So, you’ve finally decided to go remote—fewer office politics (but Slack drama still exists), no more awkward coffee machine small talk (now it’s virtual icebreakers), and team-building exercises that at least don’t involve trust falls. Just a dream team working from around the world.
But now comes the real challenge: How do you actually find top-notch remote talent?
You have two choices:
☑ Go the DIY route – Post job ads, screen applications, and cross your fingers
☑ Use a talent platform – Post your Job opening on a remote talent platform, and let them do the heavy lifting for you
Which one is the smarter move? Let’s break it down.
The Self-Hiring Approach: You’re the Recruiter Now
Going the do-it-yourself route means you’re handling everything—from writing the job post to sorting through a mountain of applications, conducting interviews, and praying you’ve made the right choice. It’s a tedious process, but some businesses prefer it for more control.
Pros of Self-Hiring
✅ Full control – You make all the decisions regarding hiring and managing remote employees with no middlemen involved.
✅ No platform fees – It’s technically cheaper, assuming you don’t waste weeks filtering resumes.
✅ Custom selection – You know exactly what you’re looking for (or at least, you hope so).
✅ Direct relationship – You get to engage with potential hires without a third party setting rules on contracts, pay, or work structure.
Cons of Self-Hiring
❌ Time-consuming – Sorting through applications, interviewing candidates, and onboarding new hires can take weeks or even months.
❌ Higher risk – Some candidates look great on paper but disappear after onboarding. Others oversell their skills and underdeliver on work.
❌ Compliance headaches – Payroll, contracts, tax laws—you’re on your own. This can be especially tricky when hiring internationally.
❌ Scalability issues – Need to hire multiple remote employees quickly? Good luck managing a flood of applications and handling compliance in several countries at once.
Best for: Companies that have time, patience, and a knack for spotting red flags in resumes.
Hiring Through Talent Platforms: The Smarter Shortcut
This is where talent platforms shine. Instead of spending weeks sifting through unqualified candidates, platforms like DigiWorks remote talent platform streamline the process.
They pre-screen talent, handle payments, ensure legal compliance, and even provide support so you don’t have to. It’s the faster, easier way to build a global remote team without the headaches.
Pros of Using a Talent Platform
✅ Access to pre-vetted candidates – No more guessing if “10 years of experience” means actual experience or just 10 months of YouTube tutorials.
✅ Faster hiring – Skip the resume pile and get matched with top-tier remote talent in days instead of weeks.
✅ Hassle-free compliance – Payroll, taxes, and contracts? The platform takes care of it, so you don’t have to hire a lawyer every time you expand your team.
✅ Scalable hiring – Need one freelancer or a whole remote team? Talent platforms can scale your hiring efforts quickly and efficiently.
✅ Reliable support – Remote talent hiring platforms offer ongoing support, ensuring that businesses and remote workers stay on the same page with payments, work expectations, and performance
Cons of Using a Talent Platform
❌ Service fees – You pay for the convenience (but hey, time is money, right?).
❌ Less direct control – Platforms curate candidates, so while you get high-quality talent, you might not see every single option.
❌ Standardized hiring process – Some businesses prefer a fully customized hiring experience, which might be harder within a structured platform.
Best for: Businesses that value efficiency, security, and getting the right talent without the hassle.
So, What’s the Best Choice?
If you’re hiring one or two freelancers and have the patience to go through endless resumes, self-hiring might work.
But if you need high-quality management in remote team hiring fast, a platform like Team DigiWorks remote talent platform is your best bet.
In Short
Self-hiring gives businesses full control over the recruitment process but is time-consuming and risky and requires handling compliance independently.
Talent platforms offer pre-vetted candidates, faster hiring, and hassle-free compliance, making remote team-building easier.
Businesses should choose self-hiring for greater customization and control, while talent platforms are ideal for efficient, scalable hiring without administrative burdens.
At the end of the day, it’s like making coffee:
Self-hiring = grinding your own beans, measuring the water, and hoping you don’t mess it up.
Talent platforms = pressing a button on a machine and getting a perfect cup every time.
Final Thought: A great remote team can make or break your business. Whether you choose the DIY approach or rely on a trusted platform, the key is to find the right talent that fits your business needs.