When you think back to a year and a half ago, you will remember feeling some anxiety or uncertainty. Mask mandates swept the country, businesses closed to the public and many workplaces turned toward remote work to keep employees safe.

Fast forward to the end of 2021 and remote work has accelerated to become the new normal for many industries. More and more businesses are allowing employees to have a flexible schedule and work from home. And many employees are finding there are perks to working from home.

A survey conducted by OwlLabs and Global Workplace Analytics, the “State of Remote Work: 2020 COVID Edition" found:

• Remote employees save an average of 40 minutes a day from commuting.
•  A majority of respondents (59%) said they would be more likely to choose an employer that offered remote work than one that didn't.
• Employees working from home reported being 22% happier than workers who always work in an office.
• Nearly a quarter would take a 10% pay cut to work from home permanently.
  

With all of this in consideration, trying to hire in the new labor market is overwhelming, especially if you haven't hired anyone during this unique time. Here are four tips to embrace the new world of hiring:

1) Be transparent. Take a stance on whether you're going to offer remote, hybrid or in-office work. Be open with candidates during the recruitment process about their schedules. The option to work remotely is a huge benefit many candidates are looking for, so be upfront about whether it is an option.

2) Stay competitive. Take a look at others hiring in your area. Go to Indeed, Ziprecruiter or other job boards and search for similar jobs in your area. See if there are many remote jobs and look at their benefits and pay structures. This will give you a good indication of what others are doing, and what you should do to attract top talent.

3) Be open-minded. A lot has changed. Having an old-school mindset could burn you in the recruiting process. Staying on top of the newer trends and listening to what candidates are expecting in their new work environment will help you understand how things have changed and if your business structure needs to adapt.

4) Use technology. If you're hiring a remote employee, technology will be your best friend. Video software such as Zoom, Skype or Google Meet is essential for training and onboarding new employees. It's also a great way to get to know coworkers and get accustomed to the work environment. Many virtual phone systems allow calls to be monitored live as well, so you can track their progress and coach.

Change can be uncomfortable—but it's important to embrace it. In today's world, there is more opportunity to take into consideration the needs and wants of employees, which can make the workplace an even better experience for everyone.

Katie Thornsberry is marketing coordinator at IdealTraits, a Big “I" Hires partner.