The Coronavirus outbreak has thrown the world into chaos. Countries worldwide are sent into lockdown, stock markets are crashing, the global economy is facing a historical challenge, and life as we know it has come to a standstill. Businesses are dealing with challenges that no one has a playbook for. Uber, for example, is consulting with an epidemiologist to ensure that their “efforts as a company are grounded in medical advice”. But what does all this uncertainty mean for the recruitment industry?
Impact Is Sector-Dependent
Few sectors have been left untouched by the chaos the virus has caused and recruitment is not immune. Recruiters for the travel sector will perhaps be hit the hardest as halted travel demand causes businesses such as TUI, EasyJet, and Lufthansa Group to announce hiring freezes. We are also witnessing department stores and speciality retailers shed jobs as people are more and more unwilling or unable to leave their homes and turn to online-based businesses such as Amazon, which announced 100,000 new job openings.
On the other hand, businesses will continue to recruit for essential roles throughout industries and for some, hiring is absolutely essential right now. Certain sectors, such as technology, are hiring heavily according to the Financial Times “as they move to take advantage of a world shifting increasingly to digital as a result of the coronavirus”.
Virtual Recruitment Methods Become Essential
Shifting to digital is key in recruiting too as for those continuing to recruit, the process is changing drastically. Recruitment is an industry that is used to face-to-face contact. In the time of the coronavirus, however, businesses move away from in-office work, meetings, and in-person interviews. Thus, virtual recruitment methods are becoming essential. Thankfully, video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Skype can help recruiters communicate with hiring managers and candidates alike.
Moving to online interviews also has significant upsides as it can help speed up the hiring process and reduce time-to-fill. Though, patience might still be necessary as businesses work to come up with contingency plans and deal with issues related to the coronavirus. Additionally, online interviews are more convenient for potential hires and take up less time. Another upside is that travel restrictions mean that coordinating interview times with candidates becomes easier as they aren’t travelling for business.
The coronavirus situation is changing at an hourly rate, but it has become clear that companies and workforces will function differently for some time. Adapting to new ways of recruiting as a result of Covid-19 is essential for businesses in order to survive. Research Partners offers various recruitment services such as peak hiring support, as will be needed by certain industries now, to help you navigate your hiring challenges.
