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What To Consider If Recruitment Is Key To Your Recovery

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Aisling Harrison Blog, Tips, Recruitment...

As restrictions begin to ease after 12-long-weeks of lockdown, businesses, employees and candidates are beginning to finally look forward as they navigate the early stages of the “new normal”.   

Essential and non-essential organisations were forced to drastically adjust, reduce or stop their operations. Profits, workers and the supply chain are still continuing to be impacted and sadly they will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

THE NEXT PHASE

It’s a vulnerable time for you as an employer, especially as you may be having to recruit for roles that didn’t exist in your organisation pre-pandemic. But before you can embrace the challenges of managing a workforce during this new phase, you must build it first.

As businesses begin to move forward, the strength of their workforce will be crucial to improving their productivity and profits.

While it may not be the final stage of the pandemic, it’s a new one, and recruitment will play a significant part in the recovery of our economy and workforce over the next few months.

TREADING CAREFULLY

While hiring will be a necessary measure for businesses to progress in the “new normal”, with the financial blow many have already suffered and the possibility of a second-wave, employers will be hesitant.

Although a new intake of staff may be required, many companies will be reluctant to commit to hiring full-time and permanent staff members.

CANDIDATE CONSIDERATION

On one hand, the tragic and drastic rise in unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has widened the candidate pool for many industries needing to recruit. On the other, though this has increased the availability of skilled candidates, who will be more flexible regarding their roles, contracts and salary, they will also be making decisions based on the short-term. Flexible is not the same as satisfied.

For businesses with temporary requirements, this is perfectly fine. But there will be a number of companies only offering temporary contracts despite desiring to retain talent post-pandemic.

Also, a high volume of your applicants will have recently suffered a job loss through no fault of their own, leaving them anxious over future job security with you.

How you attract and retain the talent that will ensure your business growth is a process that begins at the recruitment stage.

RECRUIT WITH CARE

Companies that have had their operations suspended and profits lost will be elated to resume more normal business activity. However, for businesses needing new recruits to join their team, there will be pressure to find them quickly.

Temporary or permanent, never hire people with haste. Recruitment is an investment in that worker, and right now, you don’t have the time, resources or money to waste on staff who aren’t going to drive growth.

Finding the employees that “work for you” isn’t just about their skills and experience. Employers must consider their candidates as cultural fits, and assess how they will interact with your business and existing employees – especially through this adjustment period.  

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR CANDIDATES

We all know times are tough and the future is unpredictable. Although you want to be seen as a strong leader, don’t deter from being upfront and honest with your candidates about your personal situation.

Address how you responded to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, and what business impact this had. Highlight how you plan to move forward, and what role the vacancy you’re hiring is to play in this journey.

Recruitment is about managing expectations, and you will generate better engagement from your candidates by being open about the recent challenges your business has had to overcome and explaining how their desired role is part of the solution.

How much interest your interviewees express in your company’s future plans will massively indicate their engagement in your progress and the part they can play in your recovery.

THINK COMPETITORS

And remember, your competitors are in the same position as you. And while there may be more talent than usual in the applicant pool, your competitors will be wanting to secure the best.

And how do you rise above the competition?

With the best team working for you.