Finding a job during lockdown is totally possible

It’s amazing to see the plans people put in place during a crisis. Like, who ever would have expected that we would see employers hiring people to join their teams using nothing but virtual processes?

Michele Katz of In Place Recruitment, CN&CO’s partner in all the recruitment work we do for our clients, recently shared some tips and tricks for employers and candidates alike in the job-hunting value chain.

Michele has subsequently come back to us with news of two people who have been placed in full-time positions, with the entire employment process taking place during lockdown.

Says Michele, “While there are many organisations that have put their recruitment on hold until there is greater certainty and an end in sight for the lockdown period and the economic impact, there are still those brave and fearless few who see the enormous potential of harnessing talent even under these circumstances.

“Since the start of lockdown at the end of March, we are delighted to have placed two candidates in permanent positions – totally virtually. To this day they haven’t met their employers in real life, nor been into their offices.”

Michele says in some ways the virtual recruiting process has worked better than the traditional “in person” route.  

“Firstly, the entire recruitment process was conducted in less time because both the interviewers and interviewees had fewer restrictions regarding time and found it easier to schedule video calls into their diaries.

“Candidates also found it much simpler as they didn’t have to take time off work to go through the interviewing process – especially when there was more than one interview on different days, as is so often the case in a recruitment process.”

“In fact, the time to hire from receiving the job spec from the client, to making the offer to the candidate was reduced by 30%.”

“Secondly, going through this process remotely meant that we as recruiters had to truly build exceptional and close relationships with both clients and candidates faster and more intimately than usual.

“The circumstances gave us the opportunity to focus on truly getting to know our customers with genuine interest and to understand their expectations, fears, motivations and drivers.

“We were reminded that high levels of trust should be in place all the time. It’s about getting back to basics and remembering that in our industry, people are more important than process.”

Here’s what Michele’s clients had to say:

“We have made our first placement for our finance department over Zoom. It was simple and effective. It’s been two weeks since our candidate started and we still haven’t met face to face, but our new employee is set up and working. The recruitment team was, as always, professional and efficient, and guided us with their expertise. This has made me think in a new way about our interview process. We definitely will not be closed to continuing this method going forward.” – Taryn, employer HR head

“Being recruited during lockdown was a very efficient and enjoyable experience for me. My recruitment consultant, Judi Reid, built a relationship with me and made sure everything was as smooth as possible. Even with my kids screaming in the background, she was always very understanding of my situation. I am very grateful for Judi coming into my life when she did. She always kept me updated on everything and this is the best experience I have ever received during a recruitment process.” – Bernadine, employee

“Who would have thought that finding a job during lockdown was possible? I honestly had lost all hope when the lockdown was announced and told myself I’d start the job hunt again after lockdown. Rita Groenewald, my recruitment consultant, helped me through the entire digital recruitment process and to my surprise I received the wonderful news that I got the job! I couldn’t believe it! I jumped with joy and disbelief. I’m now eagerly waiting to start my new job on 1 June.

“It really is possible to get a job during this difficult time, don’t let the lockdown discourage you. Apply for your dream job, stay positive, believe and receive.” – Ntombi, soon-to-be employee