about 4 years ago
How Recruitment Has Changed and Adapted to Covid 19
If you’re one of the few companies still hiring in the midst of this pandemic, you’re likely to be doing it in a new way.
The way companies hire staff has fundamentally changed forever, here are just a few ways we have seen the difference happen quickly in only the last few weeks and expect even more changes to come over the next few months.
A Different Candidate Pool
The first change we have noticed is how companies find candidates. Due to social distancing, many companies are reviewing their national or global advertising, limiting their geographic search. Social distancing may be positive for internal candidates, many of whom are getting a closer look. Gig workers ( independent contractors, freelancers) may find themselves with more opportunities, as companies may look to these candidates to bridge the gap, as staff have been furloughed and cannot work, Lots of companies are putting permanent roles on pause, filling interim roles instead.
A Different Interview Process
Prior to lockdown and working from home being implemented widely, we noticed a change in interview patterns. This has since ramped up even further the whole interview process changing, going from in-person to video platforms like Zoom, face-to-face interviews don’t exist anymore! Whilst this would have been laughed at only a few months ago this is now the new norm Companies have different cultures and attitudes and how a company adapts its interview process can be a big clue to its culture, Some companies are delaying peoples start dates, especially within retail where offers have been made but stores are closed By accommodating different comfort levels, companies aren’t just saying they have a good culture; they’re showing it.”
A Different Way of Onboarding Staff
This is a totally different norm to what most of us have ever known or could have dreamt possible, once a candidate is hired, the onboarding process is becoming. Onboarding is a key element to an employee’s initial perception of a company and at this time is vital to keep the employee engaged and give the right impression of your company. Onboarding is about bonding and managing emotions day to day, and when you’re dealing with working remotely, it creates a challenge.
Some companies are using VR technology to give candidates a tour of the offices. Clear information, directives, and strong leadership are also vital at this time, which is why it is vital at this time to have a good HR team in place.
Will This Spark Long Term Changes?
How people work changed overnight, will these new processes and ways of working become permanent? Previously most companies wouldn’t entertain remote working, and now pretty much every company has to embrace this. Interviewing and hiring staff has changed and we all have to put a lot more trust into our workers, and they, in turn, have to learn to be more disciplined, self-sufficient and self-motivated. Managers have to learn new skills in how they motivate and engage with their staff, nothing has prepared us for this new way of working, some will rise to this new challenge others may not.
Today is the new tomorrow -what it looks like none of us really know, but we have all had to take a quick leap of faith and look to the future, embrace the new way of working and change our regular habits in behavior, some companies will flourish and new ways of working and new technologies will emerge. Over the next 6-12 months, the recruiting landscape will look very different.
What changes will you make? We would love to hear your thoughts