Why Companies are Turning to Global Talent Pools in a Post-H-1B Visa World

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and businesses are expanding their operations across borders. As a result, companies require a diverse range of talent to remain competitive. However, changes to the H-1B visa program have impacted talent acquisition for US companies, particularly in STEM fields, turning companies into alternative talent pools, including global talent.

It has resulted in a growing trend of companies leveraging global talent pools to meet their talent acquisition needs. In fact, according to a survey by Envoy Global, 55% of US employers are expanding their search for talent beyond US borders in response to the changes in the H-1B visa program.

This blog explores the growing trend of companies turning to global talent pools to meet their talent acquisition needs, particularly in the STEM fields, in response to the recent H-1B visa program changes.

The Challenges of Hiring Talent in a Post-H-1B Visa World

Visa restrictions have made it more difficult for companies to obtain visas for their foreign employees, resulting in talent shortages and skills gaps in critical fields such as IT and engineering. To overcome these challenges, companies are turning to global talent pools to fill their workforce needs. However, hiring globally presents challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences, and legal and regulatory requirements.

Companies must be aware of these challenges and have a plan in place to manage them effectively:

The Impact of Visa Restrictions

The H-1B visa program has been a critical tool for US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in specialized fields such as technology, engineering, and science. However, recent changes to the program have made it more difficult for companies to obtain visas for their foreign employees.

The Trump administration's "Buy American, Hire American" executive order and other immigration policy changes have sharply declined the number of H-1B visas issued. As a result, in 2020, the approval rate for H-1B visas fell to its lowest level in a decade, with only 63% of applications being approved. These restrictions have left many companies needing help finding skilled talent to grow their businesses.

Companies Need to Look Beyond Domestic Talent Pools

To overcome the challenges of visa restrictions, companies are looking beyond domestic talent pools and are turning to global talent to fill their workforce needs. According to a survey conducted by ManpowerGroup, 55% of employers reported talent shortages in 2020, with the most significant skills gaps being in IT, engineering, and data analysis. By expanding their search for talent to other countries, companies can tap into a broader pool of candidates and find the skills they need to succeed in today's global market.

Let’s have a look at why companies need to change their direction to global talent and what challenges they can encounter:

The Benefits and Challenges of Hiring Talent from Other Countries

In today's global market, hiring talent from other countries has become popular for companies looking to fill critical skills gaps and create more diverse and innovative teams. However, while there are many benefits to hiring global talent, there are also several challenges that companies must consider.

Benefits of Hiring Global Talent

1. Access to a Broader Pool of Candidates: Companies can access a broader pool of candidates by looking beyond domestic talent pools. The shortage of skilled workers in the US makes it even more critical for companies to look beyond their borders to find the talent they need to succeed.

2. Fresh Perspectives and New Ideas: Hiring talent from other countries can bring the company fresh perspectives and new ideas. This can lead to more innovative and creative teams, resulting in better business outcomes. Diverse groups also tend to perform better, according to research from McKinsey & Company; such workforces can lead to various perspectives, which in turn leads to better decision-making.

3. Increased Diversity and Inclusivity: Hiring global talent can help create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. Diversity and inclusion are critical components of a successful business, and companies prioritizing these values tend to perform better than those not. Moreover, a diverse workforce can increase employee morale, reduce turnover rates, and create a more positive work environment.

Challenges of Hiring Global Talent

1. Language Barriers: Language barriers can be a significant challenge when hiring global talent. Companies may need to invest in language training or hire translators to facilitate communication. It can be incredibly challenging in industries where precise communication is critical, such as healthcare or legal services.

2. Cultural Differences: Cultural differences can also be a challenge when hiring global talent. Companies may need to invest in cross-cultural training to ensure that employees understand cultural norms and can work effectively with colleagues from different backgrounds. Hence, it’s important to address cultural differences to avoid misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a lack of cohesion among team members.

3. Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Hiring global talent can be complicated due to legal and regulatory requirements. Companies may need to work with immigration attorneys to navigate the visa process and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to legal issues and potential financial penalties.

Technology and the Rise of Global Talent Pools

Technology has made it easier for companies to collaborate with global teams. For instance, with video conferencing, project management tools, and instant messaging platforms, companies can collaborate with global teams in real-time. In addition, it has made it easier for companies to manage teams and ensure that projects are completed on time and to a high standard.

The benefits of using technology to collaborate with global teams include increased productivity, improved communication, and reduced costs. In addition, technology can help companies manage remote teams and ensure that projects are completed on time and to a high standard.

These companies have successfully leveraged the global talent pool:

1. Infosys

Infosys, an Indian multinational IT company, has successfully leveraged global talent to expand its services. Infosys has a strong global talent pool and has used this to expand its business into new markets. In addition, Infosys has used global talent to offer new products and services to its clients.

2. Shopify

Shopify, a Canadian e-commerce company, has leveraged global talent to grow its business rapidly. Shopify has a distributed workforce and has used this to expand its business globally. In addition, Shopify has used global talent to develop new products and services, such as its mobile app.

3. Grab

Grab, a Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery company, has expanded rapidly across Southeast Asia by leveraging the region's talent pool. The company has a distributed team with employees located in different countries across the region. Grab has also partnered with local universities to hire top talent and has set up innovation centers in multiple cities across Southeast Asia to tap into the local talent pool.

4. Remotebase

Remotebase is a remote-first company that helps businesses find and hire remote workers. The company has a distributed team of employees located worldwide, allowing them to access a global talent pool of top remote workers from different countries. By tapping into a global talent pool, Remotebase enables companies to hire the best talent from anywhere in the world, regardless of their physical location.

Best Practices for Identifying and Recruiting Global Talent

Identifying and recruiting top talent from other countries can be challenging, particularly if you need to familiarize yourself with the local talent pool. Moreover, increasing competition for skilled workers, especially in specialized or niche industries, has made it difficult for companies to recruit top talent.

Here’s how you can overcome the challenges and recruit the most skilled talent for your company:

1. Research the Local Talent Pool

Before you start recruiting, it's essential to research the local talent pool. This means understanding the education system, the job market, and the cultural norms in the country you're targeting. You can start by looking at job boards and industry forums to get an idea of the skills and qualifications that are in demand. Also, consider partnering with local universities and industry associations to access top talent and build relationships with key players in the industry.

2. Develop a Strong Employer Brand

You need to develop a strong employer brand to attract top talent worldwide. This means showcasing your company culture, values, and mission in a way that resonates with potential candidates. You can do this by creating engaging content, such as videos and blog posts, that highlight your company's unique attributes. Moreover, consider offering competitive compensation and benefits packages and opportunities for professional development and growth.

Recommended reading: Leveraging Employer Branding

3. Be Smart with Technology

Technology has made it easier than ever to collaborate with global teams and recruit talent from other countries. For example, you can use video conferencing tools like Zoom and Skype to conduct virtual interviews and meetings with candidates. You can also use online job boards and recruitment platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to reach a wider pool of candidates. Additionally, you can use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to streamline your recruitment process and manage candidates more efficiently.

4. Build Relationships

Amidst work, don’t forget to invest in building relationships with potential candidates is key to successful recruitment. It means investing time and effort in networking, building rapport, and keeping in touch with candidates throughout recruitment. You should also consider partnering with local staffing agencies and recruiters who can help you identify and recruit top talent in your target country.

5. Understand the Legal and Regulatory Landscape

When recruiting talent from other countries, it's essential to understand that country's legal and regulatory landscape. It includes understanding visa requirements, work permits, and other legal requirements for hiring foreign workers. Also, consider partnering with legal experts to help you navigate the legal and regulatory landscape and ensure you comply with all local laws and regulations.

Embrace The Digital Age to Build a Global Workforce

The era of H-1B visas is over, and companies must look beyond physical boundaries to tap into the top global talent. With the rise of remote work and digital platforms, there are more opportunities to collaborate with and recruit talent from around the world.

Remote work has made it easier than ever before to collaborate with global teams, and companies can leverage digital platforms and technologies to identify and recruit top talent from anywhere in the world. However, hiring global talent requires careful planning and execution, and companies need to adopt best practices to ensure success. By following these best practices, companies like Remotebase have successfully leveraged global talent to build successful businesses and stay ahead of the competition.

In the new war for talent, companies that can effectively recruit and retain the right talent, regardless of location, will be best positioned to succeed in the global marketplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can companies ensure the quality of global talent?

Companies can use various methods, such as skills tests, interviews, and references, to assess the quality of global talent. They can also collaborate with trusted partners and build relationships with talent communities to access high-quality candidates.

What are some common misconceptions about hiring global talent?

Misconceptions include the belief that global talent is less skilled or reliable than domestic talent, that language and cultural barriers are insurmountable, and that managing a global workforce is too complex and expensive.

What are the advantages of hiring remote workers from different countries?

Advantages include access to a broader talent pool, diverse perspectives and ideas, and increased flexibility and agility. Remote workers can help companies expand into new markets and adapt to changing business needs.

Build Your Global Talent Team in 24 Hours With Remotebase