Having grown up in India, I have always been open to the idea of hiring international workers, with several hires currently working for me from overseas.
When Atula Technologies was first launched, we decided to operate remotely and not occupy an office space. This was in line with many other organisations at the time. Starting out from small beginnings, the company gradually grew, and our vacancies were seen by many individuals overseas, who were prepared to work unsociable hours to keep up with the demands of the role and the UK time zone.
According to Indeed, 4.9% of all clicks on UK job postings came from outside the UK in July 2024, up from 3.2% in 2019. Jobs related to Software Development have seen the largest rise in overseas interest, alongside the likes of education and management.
In Remote’s 2022 Tech Talent Report, it was found that a quarter of UK businesses are now considering hiring overseas technology talent in a bid to tackle the domestic skills shortages. The Rec Hub has also shared how 27% of UK companies have started hiring candidates from abroad or are in the process of doing so. Meanwhile, 60% of employers are still primarily focused on nationwide recruitment drives.
What are the advantages of hiring talent overseas?
- Access to Talent
By not limiting the talent pool to individuals in the immediate country, a business has access to individuals from all walks of life with varying levels of experience. Depending on the given role, a business can be more selective with their wants, needs and requirements they need a candidate to meet
- Cost Savings
Even if a business pays their overseas employee the equivalent of the UK wage, there is still a cost saving in the form of admin work and taxes.
- Cultural Insights
Exposing employees to other cultures beyond the registered area will allow the organisation to be more well-rounded and acquaint it with the skills and understanding needed to target markets abroad. On a personal level, it has helped us understand how technology might be used in a different part of the world.
Challenges brought about by hiring abroad
- Communication
When hiring internationally, it is important to consider that English might not be the first language of the employee. This can make teamwork challenging when coming up against language barriers. But it’s not impossible!
- Cultural Variations
A diverse workforce may have to adapt to incorporate each other’s needs. When doing this, it is important not to stereotype or go into discussion with prejudice or thoughts of discrimination. Lead with an open mind.
- Bonding
Building a culture where members of the team located across the globe collaborate and work together can be challenging. It is important to encourage a space where open discussions and feedback can be given.
Considerations for Employers
- Clarity in Communication
Having clear roles, responsibilities and expectations for each member of the team can help enforce boundaries and a chain of command.
- Cultural Awareness
Employers can consider providing cultural awareness training to help employees understand and respect diverse backgrounds.
- Technology Utilisation
With collaboration limited by distance, a business can use task management tools to manage and track progress on tasks and projects. This will greatly help asynchronous work to enhance productivity.
- Regular Meetings
Regular meetings can be used to understand the work happening across the various desks across the world. This can also help with fluidity if the business chooses to ensure that all team members have a common meeting time to interact with each other, even if only virtually.
- Open Dialogue
Leaders can ensure that there are regular opportunities for team members to communicate back to senior members of the team. This way feedback can be actioned to maintain the job satisfaction and wellbeing of the team.
International workers can be a real asset to any company. However, before opening the door to a distanced workforce, a company must weigh up the advantages and disadvantages as to whether it is effective for the organisation in the long run. Not all businesses are suited to remote working. That being said, if you are willing to give it a chance, you may find a real gem!
Since October 2020, Soumya Dinesh has been Managing Director and Co-Founder of Atula Technologies – a Buckinghamshire based business specialising in bespoke software solutions for SMEs. Soumya works closely with her talented staff to provide digital business solutions that help her clients thrive and prosper.
