A worldwide pandemic caused dramatic shifts in the way employees view their jobs and careers. The combination of government shutdowns, workforce layoffs, and employee burnout led to many workers quitting their jobs or leaving their given industry entirely. The Great Resignation has left many organizations at a loss for how to attract the best talent and allow their current employees to thrive in the workplace.
As lockdowns and restrictions have gradually lifted, so too have many people in the workforce begun to return to work – either in their current positions or with a new employer. This Great Return provides a rare opportunity for both employees and employers to reset expectations and consider what truly matters when it comes to the workplace. This conversation will not begin once employers have hired their new staff; instead, it begins from the initial meeting.
Premier Virtual is one of the top recruitment software providers in the United States, delivering technological resources that allow companies to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. By using a robust recruitment and virtual job fair platform, HR leaders and managers will discover a better way to connect with talented candidates, leading to a more fulfilling experience for the company and their workers.
As the workforce begins returning to the office and more people look for new jobs each day, the critical questions are: What do employees want – and how can companies best reach them?
What Employees Want
For many people in the workforce, the financial repercussions of the pandemic were keenly felt. Whether employees were being laid off or restaurants were closing – eliminating an entire staff overnight – workers suddenly found themselves thrust into a world in which their next paycheck was not guaranteed. As a result, many people have left previous positions in search of a more stable financial future – stability that includes not only a stronger salary but access to health benefits and paid leave.
The pandemic also ushered in new expectations for managers and employees. With a vast majority of the workforce transitioned to virtual or hybrid work schedules, the 40-hour work week came under much closer scrutiny. As employees return to work, there is a growing demand for flexible scheduling. This might include continuing to work remotely, designing a hybrid schedule that requires in-person appearances on certain days of the week, or a compressed, 4-day workweek.
Finally, one of the most significant developments within the Great Resignation was a growing need within the workforce for a more positive company culture. Employee burnout led many to reevaluate what they want to do – and why they want to do it. Employees now are searching for recognition within the workplace, greater opportunities for advancement, a stronger work-life balance, and ongoing education and training.
How Companies Can More Effectively Reach Top Candidates
During the Great Resignation, many employees left not only their jobs but the entire industry, making it difficult for them to showcase their value as they try to enter a new field. This creates recruitment challenges, especially in some of the larger industries such as healthcare, business, and education.
With technological advancements such as Premier Virtual’s groundbreaking Virtual Recruitment Suite, organizations can streamline their hiring process while providing a personalized, targeted approach to their recruitment efforts.
Rather than relying on traditional paper resumes (many of which may be incorrectly and automatically eliminated because of resume review software), the Virtual Recruitment Suite features video resumes and interviews. Managers and recruiters can write targeted questions for prospective candidates rather than simple “check in the box” inquiries. As a result, candidates have a greater opportunity to showcase their skills and experience – and companies have a more complete picture of the person they want to hire.
A robust yet simple Candidate Relationship Management platform allows managers to maintain ongoing conversations with their top candidates. As employees seek new opportunities, this component will grow in importance. It is a chance for candidates to talk about what really matters to them, and for companies to share their corporate mission and vision in real-time.
The past two years have seen an upheaval in the workforce, but those challenges have also led to unprecedented opportunities for companies who leverage key recruitment practices. By using recruiting technology such as the Virtual Recruitment Suite, businesses and employees can enjoy more valuable work-life experiences in the new employment paradigm.
To discover how Premier Virtual helps companies navigate the Great Resignation and the Great Return, visit www.premiervirtual.com.
