The Only Remote Recruiter Cheat Sheet You'll Ever Need (For Applicants)

Pop how to get hired for a remote job into Google, and what do you get? A flood of articles telling you to network, polish your resume, and look sharp for your interview.

Not quite the groundbreaking stuff you might be hoping for.

The truth? When hiring went global, the entire process needed an overhaul. But most applicants are still following an outdated playbook.

Smart companies know that snagging the world's top talent isn't easy and local tactics don't apply.

At Crossover, we've been working on our upside down approach to remote hiring since 2014. It's not just different – it's where smart companies are headed if they want top, global talent.

Here's what you're really up against:

1. AI-powered initial screening
2. Cognitive aptitude tests
3. Asynchronous AI interviews
4. Skills-based assessments
5. A human interview or two

Each of these steps is designed to peel back the layers of your application, revealing your true talents - regardless of where you're from, who you know, or which university halls you might have wandered.

This cheat sheet is your backstage pass to the new world of remote hiring. We're breaking down each stage and arming you with the strategies you need to navigate the process.

It's time to master the new language of remote hiring.

1. Navigating AI-Powered Initial Screening

Understanding AI's Role in Initial Screening

Picture this: A job posting goes live, and within hours, thousands (often tens of thousands) of applications flood in from every corner of the globe. It's a recruiter's dream - and nightmare.

HireVue cites that 70% of HR professionals are either already using AI in 2024 or are planning to adopt it. 

Because when you're dealing with global volume, you either need to conjure up more hours in the day, or you need a sidekick.

AI is that sidekick.

But make no mistake. Using AI for screening isn't about dehumanization and cutting corners. It's not callous or cold-blooded. 

It's about reviewing applications in-depth (at scale), eliminating clear mismatches, and freeing up human mental space for real fits.

Optimizing Your Application for AI Systems

So, how do you get past the AI-powered bouncer at the door? 

Here are some tactics to make your application shine in the eyes of AI:

1. Optimize Your Keywords: Job listings are jammed full of language the recruiter deemed important. Use AI to extract these and incorporate them naturally throughout your application. Don't keyword stuff! It's about accurately representing yourself in the language the AI has been told to look out for.
2. Company Deep Dive: Let AI be your research assistant. Use it to analyze company pages, annual reports, and press releases. Use this to understand their DNA, what they're looking for, and how you can help. 
3. Quantify Like a Boss: "Improved system efficiency" is nice. "Increased system efficiency by 35%, saving the company $100,000 annually" is chef's kiss. Numbers are AI's love language. Speak it fluently.

2. Mastering Cognitive Aptitude Tests

Understanding Cognitive Aptitude Tests

Cognitive aptitude tests are the darlings of the recruiting world, and for good reason.

There are various types of aptitude tests, each assessing a range of aptitudes. From verbal reasoning to numerical skills, they're designed to measure how you process and apply information.

Research shows they're wildly accurate predictors of job performance across different roles and industries.

These tests don't focus on your personality traits or how well you can charm an interviewer. Aptitude tests measure your ability to learn, think critically, solve problems, and apply attention to detail.

At Crossover, we opt for the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT). It's a standout for assessing long-term job performance, and is:

• 1.6x as predictive as job interviews
• 4x as predictive as experience

That means the end days of charisma and fancy CV’s outshining raw talent and real skills are on the horizon.

Short-Term Preparation

When it comes to aptitude tests, there's really no way to cram. Your cognitive skills and aptitude are a result of years of development and they don't change overnight.

There are tactics you can use to help you perform at your best on the day:

1. Know the Format: Spend some time understanding the types of questions you'll face. Most cognitive aptitude tests include a mix of verbal, math, and spatial reasoning questions. Don't let yourself get caught off guard.
2. Time Management is Key: Many aptitude tests are a sprint, not a marathon. The CCAT is 50 questions in 15 minutes. That's 18 seconds per question! Practice working under pressure and go in with a time strategy.
3. Create a Distraction-Free Zone: Set up your test-taking space for optimal focus. No notifications, no distractions. Just you and your cognitive prowess.

Long-Term Improvement

Cognitive abilities are like muscles - they get stronger with consistent exercise. 

Here's your long-term workout plan:

1. Hone Your Math Skills: You don't need to be Terence Tao, but you should be comfortable with numbers. Practice mental math, work on pattern recognition, and build your mathematical intuition.
2. Expand Your Verbal Comprehension: Start reading broadly. News articles, academic papers, even that dusty classic novel on your shelf. They all contribute to building your verbal reasoning muscles.
3. Develop Your Spatial Skills: Ever played Tetris? Turns out it wasn't just procrastination - it was training. Familiarize yourself with spatial reasoning puzzles and games. Getting fast with these is how you can gain time for more reasoned questions in the test.

Top Tip: Learn more about the CCAT from our official CCAT guide!

3. Excelling in Asynchronous AI Interviews

Understanding AI-Driven Text-Based Interviews

Asynchronous, AI-driven interviews turn the interview process on its head.

The beauty of these interviews lies in their flexibility. No more trying to sound chipper at 7 AM or coherent after a full day of work. 

You can engage when you're at your best, whether that's at the crack of dawn, the stroke of midnight, or somewhere in between.

Need another reason why this is a winner?

Without the pressure of first impressions and immediate answers, you can focus entirely on crafting thoughtful, detailed responses.

Strategies for Success

Ready to ace your AI interview? 

Here's your game plan:

1. Story Bank: Prepare a repertoire of your greatest hits. When did you encounter a challenge? How did you solve it? What did you learn and adjust going forward? Craft your stories and prepare the data that backs them up.
2. STAR Power: Don't waste time trying to figure out structure on the fly. Streamline your responses with templates like the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
3. Detail is King: AI can process more information than a human interviewer, so don't be shy about providing context. Paint a vivid picture. It's not only about what you did, but how you did it.

4. Showcasing Skills in Assessments

Understanding Skills-Based Hiring

Imagine a world where your ability to do the job matters more than the name on your diploma.

That's skills-based hiring.

This approach is like the meritocracy of the professional world. It doesn't care if you went to Harvard or learned from YouTube. It's only concern is what you can do.

And it works!

A 2022 McKinsey report found that hiring based on skill assessment tests is 5X more predictive of job performance than education and more than 2X as predictive as work experience.

Maximizing Performance in Skills Assessments

Ready to show what you're made of? 

Here's how to ace your skills assessment:

1. Approach It Like Real Work: This isn't the time for a professional alter ego. Show your authentic skills and approach. Recruiters are looking at how you do the job. Not how someone you think they want to see does it.
2. Show Your Work: Remember in math class when show your work was more important than the final answer? Same principle applies here. Use comments to walk the assessor through your thought process.
3. Follow Instructions to a T: It sounds simple, but you'd be surprised how many candidates go off-script. Read the instructions carefully and stay on task.

5. Acing the Human Interview

Understanding Human Interviews

Just when you thought it was all algorithms and AI, surprise! There's still that all-important human element in this high-tech hiring process.

By this point, you've proven your skills six ways to Sunday. The human interview isn't about rehashing your resume or retaking tests. It's about seeing if you're the missing puzzle piece in their team picture.

This is where the intangibles come into play - your personality, your communication style, how you might mesh with the team.

It's less about what you can do and more about how you do it.

Time to loosen the collar and settle in for a chat.

Preparation Strategies

Ready to charm your way into your dream job? 

Here's your game plan:

1. Do Your Homework: Don't just skim the company's About page. Understand their mission, recent projects, and how you might fit into their grand narrative.
2. Story Time: Prepare your list of career anecdotes. Focus on tales that show you're a remote work boss - independent, communicative, and results-driven.
3. Questions, Questions: Remember, an interview is a two-way street. Come armed with thoughtful questions that show you're not just looking for any job, but this job. Bonus points if you can reference earlier stages of the process - it shows you've been paying attention.

Demonstrating Key Traits

Want to know what really makes a remote recruiter's eyes light up?

Heather Lother, VP of Talent and People Operations at Crossover has a front-row seat to tens of thousands of remote first applications. 

Here are the key traits she's on the lookout for:

1. Gives and receives feedback well: In remote work feedback is rocket fuel. Show that you don't just tolerate feedback - you thrive on it. And when it's your turn to give feedback? You do it with tact and purpose.
2. Expert in their domain, but open to new approaches: You're a master in your field, but you're not resting on your laurels. Show that you're all about exploring new ideas and methods. You're all about getting better. Not sticking to business as usual.
3. Proactive and takes initiative: Remote work isn't about waiting for instructions. Highlight times when you've spotted problems and solved them before anyone else even noticed. Show them you're the person who doesn't just report issues but resolves them.
4. Clear, concise written communicator: In a remote setting, your words are your primary tool. Showcase your ability to convey complex ideas simply and effectively through writing. No fluff, no jargon - just crystal-clear, well-structured communication.
5. Consistent hard worker: You don't work hard because someone's watching - it's just who you are. Show how your internal drive and passion for quality keep you pushing forward, day in and day out.
6. Adaptable and flexible: Change is a given, but you're the person who thrives on it. Emphasize your ability to roll with the punches, seeing shifts and challenges not as obstacles, but as opportunities to grow and improve.
7. Enthusiastic about AI and excited to experiment: Show your insatiable curiosity about AI's potential. Highlight your eagerness to explore, enable, and execute AI-driven solutions. It's about your readiness to wade in, figure things out, and turn cutting-edge tech into practical results.

The Global Hiring Edge: Your New Advantage

Many people look at AI, cognitive assessments, and skills testing and see a cold and impersonal process.

But here's the truth. This new, remote process is all about finding the best talent globally, in the fairest way possible.

Your Cheat Sheet:

• AI screening: Digs deeper into your application than an overloaded recruiter ever could
• Cognitive testing: It's only interested in your potential, not your university scores
• AI interviews: They've been designed to coax out the best you - wherever & whenever you shine brightest
• Skills assessments: These prove you can walk the walk (because talk is cheap)

You're not competing against Bill from Harvard anymore. You're competing with these new tools and tactics.

And with a bit of preparation, your chances at landing that sweet, remote job shoot through the roof.

So, are you ready to step up to the plate? It's time to decode those job listings, hone your problem-solving skills, prep your highlight reel, and get applying!

Are you ready to show the world what you're made of? Your dream career is out there – and now you know exactly how to go after it.