If there’s one thing we can take away from 2025, it’s that going remote-first can offer an advantage in hiring and retaining top talent. Over the years, flexibility has evolved into one of the most sought-after benefits that an organization can offer, giving employees a chance to operate under their own terms. Unfortunately for most, over the last two years, return-to-work mandates have yanked workers back into their office seats, pulling them away from the pajama-wrapped comforts of working from home.
Remote work offers employees many advantages, and it appears that they’re determined to find work that can guarantee them the same benefits. Companies with remote opportunities have witnessed a surge of applications, drawing aspiring candidates to them like moths to an open flame. And while the management of remote workers does come with its own challenges, the advantages cannot be overlooked.
Remote-first jobs come with many advantages in hiring, drawing top talent to the company with the promise of flexibility. (Image: Pexels)
Going Remote-First Offers Many Advantages in Hiring: Flexibility Remains the Ultimate Goal
Companies still accepting applications for remote roles have a distinct advantage over companies that aren’t. According to Business Insider, only about 8% of the job postings on LinkedIn advertised remote roles, however, these businesses received 35% of the applications. This makes it quite obvious that organizations with remote jobs can expect a surge in job applications.
Is this as big an advantage as it appears to be? Possibly. Companies at the top of their industry are competing for key talent, particularly in the AI space. Meta has been on a mission to poach expert workers from other businesses, recruiting employees at higher costs than expected. While some were drawn away, others changed their minds and quit quickly. Good pay and benefits are the most standard perks to attract talented candidates, however, these terms are no longer enough to retain workers.
“A good salary draws me to a company, but a good culture is what helps me stay. With no flexibility or support for us to take care of our personal lives, the money doesn’t get us far,” one worker told us. “My last job paid well, but I spent so much time traveling to and from work that I came back home exhausted. With my new job, I get to clock out and spend time with the kids immediately for a bit. I even have time to workout or read a book if I want. Life’s better when I work remotely.”
Will We See a Surge of Remote Jobs in the Near Future?
A surge in job postings for remote work seems unlikely at the moment, but we expect that many small businesses will use the rise in RTO policies among the industry leaders to their advantage. While the top names appeal to talent through high pay, PTO, stock shares, and other financial benefits, smaller businesses that identify the advantages of going remote-first in hiring can pull workers in by offering them flexibility.
That said, remote work does come with pros and cons that need to be evaluated carefully. While offering a remote job is easy, the management of workers is much harder when it’s entirely online. From ensuring productivity to building engagement, there are a lot of challenges to address. In-person work allows for greater collaboration and unity among workers, and there’s a reason that business experts vouch for its utility.
Hybrid opportunities are a sustainable alternative for organizations that want the best of both worlds, but it’s up to the HR and management teams to ensure that employees don’t stay unnerved by the possibility of a full-time return to work. Companies that do stick to in-person work have the tough task of convincing employees about the many advantages of collaborating face-to-face. A strategy is only as effective as the planning that goes into devising it.
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