Onboarding remotely: why should you still invest in talent?

While COVID-19 shakes up traditional office-based working, causing masses of employees to work from home, tech-enabled solutions are allowing businesses to continue to screen, interview, and hire talent in times of uncertainty.

While investing in the right talent is key to business continuity, for many employers, hiring a remote workforce is navigating completely new territory. But why is it important to invest in talent now, more than ever?

In our remote onboarding series, we explore principles, practices, and tips for hiring managers on how to make the shift to onboarding. Take a look at why you should still make an employment offer now.

Think long-term

Pre COVID-19, there was a business need for you to hire, so think about why you needed that skill set to begin with. Right now, it’s easy to get lost in the immediate crisis, but you still need the expertise and experience that a candidate can offer long-term, enabling you to remain competitive and boost your business’ bottom-line.

We predict skills shortages will be just as prevalent once we move past COVID-19, so don’t miss the opportunity to onboard specialist talent in short-supply that can choose between multiple employment offers.

Business-as-usual approach

With remote working allowing you (as much as possible) to maintain ‘business as usual’ operations, it’s important not to let things ground to a halt – it’s still possible to hire and onboard talent to ensure your business keeps making headway and stays resilient.

Skills shortages prevalent

If the talent is available now, capitalise on it. We predict skills shortages will be just as prevalent once we move past COVID-19, so don’t miss the opportunity to onboard specialist talent in short-supply that can choose between multiple employment offers.

Contract staff

If COVID-19 hasn’t eliminated your need to hire new talent, consider the value of contract staff that are highly flexible and accustomed to onboarding remotely. Without the expectation for a face-to-face induction, contract staff are a speedy hire without you having to make the same financial commitment as a permanent employee.

Embrace new ways of working

Now is the time to gear your business towards a smarter and more seamless way of onboarding staff that could speed up the onboarding process, free-up training time and develop autonomous, technology-savvy employees.

Robert Walters offer expert hiring advice to our clients looking to attract and retain top professionals whilst accommodating the needs and demands of the modern workforce. Contact us today at south.africa@robertwalters.com for your latest recruitment needs.