With COVID-19 shutting down economies around the world, most people have been staying home for physical distancing and stopping the spread of the virus, but business must go on. Those companies that have always adopted remote working were not affected much, but those that were not set up properly for remote access had a tougher time in the transition.
Finding new talent and getting them accustomed to their new working environment has never been easy. With how things have been the past few months, many businesses may need to revisit their recruitment and onboarding strategies as it only gets more difficult to do all of this remotely.
1) New way of interviewing
Technological advancements have allowed us easier access to connect with each other over the years. Today, we have many different options to communicate beyond the traditional telephone, text messaging, and email. With multiple video conferencing options readily available to the public, it has never been easier to meet with people without having to meet in person.
Remote video interviewing is nothing new and have become a popular option for all businesses in recent months. The following are a few quick reminders so that your business can conduct professional video interviews:
- Make sure you have proper equipment (microphone, sound), connection, and lighting
- Make sure all parties involved in the interviews are reminded to check their equipment prior to the interview to avoid any equipment failures at the time of the interview
- Ensure that you are conducting the video interview in a quiet place with good connection and to check your surroundings and background that is in plain view of your camera looks professional.
- Make sure to send reminders to all parties involved for the scheduled interview so that there are no calls or distractions happening during the interview.
If businesses decide to conduct their interviews entirely remotely, it is very important to put more emphasis on showing the company’s culture and elaborate on the working environment there. Virtual guided tours of the office and having more members of the team joining in on the virtual meetings would help achieve this.
2) A more immersive and simple orientation experience
Accepting a new job and jumping into a new environment is already tough enough and to do it during these times of uncertainty is much more challenging. Adding the fact that most people are starting new jobs working remotely right away makes it that much more difficult to get integrated into the team. This is where companies must pay more attention to new hires and helping them get up to speed and feel like they are part of the team quickly.
- You may need to give more flexibility and time for someone to leave their current jobs and prepare for their new role with your team.
- Ensure that there is a proper plan of action providing detailed information about the company culture, products, procedures, and people (including contact information).
- Introduce the new team member to the rest of the company using video conferencing and provide a virtual tour of the office so they can get familiar to the workplace for when they need to go in the office.
- Ensure that all employee information and new hire forms can be collected and processed electronically.
- Ensure that there is a proper plan for the transferring of equipment and tools when a new hire joins the company. Also ensure that their workstation at home is fully functional.
- Explain the effective ways of communicating and information sharing including phone, email, group chats, video conferencing, and file sharing options used in the company.
- Communication is KEY! Let them know that they have access to other team members even if everyone is working from home. Ask for their feedback regularly and see what challenges they may be facing.
- Leadership and mentorship are especially important to answering questions and helping a new hire getting comfortable with the new team and work setting.
- Set clear expectations and goals to be followed. Have regular meetings and check-ins to make sure they are on track and they do not feel like they are left all alone to fend for themselves.
- Proper training must be developed tailored to self-learning with available resources for extra help. Provide training on all systems and tools that they will use, as well as training on the company, product, and market.
Hiring and onboarding remotely may seem challenging at first, but with the proper setup and practices in place, it can make the experience much simpler and more enjoyable for both businesses and professionals.
Contact us today to speak with one of our Recruitment Specialists and let us help you build your team with talent today!