Work Is Never Going To Be The Same Again

COVID-19 pandemic will reshape how companies hire

The pandemic has fundamentally impacted nearly all aspects of daily life, and what is happening in the labor market right now is particularly unprecedented. Service-based companies -- think restaurants, retailers, beauty salons -- have been particularly hard hit, and the outlook for these workers is increasingly dire.
 

Over 66 million Americans are employed in service-based jobs that are at a high risk of further layoffs, according to the Federal Reserve of St. Louis, and while some service-based sectors appear to be booming, there’s little evidence of healthy, sustainable growth. Demand for food delivery and eCommerce is at an all-time high as the country stays at home, for example, and employers in these verticals are certainly hiring. But for the most part, these are lower wage jobs that often lack quality benefits, making it unlikely workers will want to stay in these jobs long-term.

Pandemic-induced labor market turmoil and skyrocketing unemployment is frightening, and the truth is, we are only on chapter one. The nature of how people get work, where they work and how they work has dramatically shifted since the pandemic began, and it’s continuing to evolve at extraordinary speeds. Rather than be fearful of these changes or cling to what work used to be, I urge companies both large and small to embrace what has become the ‘new normal.’ 

To successfully reinvent how America works and establish an even stronger workforce for whatever the future may hold, we need to acclimate to our new realities, and fast. 

The Pandemic Will Reshape How Companies Hire  

In particular, we need to recognize that the pandemic will significantly reshape how companies hire. Consider all the furloughed workers who’ve managed to find alternative employment during coronavirus upheaval, for instance. These workers likely won’t stay in these jobs post-pandemic, and when their original employers want to hire them back, there’s going to be more disruption and confusion about how to backfill jobs and accommodate returning employees. Recruiters -- with their deep knowledge of specific employment verticals, extensive contacts and ability to advocate for shell-shocked job seekers -- will be a critical puzzle piece companies rely on as they work to ensure such transitions are successful. 

Talent pools will also drastically widen as a result of the pandemic. In the past month, many companies have realized they do not need physical offices to conduct business effectively. It’s certainly a more cost-effective approach, and some workers are finding they’re actually more productive working from home, especially considering they no longer have to commute. If for certain businesses physical offices are no longer a necessity, it’s in companies’ best interest to broaden their recruitment efforts. To find the best talent in a post-coronavirus world, companies will increasingly scour the entire country, rather than recruiting for just one location or only within major metropolitan areas. 

In addition to relying heavily on recruiters and widening their talent pools, moving forward companies will reprioritize the benefits they offer. For example, benefits like quality healthcare coverage and paid sick time clearly matter. How successful companies are in attracting talent in the years to come may depend on how they’ve treated their employees during these difficult times, so the smart ones will focus on continuing to provide the most meaningful perks, while also embracing management practices that keep teams focused and thriving during difficult times.

Lastly, given many businesses’ transition to employing a remote workforce, companies will begin hiring for skill sets they’d previously not needed or known how to hire for, such as IT networking, cybersecurity and video communication (for internal and/or marketing purposes).  

The ‘New Normal’ Is Here to Stay

There’s one thing I’m sure of: The pandemic will reshape how companies hire, and those who can’t or won’t adapt to these changes will get left behind. We have a potentially once in a lifetime opportunity to embrace what’s quickly become the ‘new normal,’ and the good news is, today we have access to incredible technology and an army of recruiters -- both of which can help us overcome historically insurmountable labor market challenges.

Work is never going to be the same again. Employers, employees and job seekers alike need to adapt quickly and together, because the sooner we can collectively accept our changing reality, the sooner our post-pandemic economy and workforce can recover.

Author Bio

Jim McCoy is CRO and General Manager of Scout, Boston, MA. Connect Jim McCoy