Talent acquisition in a hybrid work world

The implementation of a flexible hybrid work model, which combines working from home and in an office setting, has become increasingly popular in today’s business environment. This approach grants employees the autonomy to plan their workweek in a manner that adheres to both company policies and personal needs, while providing businesses with access to a wider talent pool. However, it must be acknowledged that virtual recruiting can impede the assessment of soft skills and personality traits. Additionally, the geographical distribution of stakeholders, which makes it more challenging to conduct face-to-face interactions, can make the recruitment process more complex. Therefore, it is essential that a balance be struck between online and offline procedures for optimal results.

To successfully implement a hybrid talent acquisition model, businesses should consider the following steps:

Establishing clear parameters and expectations: The management and HR team should develop frameworks that clearly outline the expectations and limitations of remote and hybrid work. It is crucial for the recruitment team to understand these frameworks and source talent accordingly.

Utilising employee branding to reach a wider talent pool: Employer branding should not be limited to in-person interactions and should also exist online. By showcasing real-life examples of the hybrid work culture, businesses can effectively portray their culture to a wider audience.

Developing both internal and adaptable talent pools: An efficient method for retaining talent is to view a company’s current workforce as a “ready” talent pool. Internal candidates are the best choice for new positions within the same company as they already have sufficient knowledge of the company, its mission, its values, and its products and services. Internships are also a further effective talent pipeline. Big businesses run their entire internship programmes online, letting students and recent grads take part from any location in the world. It imparts the interns with essential skills that make them valuable resources for the companies.

Using appropriate assessment techniques: Using AI-enabled tools, such as online tests and pre-screening tools, is helpful in streamlining and eliminating errors in the initial recruitment process. Online tests are increasingly being used to evaluate domain skills, aptitude, and attitude. It is now quite common to find platforms with pre-screening tools, video interviewing capabilities, proctored test environments, and seamless follow-up features. Implementing the best recruitment tools and technology should remain a top priority for hiring managers. It is necessary to provide adequate training in order to fully utilise all available tools, including chatbots, virtual assistants, social media, AI, and others.

Outsourcing interviews: A large hiring team is necessary for high volume hiring. For many reasons, in-house experts may experience a bandwidth shortage or absence of niche interviewing. In such scenarios, it is wise to engage with an outsourcing partner where a second opinion will be good to have, especially when promoting capable candidates from mid to senior-level positions. Making the screening process neutral and bias-free can also be achieved by concentrating only on merits and abilities and removing any filters that might reveal a candidate’s ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other potentially discriminatory factors. Hiring managers should take advantage of this chance to make a good impression on the candidate because the interview’s quality and content have a significant impact on the applicant.

Anshuman Das
CEO and Co-founder
Careernet.

The shift towards a hybrid working model has presented new challenges and opportunities for talent acquisition. By adopting a flexible hybrid approach, businesses can access a wider talent pool and improve candidate experience. Clear parameters and expectations, effective employee branding, internal and adaptable talent pools, appropriate assessment techniques, and leveraging partnerships can all play a key role in successfully acquiring talent in a hybrid world. As the world of work continues to evolve, it is important for businesses to stay ahead of the curve and adapt their talent acquisition strategies accordingly to maintain a competitive edge in today’s market.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET Edge Insights, its management, or its members

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