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How the Pandemic Changed Remote Recruitment & Onboarding

HR Tech Outlook | Wednesday, June 22, 2022

When the Covid-19 pandemic started, businesses acted quickly, urging employees to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus. Like other business functions, hiring is not coming to a halt. HR managers have to recalibrate their approach to recruiting and onboarding by embracing the remote setup, which has so far been successful. 

Let's take a closer look at how the pandemic changed remote recruitment and onboarding.

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1. Pre-screening Candidates

Video conferencing tools were already available before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, they only came into force when the pandemic hits. Since everyone has to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus, remote working has become the norm, and so does pre-screening candidates.

The launch of apps like Teams and Zoom allowed recruiters to conduct pre-screening on potential candidates through a quick chat, allowing them to evaluate candidates without having to meet them in person. Since the screening process is virtual, it also means that recruiters can view profiles of candidates according to different locations. As a result, their pool of candidates will widen, giving them a better competitive edge.

When pre-screening candidates, make sure to ask the right questions. If possible, go into detail about their performance at their previous job. Find out why they have to leave the company and how they can use their previous roles in the position they are applying for. Ask if they encountered conflict with their coworkers and find out how they resolved it.  

2. Made it Easier to Take a Step Back 

With so many things moving online, business owners should take a step back and leave the recruitment process in the hands of third-party companies. Using a recruitment agency allows companies to increase or decrease the number of employees as needed. For instance, if you need HR professionals, you can tap into the expertise of specialist agencies in HR recruitment to take the weight of recruitment and onboarding so you can focus on growing your business.

Recruitment agencies are experts in the process of hiring and can identify professionals for permanent or full-time roles. They can also look for individuals suitable for interim positions if you need someone to work on behalf of an absent employee who has to go on sick leave or leave on short notice. Or perhaps, you are worried about the lack of capacity for a new project or initiative. Recruitment specialists have a list of candidates willing to hit the ground running, so you will not waste time getting these professionals up to speed. 

Another benefit of leaving the recruitment process in the hands of recruitment specialists is they can offer industry insight. They work longer to provide staffing solutions for organisations across different industry sectors. Therefore, they are familiar with the job market locally and internationally. Employers can tap into these insights to help them plan their recruitment strategies.

3. Work Culture During Onboarding 

One of the biggest challenges that HR Professionals deal with remotely is the onboarding process. Remote working has made it more complicated to introduce new employees to the organisation, helping them mingle with the other employees. They also need to look for creative ways to train employees. 

But thanks to technological advancements, it has become easier for recruiters to deal with these challenges. Candidates will receive their offer letters via email. In addition, organisations are now embracing e-signatures and virtually shared portfolios. Meanwhile, newly hired employees are introduced to the team through virtual meetings.

Another way to onboard remotely and introduce workplace culture is to send e-books and video snippets to new employees, allowing them to observe the company behind the scenes. Through handbooks, they can map the company's work culture. Sharing information and giving candidates access to customised software or tools during the remote onboarding process can help them feel comfortable adapting to the organisation's protocols and workflow. By knowing the workplace culture, newly hired employees will feel motivated to improve their work performance. 

4. Created an Easier Process for Training 

Companies have made a substantial move in upskilling their employees throughout the pandemic by establishing and expanding virtual learning. Online training courses were already on the rise before the Covid-19 pandemic hits. And when everyone has to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus, online training has become even more popular. 

Online training allows employees to learn at their convenience without the need to meet in person. While online training does not involve in-person interactions, it has all the benefits of on-site training options plus more, including high-quality training programs. Employers looking to engage their employees, establish a strong workforce, and promote inclusion and diversity will find the free online e-learning courses advantageous.

The flexibility of online training also allows employees to learn, regardless of their educational attainment and professional goals. Whether learning a new skill set or pursuing a bachelor's degree, you will find online training programs suitable for every employee. In addition, online training allows employees to engage in different courses internationally.

5. Communicating 

In today's era where almost everything is virtual, concise communication has become even more significant than ever. HR professionals would now appreciate receiving applications with well-drafted cover letters. Quality communication skills are now considered a vital skill set in finding work.

Since all stages of the hiring process are online, all communication is through email. It's therefore essential to write concisely and free from grammatical errors. Communication must be proper and straight to the point to prevent misunderstandings between candidates and recruiters. The process of recruitment can become more streamlined through clear communication. 

Communication is essential in recruitment, whether remotely or not. Studies show that clear communication throughout the hiring process will leave a positive impression on the candidates about the company. Even if they cannot get the position they are applying for, they will have something good to say about the company. 

Recruiters should therefore communicate well with potential candidates. They must always acknowledge applicants, even though an automated response. Candidates would prefer to receive updates and feedback throughout the entire hiring process. Proper communication during recruitment is crucial to protect the company's reputation and encourage positive word of mouth.

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