Remote work is no longer a trend... it’s the new norm, especially in the software development industry. While companies across the globe enjoy the benefits of flexibility and access to a global talent pool, they’re also navigating significant challenges.
One of the toughest? Building high-performing, collaborative teams without the advantage of face-to-face interactions. This is where technical vetting becomes a game-changer.
The unique challenges of remote teams
Remote teams operate in a different dynamic compared to traditional office setups. Communication relies heavily on asynchronous tools, collaboration often crosses time zones, and accountability becomes even more essential. In this environment, hiring the right people isn’t just about finding talented individuals—it’s about finding the right fit for both the team and the technical requirements of the role.
In addition, remote teams thrive on a delicate balance of collaboration and autonomy. Team members must be capable of working independently while maintaining seamless communication with their colleagues. Highly developed communication skills are non-negotiable, as they ensure clarity, foster trust, and prevent misunderstandings in an environment where face-to-face interaction is limited.
Then why technical vetting is a non-negotiable step?
1. Ensuring skills match the role
Without thorough vetting, there’s a risk of hiring someone who may look good on paper but lacks the depth of expertise needed for the role. Technical vetting ensures candidates have the skills to handle the complexities of their tasks, whether that’s writing scalable code, debugging a system, or designing intuitive user interfaces.
2. Maintaining team productivity
A single weak link in a remote team can disrupt workflows and impact productivity. Remote teams depend on every member pulling their weight. Proper technical vetting ensures that everyone in the team can contribute at a high level from day one.
3. Building trust among team members
When every team member knows their colleagues are highly skilled, trust naturally follows. This trust is crucial in remote setups, where collaboration often happens without face-to-face interactions. Technical vetting gives your team confidence in their peers.
4. Saving time and money
Bad hires are expensive. The cost of onboarding, training, and replacing a hire who doesn’t meet expectations is amplified in remote environments. A robust vetting process minimizes this risk by filtering out unqualified candidates early on.
What does good technical vetting look like?
Customized skill assessments
Tailor assessments to reflect the actual work the candidate will be doing, with a focus on uncovering their problem-solving criteria and approach. For example, a backend engineer should not only be tested on their ability to write efficient APIs but also on how they analyze requirements, design solutions, and prioritize trade-offs.
Similarly, a QA analyst should demonstrate not just their testing strategies but also their ability to identify critical paths, anticipate edge cases, and optimize test coverage. The goal is to understand how they think and approach challenges, not just what they deliver.
Coding challenges and live tests
Practical coding tests give candidates a chance to show their skills in real-time. Live coding sessions can also offer insight into how they approach problems, collaborate, and communicate under pressure.
Behavioral and soft skills evaluation
Technical skills alone don’t make a great remote worker. Evaluate candidates for soft skills like communication, adaptability, and time management. These are essential for succeeding in a remote-first environment.
Cultural Alignment
A great engineer who doesn’t align with your company’s culture can still be a mismatch. Make sure your vetting process includes evaluating whether a candidate’s values and work style fit with your team.
Conclusion: The right people make all the difference.
The success of a remote team hinges on the quality of its members. Technical vetting ensures that you’re not just filling a position but creating a strong, cohesive team capable of tackling challenges and delivering consistent results. In remote environments, where miscommunication and skill gaps can easily derail progress, this process serves as the foundation for sustainable success.
At Bowery, we’ve honed our technical vetting process to deliver top engineering talent to leading US companies and startups. Our process combines rigorous skill assessments, cultural alignment evaluations, and a deep understanding of what it takes to thrive in a remote-first setup. We don’t just find candidate, we find the right candidates.
And honestly, we don’t stop there. We continuously improve and evolve our vetting process to adapt to industry trends, client needs, and the ever-changing dynamics of remote work.
If you’re a company looking to scale your team with exceptional talent or a professional wanting to work on top-tier projects, we’d love to hear from you.
Reach out to Bowery today and let’s create something extraordinary together. 🚀
