As the coronavirus swept across the globe, millions of businesses were forced to make the switch to a remote workforce. Although the idea of remote work had been in progress for years, the pandemic accelerated the transition almost overnight. Along with this workplace shift came the need to adapt the hiring and recruitment process. Hiring and training workers remotely have become the new reality and it has changed the entire onboarding process. While most hiring managers would probably prefer meeting candidates and interviewing them in person, the fact is things are changing and companies are adopting new hiring practices. Given that the dynamic of hiring and training an applicant remotely is much different than in person, companies need to be sure they are following the best practices to ensure they get the most qualified candidates for the job. Here are a few ways remote training and recruitment have changed the hiring process.
Video Interviewing is a Core Skill
Many of today’s young professionals can expect their interviews to be conducted via video conferencing. However, not everyone is comfortable and well-versed in front of a camera. Since it’s harder to connect with someone through a computer screen, it is important for candidates to make sure they practice video interviewing ahead of time. They should try to build connections through chit-chat, solid contact, and well-organized information in order to build a personal rapport with the interviewer.
The Recruitment Process will Take Longer
Getting to know someone takes time and this is even more difficult when you are trying to do so virtually. Be prepared for longer interviews and additional interviews. Hiring managers will need ample time to meet their candidates and get to know them before they can make a decision. Furthermore, you need to plan for unexpected delays caused by glitches and other technological issues.
Collaborative Hiring is Becoming Popular
More and more managers want to involve their employees in the hiring process. Especially since they aren’t getting to meet their new hires face-to-face, managers appreciate additional insight from peers. By focusing on teamwork and collaboration right from the start, managers can get a better feel for how well the candidate will work with their future team members. This collaboration also helps managers dive deeper into a candidate’s skills, personality, and experience.
The Hiring Process is More Selective
Since remote work is here to stay, that means employees can work from pretty much anywhere in the world. The elimination of geographical limitations opens the door to a much greater number of candidates. Rather than only meeting candidates from within the city limits, employers can interview and recruit candidates from all over the world. This makes the stakes higher and the hiring process far more selective.