The COVID-19 pandemic has put considerable pressure on the employment industry. To reduce the financial impact, companies all over the world have to lay off millions of employees and adopt unique work arrangements. With unemployment rates at record lows, employees are scrambling to look for work. This led everyone filled with extreme uncertainty as they look ahead to the post-pandemic world.
The scope of the pandemic crisis was also felt in the recruitment industry. This forced HR teams to modify the recruitment process in response to physical distancing measures and ensure everyone stays safe. In the process, HR practitioners turn to new hiring techniques and digital tools to streamline the hiring process. One example is the recruitment marketing platform optimally designed to attract talent and advertise jobs.
As COVID-19 slowly recede in most countries, hiring will likely return to its normal levels. Although the recruitment landscape may never look the same, HR leaders should take the opportunity to rethink recruitment and talent development. In this article, we’re listing down three predictions on recruitment trends in the post-pandemic world and ways to attract top talent.
Remote working opportunities
The emergence of the work-from-home policy created a lasting impact on workplace functions. More companies realize that most job roles don’t require on-site working, and their physical presence is not necessary for the office. This phenomenon led to a rapid change in the work environment by ending the long-standing debate about the possibility of remote working.
With more employees working at home, employees’ location is no longer a hindrance in the recruitment process. This will also open up more doors for more diversified applicants from different locations, including those living overseas.
As millions of employees today are working remotely, many realized they are more productive when working outside their four-walled offices. Companies may also adopt a new work arrangement called hybrid working, a combination of remote work and on-site working. Hybrid working and other new work arrangements are likely to become a new HR trend to attract quality candidates and avoid missing out on top talent.
Job applicants may expect more roles to be permanently remote or part-time remote to accommodate the expectations of prospective employees. In turn, companies should enhance the manner of enforcing remote work and meet the changing needs of the workforce. Companies can be more productive by creating new training techniques to help employees channel their in-person skills to the virtual world.
Improve employee benefits
The pandemic has urged employees to be increasingly aware of their company benefits, including the benefits they have or don’t have. As a result, workers returning to the corporate scene will have a renewed demand and structured ideas about the benefits they look for in a company. This will become one of their priorities to ensure their health, well-being, and financial security.
Aside from changing the recruitment process, HR teams should consider improving the list of employee benefits. This means the compensation given to employees should go beyond mere wages or salaries. In a post-pandemic economy, HR leaders should prepare themselves to provide compelling employee benefits. This may include flexible work schedules, improved healthcare coverage, comprehensive leave policies, and other benefits directed toward employees’ health and well-being.
When thinking of possible benefits to include in the employee package, make sure they are competitive enough to attract potential candidates with a promise to enhance their career and personal life.
Other benefits may also include relocation assistance, childcare benefits, travel assistance, and health care spending. Some recent trends in employee benefits revolve around financial wellness and mental health. Consider highlighting the two to demonstrate your company’s concern for employees’ health and financial well-being.
Promote diversity
One of the initial steps in establishing a diverse workforce is to recruit diversified applicants. Diversity hiring is not just an HR trend, but it’s a smart way to set the business to success.
Diversifying workforce offers plenty of benefits, such as higher revenue, better employee engagement, improved employee retention, and a greater opportunity to be an innovation leader in the industry.
A diverse company focuses on employee engagement, experience, and retention. One way to do this is to form an employee experience team with a holistic perspective on employee needs and gather resources from IT, HR, and legal functions. The adoption of employee experience solutions can offer great returns in terms of creating developments in employee experiences.
The pandemic has urged the recruitment industry to re-evaluate the traditional hiring process. The adoption of new recruitment processes has taught HR leaders new techniques, which they can incorporate into the ‘future normal.’ As we move forward into the post-pandemic world, we hope HR teams create the best possible experience for their applicants, beginning with the recruitment process.
