Virtual RoundTable “Talent Acquisition during COVID-19”

Juli 30, 2020

“Talent Acquisition during COVID-19”

COVID-19 has forced businesses worldwide to adjust and adapt. Organisations around the globe have taken action to stay productive while responding to the health needs of candidates, employees and customers. 

For generations, hiring new staff was a repetitive process, scan through resumes, bring in top candidates, have multiple in-person interviews, shake hands, and finally, extend an offer. Now, that might be a distant memory. The recruiting and hiring process has changed. From where you’re looking for talent to the interview and onboarding process, social distancing is impacting recruiting in a myriad of ways.

Virtual recruitment has emerged as the go-to method to keep the hiring processes moving while protecting recruiters and candidates. Whilst the change was a little uncomfortable at first, talent acquisition professionals have proved they were up for the task.

And whilst we continue to navigate this “new normal,” COVID-19 has proven it will have both a temporary and enduring effect on the workplace of the future.

Speaking to many of our clients over the past 12 weeks, we noticed a commonality in pressure points and issues that had arisen due to the pandemic and the role that HR and HSE professionals were required to take in order to establish BAU for their businesses and their workforces.

Continuing our series of virtual roundtables, Angela Franks, Head of Frazer Jones Australia, and Michele Beale, Director and Head of Safety, were delighted to host a group of Talent Acquisition professionals from the Financial Services and Professional Services industry sectors. The topic for the virtual roundtable was “Talent Acquisition during COVID-19”.

From the conversation we compiled these key takeaways:-

Hiring talent without meeting face-to-face

While some organisations have instituted hiring freezes during the pandemic, many are still operating, but under unique circumstances. The use of virtual technology to meet and evaluate candidates has almost completely taken over the traditional recruitment method. Whilst initial phone screenings remain the same, the face-to-face interview has almost 100% moved online.

Pre-hire assessment – getting the right balance of rigorous assessment and candidate experience

New technology has broadened the choice of assessments available and given organisations more ways to understand the skills, abilities and behaviours of candidates. However, the challenge of balance remains.

Onboarding new talent while all working remotely

While aspects of the assessment and selection phases lend themselves to virtual solutions somewhat easily, onboarding a new hire in their first weeks can be a bit of a challenge.

Team engagement during a pandemic

In response to social distancing (including work from home policies), it is important to take steps to continue to engage your workforce. The most important focus for management should be clear and consistent communication. With the pandemic constantly changing, employees look to business leaders to remain calm, inform and above all – lead.

How to build/maintain employer brand when the organisation has reduced its workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of employer brand during a crisis, but there is no playbook for this unprecedented time. Whilst a company cannot control a crisis, it can control how it responds. The choices made now can affect a company’s brand for decades.

With the closure of our international borders, how do businesses that rely heavily on international hires find the talent they need domestically.

With approximately one-fifth of the world’s population under a form of “lockdown,” our globalized world looks markedly different from just months ago. Countries around the world have closed their borders to non-citizens and residents and airlines have suspended operations. Companies were not ready for this sudden stop nor were they ready for the impact of this crisis. They now need to address how to effectively manage complex international employment challenges.

If you are interested in being part of our conversation and/or would like to join one of our Virtual Round Tables, please get in touch with one of the Frazer Jones team here.