There are billions of articles on the internet talking about how the pandemic came and changed everything. The world went under a complete lockdown, and people started working remotely. It won’t be a lie we say that remote work is the new normal now. Even after the pandemic is over, most people prefer to work from their homes, and this trend is likely to continue for a long time.
Around 41.8 percent of people worked from home in the late 2020s, according to a study conducted by Upwork. This number is expected to rise to 36 million over the course of the next five years, according to predictions. Thus, it is possible for remote work to increase by almost 87 percent in the near future.
As more and more people wish to work remotely now, the hiring process has undergone a tremendous transformation.
This transformation has come into the picture because the expectations of the job market have changed as a result of remote work, and these changes are probably here to stay. For instance, there are more opportunities for freelance work now. Due to the physical limitations placed on organizations by the pandemic, procedures like virtual interviews and remote onboarding have become widespread.
5 ways remote work has transformed the hiring process
The few ways remote work has transformed the hiring process are listed below:
1. Digitization of recruitment procedures
As the pandemic progressed, hiring managers and recruitment teams relied more and more on technology. Despite the fact that companies were already aware of the necessary solutions, the remote work trend has increased the demand for recruitment technology.
These systems give you access to online solutions that might help you streamline the hiring process, which may involve activities like reporting, job posting, data management, screening, and more. Additionally, you can automate operations to speed up the process.
Not just that, nowadays, recruiters and hiring managers have started conducting interviews, job fairs, and open houses entirely online.
Additionally, studies show that the majority of hiring procedures now take place online, with recruiters connecting with candidates on social networking sites like LinkedIn and Instagram.
2. Location is no longer a barrier to the talent pool
Gone are the days when finding the ideal candidate for a position was significantly constrained by geographic location due to the demand for in-office work.
Businesses have adopted a hybrid and flexible working strategy as a result of remote work. These days, recruiters are not restricted to the location of the organization.
A considerably larger pool of individuals from around the world enables recruiters to identify the ideal hire for the company.
Businesses can now access a far wider talent pool without having to invest in relocation or restrict possibilities due to location.
3. New employee onboarding process
Remote work has complicated the already difficult task of efficiently onboarding new staff for HR professionals. It might be challenging to acclimate new hires to the workplace and facilitate their interaction with coworkers.
Nevertheless, the difficulties of remote work led companies and HR professionals to invest in solutions for onboarding new employees and work management technology.
With the use of these tools, hiring managers can ensure that the onboarding of new employees goes well and that the entire remote teams can get along well with each other regardless of their locations.
Also, these technologies allow remote teams to together efficiently, communicate clearly, and be on the same page.
4. Shortlisting and screening candidates
The candidates were initially called for a face-to-face interview after being shortlisted based on the job requirements. Some businesses even put potential employees through some examinations.
These practices have changed as a result of remote work, say recruiting managers. Nowadays, shortlisting candidates is done automatically utilizing cutting-edge technology like an applicant tracking system, and after the screening is complete, interviews and assessments are conducted online.
Therefore, remote work has greatly accelerated and improved the screening and shortlisting process.
5. New requirements and HR policies
In a digital and remote workplace, security and safety are crucial. Companies have started establishing definite policies and expectations as a result of remote employment. All of this information is communicated during the hiring process.
It might cover things like the number of hours your remote workers are expected to put in each day, the tools the business provides, employee perks, and the supplies employees are responsible for providing.
Companies are now required to take occupational safety and health requirements seriously as a result of remote or hybrid employment, and these standards are typically outlined throughout the onboarding process.
Conclusion
As remote work is here to stay, organizations are currently evaluating and seeking for innovative strategies to hire and retain remote employees.
It is a prudent decision for recruiters and HR managers because even if the pandemic completely ends, these dynamics are unlikely to change.
HR professionals need to think outside the box if they want to bring in and retain top talent. This means developing fresh approaches to incorporating a remote-friendly culture and paving the path for an efficient remote hiring process.
