How Global Hiring Has Evolved Since the Pandemic

Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated global hiring, with remote work becoming a long-term trend. By 2023, 28% of workers were remote, up from 20% in 2020. While some companies push return-to-office mandates, the benefits of international hiring — access to talent, potential cost savings, and increased diversity — keep it popular. Emerging talent hubs in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia offer specialized skills and time zone advantages. Advances in HR tech and compliance solutions have also made global hiring more seamless.Remember 2020? Sweatpants became the new office attire, Zoom was all the rage (until Zoom fatigue set in), and suddenly companies realized that hiring great talent didn’t mean being locked into local markets. The pandemic forced businesses to rethink everything — including how and where they hire.A November 2020 survey by The Conference Board found that 10% of U.S. companies were willing to hire remote employees from anywhere in the world, up from just 5% before the pandemic. That number has only grown. Between 2020 and 2023, the share of employees working remotely worldwide increased from 20% to 28%. Meanwhile, McKinsey reported in September 2023 that in-office work across major cities remained about 30% below pre-pandemic levels.Despite recent return-to-office pushes (shoutout to ResumeBuilder’s 2024 survey, which found that half of companies surveyed require in-office work four or more days per week), businesses that stick with global hiring continue to gain an edge. And with four out of five companies reporting talent losses due to office mandates, it’s clear that remote work — and the international hiring trend it jump-started — isn’t going anywhere.

The lasting impact of remote hiring

Even as some companies try to get their employees back in the office, companies are still seeing the benefits of hiring international employees and contractors. These are just a few of the benefits of global hiring that are keeping companies hooked:

Bigger talent pool. Companies are no longer limited to whoever lives within an hour’s commute.

Cost savings. Hiring globally lets companies with smaller budgets tap into highly skilled labor markets that may be more affordable.

Diversity advantage. Different perspectives fuel innovation, and a globally distributed workforce offers just that.

In spite of return-to-office mandates trickling in, remote and hybrid work arrangements continue to make perfect sense for many companies that are committed to honing their global hiring and retention strategies.

The global talent hotspots heating up right now

As global hiring continues to prove its value, more companies are looking for the world’s best talent to join their organizations. Does that sound like you? If so, you’re probably wondering where to start your search. Here are some of the hottest talent hubs right now:

Eastern Europe. With steady tech industry growth and deep expertise across blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity, Ukraine, Poland, and Romania continue to earn their reputations as premier destinations for engineering talent.

Latin America: Thanks to growing investment in STEM education and the expansion of internet connectivity across the continent, the LATAM region is experiencing a boom in top-tier tech talent — and Brazil and Mexico are leading the way. Additionally, with time zones that align well with the United States, it’s an ideal hiring ground for US-based companies.

Southeast Asia: Tech startups are popping up all over Southeast Asia, from Vietnam to Indonesia. Investment and growth in the region are attracting more and more talented tech professionals, and that’s made cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, and Manila new hotbeds for remote-ready professionals — especially in software development and digital marketing.

Thanks to the maturation of borderless HR technology, accessing these markets doesn’t mean navigating endless logistical nightmares anymore, either.

The evolution of global hiring technology and compliance solutions

Sourcing global talent is one thing; effectively hiring, onboarding, and collaborating with global team members is another. Today, companies have access to sophisticated, easy-to-use tools that make international HR easier than ever:

AI-driven recruitment platforms. Tools like HireVue and Greenhouse use machine learning to match candidates with open roles faster than traditional recruiting methods.

Automated payroll and compliance solutions. Partners like Plane streamline cross-border payroll, making tax and benefits management effortless.

Collaboration software. Slack, Zoom, and Asana keep global teams connected and productive across time zones.

Of course, compliance still matters — big time. Hiring globally means companies need to navigate:

Employment laws, which can vary widely from country to country.

Payroll and tax regulations that dictate how employees are compensated and taxed internationally.

Data protection mandates to safeguard employee information and maintain legal compliance across borders.

That’s where Plane can also help, by taking the stress out of global hiring to keep companies compliant as they hire and scale internationally.

Emerging opportunities for companies continuing to hire globally

While some companies double down on office space, those still hiring globally are pulling ahead. Why? Because international hiring isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about accessing the best talent in the world, expanding market reach, and future-proofing operations.Here’s where companies are finding an edge:

Building world-class teams. The success of every company comes down to its people. Companies that cast a wider net in their talent searches are finding perfect-fit employees and contractors that can help their organizations not only grow, but thrive over the long term.

Expanding into new markets. Hiring in new regions allows companies to tap into new parts of the world while accessing local expertise. Not only that, but the diversity of backgrounds and cultures among your employees can enhance your company’s ability to innovate and tap into growth opportunities within new customer markets, thanks to your employees’ local expertise and your broader presence.

Weathering economic uncertainty. Diversifying your talent pool across different regions can also bolster the resiliency of your company. If one region were to undergo a disruption (a natural disaster or geopolitical event, for example) you can reallocate work to teams in other parts of the world as your affected employees recover and rebuild.

Companies that double down on global hiring now are future-proofing their talent strategy, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.

The future of global hiring

Global hiring isn’t just a pandemic-era trend — it’s now clear that it’s here to stay. Companies that continue to embrace a distributed, international workforce are gaining access to elite talent. And as technology evolves and investment increases, global hiring will only become faster, easier, and more competitive.The bottom line? Companies that are still leaning into global hiring are the ones best positioned for long-term success, no matter how workplace trends shift down the line.If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, subscribe to Airmail, our LinkedIn newsletter. And if you’re ready to see how Plane can help you hire, onboard, and pay top talent worldwide, book a demo today.