Coronavirus: Do you panic or hire?

The world has been gripped by the COVID-19, or Coronavirus, causing global uncertainty and fear. Determining how we should respond can be difficult and circumstances surrounding the spread of the virus continues to change hourly. But should companies be pausing on recruiting potential new talent or is there a more sensible approach?

If there is anything that this virus has taught us, is that we have an abundance of tools to help guide us through this storm. Remote work is an incredible feat of technology and companies are taking advantage of this to recruit new talent in a more abundant space due to competitors pulling the handbrake on recruiting.

Video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams are being used both to communicate with clients and to interview and ‘meet’ with candidates. This helps companies to operate in the face to reduced travels and avoid human-to-human contact. It also shows that being productive can be flexible and tailored to meet people’s needs and still produce an equal result. This is something that would have been unimaginable in the past.

 

While it is important to ensure that you safeguard yourself with protective measures to reduce the chances of you and your employees from catching the virus, it is also important to measure your response accordingly. COVID-19 is a global issue and recruiting industry won’t be immune by its affects, but what remains unchanged is people and their needs. Many of them are now waking up to the realisation that having a safe, secured and happy life will involve making a career change.

With the tools that are available, are you willing to adapt and seek out phenomenal talent? Or will you let fear and concern take a hold and give your competitors the upper hand?