Recruitment during the time of COVID-19

It is tough for everyone at the moment. Businesses are struggling to pivot and reposition themselves for a new future, government debt is growing and unemployment is forecast to increase.

 As industries and businesses adapt to these conditions, the workforce will need to change. New industries, new skills and new careers are on the horizon. And while change can be exciting, this is also bound to be a challenging time for many.

 As recruiters, we are the conduit between two parties – the jobseeker or candidate and the employer or organisation. We see both sides of the process. With over 20 years’ experience we have witnessed both the best and the worst of the recruitment process but now, as we move through COVID and beyond, we think it’s more important than ever for both sides to be patient, kind and empathetic, and to really try to put themselves in the other person’s shoes.

OUR MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS

Being a jobseeker is difficult at any time, but even more so during a pandemic. Unemployment is high and the employment market is changing. As a candidate, the recruitment process can be a highly emotional and stressful journey. Candidates present themselves for a role to be assessed and judged. First they present their CV, which is either accepted or rejected. If accepted, they may have a phone interview, where again they face acceptance or rejection. If they pass this phase, they move on to the next stage – the virtual or face-to-face interview, in which rejection is once more a possible, and even a likely, outcome. Putting yourself forward to be constantly judged and face the possibility of being found wanting is a difficult process. As employers, timely feedback is key. Keep candidates informed about the next steps and the intended timing.

If you are unsure about a candidate, try to avoid keeping them in limbo. Being uncertain about your fate during ‘normal’ times is bad enough, but being left hanging during an already uncertain time in which so many of us feel a loss of control can be torturous.

As an employer, if you would like to speak to us about how to improve the recruitment process, please connect with us here.

OUR MESSAGE TO JOBSEEKERS

Organisations and HR teams are under pressure. HR teams have been restructured and downsized, and we are all learning new ways of working. Pre-COVID we would receive 200 or 300 applications for a role – now these numbers have doubled, and more. We are finding that many individuals are applying for any role, even if they don’t fit the brief. It has become increasingly difficult for HR and recruitment teams to return every phone call or email in a timely manner, especially if you are not suitable for the role.

As a jobseeker you have the advantage of time, and should be reaching out, making connections and networking to find your next role. Just remember that the person on the other end of that call or email may have another 50 or 60 messages to return. 

Join us for our FREE job search strategies webinar on the 29th of October at 10:30am. Just follow the link below.

JOIN OUR WEBINAR VIA ZOOM