Hiring Challenges Post-COVID-19
Businesses all over the world are adapting to life during a global pandemic. Many jobs have been affected by the loss of client onboarding services and the need to cut costs and adjust to new business sizes to stay afloat. There may be tough times ahead, but there are ways to survive. In this guide, we will explore some of the most significant hiring challenges post-COVID-19.
Sifting Through the Applicants
As States start to re-open and businesses adjust to the new normal, the demand for jobs is rising every day. And with the sharp rise in unemployment from the quarantine, there may be hundreds of people applying for roles, many of whom will be desperate to secure a position. To find the right candidates, it is crucial to ask the right questions and perform a remote background check.
When hiring, you want people who fit in with your company’s ethos, and you can learn a lot more about candidates through interviews than through reading a resume or a cover letter. Global lock downs may have stopped face-to-face interviews, but video calls provide a versatile platform to meet people and determine whether they would be a good fit.
Research suggests that we are spending more time online than ever before due to widespread lock downs, and for many candidates searching for jobs, virtual interviews are now the norm. On March 31, there were over 2.7 billion video calls made on Teams alone, according to Microsoft.
Look to Your Inner Workforce
You may be hiring to fill specific positions within the company that doesn’t require experienced workers. This opportunity is a chance to assess your current employees for skills your team already possesses or is willing to learn. You can talk to your employees about diversifying their job roles to take on new responsibilities to broaden their range of skills and capabilities.
Communicate openly with your team, discuss areas you feel you need to address, and clarify the objectives you are trying to achieve. If you explain the situation, you may find that your employees are keen to help out and take on more responsibility.
Complete a Re-Opening Strategy
Coronavirus remains a threat, but there are signs that the world is slowly recovering, with lock down measures lifted in some countries and people returning to work. As infection rates drop and outbreaks become less prevalent, it’s essential to be aware of the impact getting back to the new normal may make.
As agencies that have been forced to close begin to re-open and they start hiring, it is wise to be prepared for some of your employees to be interested in the prospect of returning to old jobs. Analyze data, keep up to date with your industry, and ensure your employees feel valued.
Treating employees well will ensure they feel wanted, and they may be reluctant to consider other opportunities. Every business is facing unprecedented challenges. Therefore, careful planning can make a positive difference. Understand the risks and take steps to mitigate them so that you can re-open safely, increase your chances of retaining staff members, and make the most of the opportunity to bounce back quickly.
No doubt, businesses have been transformed as a result of the changes COVID-19 brought in its wake. While the future may be uncertain, there are steps to increase your chances of surviving the crisis and preparing to thrive in the aftermath.
Taking advantage of remote work, diversifying your employees’ skills, and treating your workforce well, will help you stay afloat. At the same time, it is critical to keep an eye on the situation and prepare to make further adjustments to ensure that you are ready for the new normal, post-COVID-19.