As the new normal enters its second year of social distancing and wearing masks, it's unlikely things will get back to how they were any time soon. In fact, it seems like this lifestyle and work culture will be around for quite some time.
The influence of COVID-19 on the job sector has been the focal point for job seekers as well as organizations. With delays and cancelations in the hiring process, the world economy has endured a lot. However, people have now begun to live with it and have acknowledged that COVID-19 is here to stay.
Thankfully, organizations have gone remote, and there is finally a ray of hope for all those looking for jobs. And accepting fate with a smile on their face, organizations have completely transformed both the recruitment process and work culture as well.
Moreover, the roles and responsibilities of HR professionals are no longer restricted to office perks and hiring. With the pandemic, they have bigger shoes to fill. How? Let' see.
What Changed?
An ever-increasing number of organizations now conduct the hiring and recruitment process over virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Google meet, Skype, etc. Job interviews are being scheduled through video calls, bringing about a fast change in the recruitment process. The handshakes have become the thing of the past and perhaps, the only loss of the virtual hiring process.
Remote interviews
Initial telephonic screening sessions remain the same while the face-to-face interviews have moved online to speed up the hiring process. Video interviews also upgrade candidate's experience and boost up employee's brand, as this method shows that the company puts its employee safety first and foremost.
Video conferencing tools have encountered an unforeseen boom owing to the WFH practices and online interviews. These amazing solutions have filled the current gaps and made the whole recruitment and hiring process more efficient. Candidates who cannot come for one-on-one interviews can fit in a video interview call much more easily in their schedule.
Work from home culture
In the wake of COVID-19, businesses are working remotely and allowing their employees to work from home. The growth of work from home has completely transformed how the workplace functions. Organizations have now begun to realize that most of their roles don't really require a physical presence in the office.
With employees operating remotely, place of residence is no longer a barrier in the hiring process. Therefore, expect increased remote working opportunities and more employees working from their own native places.
Virtual Onboarding
The prevailing pandemic situation has opened roads to a lot of new experiments for organizations across the globe. Virtual onboarding is one such aspect.
Organizations are now designing virtual onboarding programs for fresh recruits. Right from induction to team introductions, everything is currently happening distantly over a video call.
How the HR profession changed post-Covid-19?
These change may be overwhelming at first but adapting to the change is the law of nature. Such extensive changes have escalated the importance of HR’s role within organizations. How? Let’s see.
- Employees are turning to their HR managers, in particular, for guidance on how to settle down in the “new normal.”
- HR professionals are in a remarkable position to be guardians and models of a moral and reliable workplace.
- They have a huge opportunity and responsibility to provide employees with guidance on the skills and abilities they will require to succeed in the coming years as new roles continue to emerge.
- For HR professionals, the future involves developing a stronger focus and a more comprehensive perspective of employee wellbeing, one that compasses the emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness of employees accompanying physical health.
- This opens up new doors for an HR role focused on health and prosperity as a business strategy for improving employee retention — and not merely an office perk.
- The key factor for determining this role's success would be to create a strong sense of belonging among the remote employees toward the organization, ensuring that they stay motivated, know their purpose, and feel genuinely cared for.
Tips for aspiring HR professionals post Covid-19
Video interviews have now become increasingly common in the hiring process. In case you have one coming up, follow these tips and be prepared to leave a good impression. After all, HR is the face of the organization. So you need to give your best shot.
Prepare as you would for a face-to-face interview
Just because the interview is happening virtually doesn’t mean it’s not an actual interview. You still need to prepare like you would if you were going to the office.
Dress to Impress
Get dressed for a video interview, just as formally and professionally as you would be for an in-person interview. The inclination to be less formal since you’re in your own home is apparent, but it may send the wrong message about how interested you are in the job.
Test your tech set-up
Sign in 15-20 minutes before, just to ensure that your audio and video are working fine. Make sure to test out your tech set-up ahead of time to check your platform, internet connectivity, and hardware you’ll be using for the interview. Don’t forget to check if your webcam and audio are working fine.
Set up your shot
You have to leave a remarkable impression with your physical shot. Ensure that your background is free from any mess, is not distracting, and your surroundings are well lit.
Talk like you are sitting face-to-face
Be active, confident, smile, make eye contact, and listen to your interviewer carefully throughout the interview. While actual eye contact isn’t feasible during a virtual interview, you’ll want to get as close as possible. Looking at someone is normally sufficient to prove that you’re listening and involved with what they say.
Minimize distractions
When interviewing virtually, look for a quiet space with no distractions. Do whatever you can to minimize the odds of being interrupted. If possible, sit in a room where you can shut the door. Notify people around you when and where you’ll be interviewing so they don't bother you. Put your phone on silent.
Maintain a good posture
Because you're at home, it's normal to be a little more relaxed. However, don't make it too apparent by slumping down in your seat. It can make you look less interested. Try to sit straight, as it naturally gives you more energy and conveys your interest in the job.
Practice your video interview skills
To get accustomed to the technology and the body language of a video interview, do some mock video interviews. If you’re not used to video calls, you may find having a conversation a bit awkward at first. However, setting up a mock video interview with a friend can help you prepare better.
For more tips to crack your next HR interview, do read: Tips to crack HR fresher jobs. We also have created a set of questions and answers that will help you with your HR interview.
In Nutshell
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed havoc across the globe. Not just economies but businesses too went through a lot during this exceptional time. And recruitment is no exception.
Covid-19 has clearly transformed the recruitment and hiring process, work culture, and the job market. And most of the changes ARE here to stay.
Indeed this is HR’s moment to drive organizations in navigating the future. If you are looking ahead to starting a career in HR, part of your job responsibilities will be to identify candidates for employment with the qualities that will make them successful in the position you are hiring them for.
In the future, be ready to observe:
- A considerable rise in remote work.
- Remote hiring will become the new normal.
- Globalization of the job market.
It is indeed a challenging time that we are enduring; however, we all are in this together. Therefore, Stay Positive and Stay Safe!
Editor: Richa Sharma
