COVID-19 has drastically changed nearly every way of life; how hiring will take place is no different. While many companies did have to layoff or furlough employees as COVID caused a nationwide shutdown, at some point, businesses will need to start hiring again. As companies come back to work and their hiring needs increase, interviewing, and onboarding candidates will look different than it has in the past. We’re sharing the three ways COVID will change the hiring process.
The Process will be Remote
We expect to see companies continue using digital to screen and interview candidates. While digital was most likely already the main method for screening candidates, virtual interviews probably weren’t. Companies who have still been hiring have had to rely on video conferencing to interview candidates over the past two months. This trend will continue as we keep navigating through COVID and post-COVID. Companies should expect to keep the interview process remote for the foreseeable future.
The Onboarding Process will Change
Companies should also expect the onboarding process to change due to COVID. After a candidate is virtually interviewed and hired, the onboarding process will be digital, too. Since onboarding is a crucial step in making a new hire feel welcome and is a significant factor in long-term retention, managers will have to step up to make the virtual onboarding inclusive and personal for their new hire.
Some companies have gotten creative with technology to help their new hires feel acclimated by offering VR tours of the office or facilities. While this is a more extreme example, there are plenty of ways managers can make the digital onboarding process more personal. They can set up Zoom meetings with the team, set clear expectations and direction, and continually check-in virtually.
There will be a Broader Candidate Pool
Since COVID caused so many layoffs as companies were shuttered, there will be a new, broader candidate pool businesses will be able to find talent from. While we were experiencing a tight talent market pre-COVID, this will most likely change as companies return to work, and there will be more talent available.
As we continue to adjust to the “new normal,” companies will have to change how they hire and onboard new employees. Knowing how COVID will change the hiring process is the first step, companies will have to embrace the process will remain remote, know the onboarding process will change, and there will be a new, broader candidate pool to find talent.
About EG Workforce Solutions
We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.
But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We hear your likes, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.
We went from a job-seekers market to one of the highest unemployment rates ever in the course of about ten weeks due to COVID-19. This has affected job seekers but has not made it impossible to get hired. While the hiring process has slowed, you can get hired if you follow these tips for how to job search during a downturned economy.
Customize Your Resume for Each Application
When you’re applying for jobs, avoid just using the “copy and paste” method. It can be tempting to copy and paste your information as you apply for jobs, we highly recommend against this. Tailor your resume and work history for each job you apply for. We know it often takes time to update your resume, but it is worth it when your application stands out from the others.
Be sure to read the full job description so you can pull out specific duties or responsibilities required you have experience with and make sure to highlight these skills on your resume. Most applications that are submitted online go through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that does an AI screening to look for specifics on a resume from the job description. According to Monster.com, nearly 75% of resumes that go through an ATS are eliminated because they don’t meet the requirements the hiring manager specified, such as the right skills, education level, or job titles.
You’ll also want to update your cover letter to each application as well. Make sure you’re hitting on specific parts of the job description and the company you’re applying to. It’s also crucial you address your cover letter to the person who will be reading it instead of using “To Whom it May Concern.” This is just lazy job searching, and the hiring manager will see right through it. You can often find the names of the HR or hiring team on the company’s website or LinkedIn profile.
Strengthen Your Online Network
Now is the time to start using LinkedIn if you’re not already. LinkedIn allows you to connect with the right people who can help you land the job you’re looking for. Some jobs are never posted online and are filled strictly through word-of-mouth or via a referral. Strengthening and engaging your online network can help you make connections to these “hidden jobs.” Let your friends, family, and connections know you’re in the job market – you never know who might have a lead they can point you towards. Utilizing your online network can open up a whole new set of job opportunities beyond what you’ll find using internet job sites.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to former co-workers and managers. It’s likely they’re more willing to hire you back over other applicants because they already know your skills. Even if they aren’t hiring, they can be a point of reference for your other applications.
Highlight Your Transferable Skills
Even in a “job-seeker economy,” there is stiff competition, even more so when the market dips and more people are competing for the same limited jobs. It is critical you up your game to make your resume stand out by highlighting your transferable skills.
This goes hand-in-hand with customizing your resume for each application you submit. Read the full job description and pull out the requirements that match or align closely with your past experience in a way you’d be easily able to learn any gaps you might be missing.
Consider Taking a Temporary Job
If you’ve lost your job as a result of COVID-19, it is worth considering taking a temporary job. Not only will it ease financial stress you might be feeling; there is the real possibility it could lead to a full-time position. Even if a temporary job doesn’t end in a full-time offer, it will give you great on-demand, transferable skills you can use to find your next position. EG Workforce Solutions has over 60 years of experience in Helping People Succeed; our temporary services could help you too as we have positions hiring now!
Job searching is never easy; it certainly is going to be much more difficult in a downturned economy; however, by following these tips and staying positive, you will find a job. Be patient with the slower process as companies struggle to come back online or ramp-up to full function. We encourage you not to get discouraged and remember that you’re not the only job seeker struggling – we are here as a resource to help you succeed.
About EG Workforce Solutions
We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.
But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We listen to your interests, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.
As the country slowly starts the process of “returning to work,” employees will be experiencing a mix of emotions; fear, anticipation, stress, etc. It is up to employers to create an environment that makes your employees feel safe and protected as they return to work. EG Workforce has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation from the beginning while following CDC guidelines and has established three things employees will expect post-COVID.
Employees Will Expect to be Protected
Perhaps the most important thing employees will expect as they return to work is to be protected. Companies should plan to invest in disinfecting and sanitizing their offices or manufacturing facilities before their employees return and have a sanitation plan in place to keep the workplace safe as the workers return.
If employees don’t feel they are safe in their workplace, employers will almost certainly see a significant drop in productivity. Help your employees focus on the job at hand by providing safety measures they protect them. EG Workforce Solutions has launched EG Environmental, cleaning solutions for work, that is designed to sanitize, disinfect, and protect your workers. EG delivers professional-grade cleaning and disinfecting services that help promote healthy work environments.
Beyond having a deep cleaning strategy in place, employers will need to provide appropriate PPE, like masks and sneeze-shields. They must also set up a socially distant workplace that keeps employees at least 6-feet apart from each other, limiting the number of employees who return to the physical workplace.
A Focus on Employee Well-being
Employers should watch for signs of the emotional impact COVID-19 brings over the coming weeks and months as employees return to work. Signs employers should watch for that indicate their employees may be struggling mentally with returning to work includes a drop in performance or productivity, such as absenteeism, missing deadlines irritability, difficulty concentrating, and a withdrawal from work activity.
Companies should educate the leaders and managers within their organization to stop these signs of a struggling employee and how to help or seek the appropriate treatment. Above all, employers should be there to support their employees’ well-being as they return to work. When employees feel supported and taken care of, they will feel more comfortable returning to work.
Continued Workplace Flexibility
Returning to the workplace will most likely happen in phases with only a select number of employees going into the physical location, with the rest continuing to work remotely. However, some employees won’t feel comfortable returning to work initially and will want to continue working remotely. With the uncertainty about secondary outbreaks, it makes sense to keep a robust remote work strategy in place. Companies must continue to improve upon the remote work structure they’ve put in place over the past two months and allow employees to have the flexibility to work remotely as we return to work.
Additionally, having a strong remote work policy in place is a great talent attractor for when the time comes to start hiring again. One of the top benefits job seekers are looking for and now expect, in their next position, is the ability to work remotely. COVID-19 has shown businesses it is possible to have virtual teams while not sacrificing productivity. Expect remote working to be a trend that continues beyond COVID-19.
There are still a lot of unknowns about what the impact of coronavirus will be in the coming weeks and months, so companies will continue to make decisions as the situation evolves. The more employees are involved in these changes, the more comfortable they’ll be as they return to work. Employers will need to remember that their employees are looking to feel protected, have the focus stay on their well-being, and continued workplace flexibility as we all continue to anticipate and navigate what employees will expect post-COVID.
About EG Workforce Solutions
We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.
But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We hear your likes, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.
Due to COVID-19, most interviews are being conducted virtually. While this video conferencing style interview is certainly different, it should be treated with the same level of professionalism as a traditional face-to-face interview. We’re sharing our four top tips for preparing for a virtual interview.
Test Your Equipment and Connection Before the Interview
The last thing you want to happen during a virtual interview is for your internet connection to be spotty, your webcam not working correctly, or not have audio. Avoid this stress by testing your equipment and connection before the interview. Most video conferencing applications, including Zoom, allow you to test your video and audio before jumping on a call. You can test this by creating a meeting and running the check.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re in an area where you have a strong internet connection. Since this more than likely means your home right now, reduce network jams by asking anyone else in your home to hop off any technology that’s using wifi. You can also boost your connectivity by pulling in an ethernet cord, so you’re hardwired to your home’s internet.
Remove All Distractions
You should remove any distractions that could interfere with your professionalism during a virtual interview. Start by planning a quiet place where you’ll sit to do the interview. Again, since this is more than likely your home, avoid areas like the kitchen or the living room, these rooms tend to be more high-traffic, which can be distracting to both you and the hiring manager should someone walk into the background. We recommend using your bedroom (just make sure to make your bed!) or spare room if you can. This way, you’ll be able to close the door and won’t risk anyone else walking into the frame or creating distracting noises.
You should also remove distracting objects like your phone, put it on silent if you must have it in the room with you. Finally, make sure to close out any unnecessary tabs so you won’t be distracted by your computer.
Actively Engage with the Interviewer
While a virtual interview is certainly different from a traditional face-to-face, you should still be actively engaged with the interviewer. This means using active listening skills and body language that shows you’re receptive and engaged in the conversation with the hiring manager.
First, you should have good posture; sit in your chair with your back straight, feet planted on the floor, and arms can rest in your lap or on the desk. When you’re listening, nod and smile when appropriate to communicate that you’re giving them your undivided attention. Be careful to avoid fidgeting or letting your gaze drift away from the screen. This will look not only like you’re uninterested in what the interviewer is saying, but it’s also unprofessional.
Remember to Be Yourself
Be authentic. While it is critical you are professional; the hiring manager will also want to see you being yourself. A job should be a mutual fit for both you and the company, so if you “fake it” during the interview, chances are you won’t be a great fit for the position in the long run.
Failing to be yourself will put you at risk of being disappointed if the job doesn’t meet your expectations, your skills, or interests. Being yourself is a secret key to success when it comes to interviewing since it will ultimately help lead you to a position that is the right fit for you.
Preparing for a virtual interview should be treated the same way you’d prep for a traditional one. Be professional by making sure your technology is working properly, removing distractions, use active listening skills, and remember to be yourself. Following these tips will lead to more successful virtual interviews, which may lead to a variety of job offers.
About EG Workforce Solutions
We’ve been in this business for decades and have developed a deep network of professional connections. Whether they’re companies looking for talent, job seekers looking for work, or an up-and-coming store in need of some temporary help, we know the right people to bridge the gap between the hiring and the hired.
But what’s more, we get to know people. From employers hiring to candidates looking, we take the time to listen and learn. We hear your likes, talents, and needs. We gain an understanding, and with it, we’re able to facilitate lasting relationships between businesses and people.