you view them as being more than just a number. A personalized welcome package would go a long way for your new remote developer. This package can include company merchandise such as a mug, t-shirt, tote bag, anything else to make your developer feel part of the team. The welcome package can also include a company computer, and any remaining access codes and software. And, the addition of a handwritten note will go a long way.

Assign an Onboarding Buddy

During your developer’s first few months, they will probably have many questions. And they should! Establishing an environment where all team members feel comfortable opening communication and asking questions is essential in building trust with your new developer. During this time, an onboarding buddy is an important element. They can field questions, check up on the new developer, guide them through their first few projects, and help them integrate into company culture. And, being online, having a point of contact will help build a community for your new developer.

Explain Company Culture

Make sure your new remote developer understands company culture and policies. Culture is about other people and how they work, whether there are social get-togethers (in person or remote) that they can attend or whether people have channels for casual conversation. Culture also includes remote work schedules, how people choose to communicate on work matters, and how the team gets work done. The onboarding buddy will be an essential piece in explaining company culture, but leadership must take the lead here and help the new developer assimilate and bring their own personality to the culture.

Set Expectations

In addition to explaining company culture, it is important to clearly set expectations for your new developer. Culture and expectations can be explained through video or other digital materials, they can also be reviewed in introductory meetings. When a developer knows what is expected from them within their first week, first month, and first three months, they can get to work right away. They will have fewer questions and they will kick off their new position with a sense of purpose. 

Set Up Tools for Communication

Communication is always the key to a harmonious team. And every team communicates in unique ways. Set up those channels for your new developer and give them the rundown on what channel to use when. Set the expectations of open and transparent communication, during onboarding and beyond.

Assign the First Task

The last element of a successful onboarding period is getting your developer set on a first project! Many people can only listen to so many instructions and guidelines; the real way people learn is by doing. Through the duration of their first project, your developer will have their share of questions and concerns to bring your way or to their onboarding buddy. Make sure their first task is manageable, and fairly quick, so they can feel accomplished and continue to ramp up their achievements, as well as the stakes.

Ongoing Development

The software onboarding developer process may have concluded, but it will still take some time for your developer to feel comfortable and successful in their new role. Here are some things you can do for your remote developer to help them continue developing and feeling at home.

Provide Opportunities for Continuous Learning

As human beings, we are all always learning. Even if you have been at a company for twenty years, there are always new pieces of technology to master, new skills to pick up, new processes to incorporate into your workflow. Provide avenues for continuous learning, such as online training programs, obtainable certificates, and opportunities to pursue degrees. Your team, and your new developer, will only benefit from such opportunities. 

Scale Up the Projects They are Working On

As mentioned, the first task assigned to your remote developer should be simple and short, in order for them to get used to their new role. As time goes on, their projects can ramp up in difficulty and duration. They will slowly become better, more confident, and they will have fewer questions and concerns.

Establish Daily and Weekly Check-Ins

It’s important to check in on your developer as time goes on. Do not forget about them after onboarding. New challenges always arise, and as their projects begin to differ, they may hit new roadblocks. Their onboarding buddy will not be present forever, so make sure you are scheduling regular check-in meetings and gathering feedback on their new role and finding ways to best support them.

Feedback Loops

Onboarding is a process that is always changing with experience. The more you do it, the better you become. Establish a feedback loop specifically for onboarding, so you can hear what worked and what didn’t work. You may be missing something essential to your team and the work you do. Establish transparency and take feedback into careful consideration.

Congratulations, you have completed the software developer onboarding checklist! Your remote developer is all ready for their new role, thanks to your support and considerate onboarding. As your team expands, as does your knowledge in the field of remote hiring. The world is a wide place, and the opportunities are endless when you source talent from every corner.