How Covid-19 Changed the Face of Job Interviews Overnight
Introduction
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| Picture 1: Online Interviews Source: (N47, 2020) |
The ongoing pandemic
Covid- 19 has influenced the global economy in many ways. It has rendered a
large portion of the workforce unable to commute to work. This has resulted in
seeking alternative arrangements for both employers and employees. However,
this current situation provides a unique insight into recruitment processes to
mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Recruitment is the
process of identifying, screening, shortlisting, and hiring the potential human
resource for purpose of filling up the positions within the organizations
(Kapur, 2018).
Sub-tasks of the recruitment process may include,
- Prepare a job description and job specifications.
- Identify the appropriate pool of applicants.
- Select recruitment sources.
- Prepare and place job announcements.
- Receive, sort, and register incoming applications.
- Pre-screen and evaluate applicants
- Inform applicants about pre-screening results
- Arrange interviews with shortlisted candidates (Holm, 2012).
Within the online platform, the 8th step will be more challenging. That is the face to face conversation between the employer and the applicant. Job interview can be defined as a formal discussion for the motive of evaluating the qualities, skills, talent, knowledge, and anxiety level of the interviewee for a specific post (Ahuja, 2017).
Interviewers frequently test a candidate’s qualities, skills, talent, knowledge as well as preparation to see how enthusiastic they are about the role and the company (Walters, 2020). Therefore the transformation of face to face interviews into an online conversation will not be easy, but the human resource managers, and talent acquisition professionals could come up with a possible solution by taking the advantage of modern technology. By the use of Software applications such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, face to face interview has moved online while using web-based resources for finding attracting and assessing the candidates.
Online Job interviews may provide the following advantages
- Can maintain social distancing, and can adhere to Government regulations during the pandemic situation.
- Cost saving for both employer and the applicant.
- Ease of use for candidates.
- Can reach to larger candidate pool.
- Increasing the speed to hire.
- Keeping ahead of competitors.
- Can use as an appropriate method when hiring knowledge employees.
Disadvantages of online job interviews
- Candidates must have access to a computer or internet.
- Connection problems can arise.
- Delays can occur in transmission across the internet.
- All the candidates will not be comfortable being “on-camera” and will not be able to present as well as they would in a person to person situation.
- This method will not be successful when recruiting front level employees, employees for the management levels, etc.
The global health crisis
has changed the hiring process, but still, there is a doubt whether the most
suitable person will get the opportunity or the correct applicant will be
selected by the organization in the online platform.
References
Holm, A.,
2012. [Online].
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteUseful post!
ReplyDeleteYou have arranged the post nicely and smoothly. This might be the next global trend to do an interview. Organizations will keep their eyes on the advantages, and they will reduce the disadvantages with time! Sri Lankan organizations will take time to adapt to use this kind of methods.
Thankyou very much for the feedback Umesh.
DeleteAgreed Rukmali. With this global crisis the social recruitment has been come forward and rapid changes have been made to the traditional way of interviews. I see a great advantage of this trend and very less draw backs. This trend should be continued by the institutions and financial and social benifits must be taken to their accounts. I strongly agreed your argument and thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteSo true Oshada, Thank you very much for the feedback.
DeleteVery interesting and contemporary important topic . when we are looking at the bright side of the pandemic , Specially Sri Lankans who has low computer literacy and specially low interest in IT compelled to adopt to theses kind of technologies is one of the main good thing happened from this pandemic . I see lot of benefits of online interview process . only disadvantage is sometimes applicants seriousness can be a issue . As they can access to interviews so easily . Some might just apply without even having a real interest toward the job . it will be hard for recruiters if those kind of people being short listed
ReplyDeleteAgreed Tharindu, Many practical issues can be emerged, in the selection process. Thank you so much for feedback.
DeleteRukmali;
ReplyDeleteCertainly, the pandemic situation has created a new para in organization hiring process remote interviews are replacing in-person job interviews and employee onboarding. The interview process is also changing, going from in-person to video platforms like Zoom
True still, there is a doubt whether the most suitable person will get the opportunity or the correct applicant will be selected by the organization in the online platform.
Thankyou very much for the feedback Sunith.
DeleteIn any situation,the online interviews are a good way to recruit employees to an organization.I hope majority people will use the online method to conduct interviews in the future.Good topic Rukmali.
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much for the feedback.
DeleteThough there are few drawbacks, online interviews giving plenty of advantages as you correctly mentioned. This platform provides organisations to make their choices quicker with more clarity at a low cost. Candidates having less pressure on interview and time saving for them also. Interesting post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much for the comment Naunton.
DeleteGreat post Rukmali ! in my opinion it's extremely relevant especially in today's context with the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, I believe this trend would prevail even after the end of the pandemic with a few improvements along the way mainly because of it's efficiency & as it has already been registered as the new normal
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the valuable feedback Jude.
DeleteThankyou very much for the feedback June.
ReplyDeleteHi Rukmali. There are both benefits and drawbacks in online interviews. Specially in Sri Lanka, we are normally attached to the physical interviews. But with this COVID 19 Pandemic , we have to practiced new techniques like online-Interviews. Most of times it is a disadvantage for candidates and also for the organizations. Specially when we select a person as an employee I believed, we should check his/her attitudes, body language . But when we are talking in front of camera we missed these small factors. But I agree , as you mentioned there are lots of benefits in online-interviews also.
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much for sharing your view Parami.
DeleteAt present organizations are becoming more online-dependent while dealing with human resource management activities. Today organizations prefer online-recruitment media to attract and pick the best suit from a pool of potential candidates. Some advantages are ensured and some problems, too often faced by the organizations during depending on online recruitment. Addressing the effectiveness of online recruitment and generating the solutions for overcoming the current difficulties of online recruitment is very important. Thanks for sharing Rukmali.
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much for the comment Harsha.
DeleteNice Info! Your post make mindful and very nice article. and has explained the supporting materials. All the best for your post. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much for the comment Janrthan.
DeleteWell drafted your article Rukmali. The pandemic created many possitive impact as well as negative impact to the society and organizations. Before the pandemic the business world already adopted certain online platforms, in order to avoid or benifit from unnecessary expenditures. you have clearly stated the advantages of E-recruitment proceess made life easy. To get use of the plaforms like zoom, Ms teams, started increasing globally.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the valuable feedback Praveen.
DeleteCovid-19 accelerates the implementation of digital transformation-based technology, where all businesses are compelled to employ digital ways for conducting business meetings as order to run a business. Virtually of job is completed face-to-face. Employees are recruited through virtual job interviews using technology such as the Zoom application, Ms. Team, Gmeet, and others. This facilitates job interviews and allows prospective employees to obtain interview opportunities at any time and from any location.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the valuable feedback Pradeep.
DeleteTimely important topic Rukmali. Even in this Pandemic situation organizations need to continue their recruitments in order to maintain the smooth functioning of the business. Online interviewing process is Cost-effective, can be done immediately, Flexible, It is accessible from anywhere, time saving, and more convenient.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the valuable feedback Wathsala.
DeleteThis is an important topic that needs to be debated, because every organization is experiencing a critical moment in this pandemic. Organizations must adopt or introduce new systems and strategies to maintain their business. This article explains the challenges and approaches to overcome the initial stages of HR functions in this epidemic very well. It is worth reading.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for the valuable feedback Jackson.
DeleteDigital touch in every aspect of businesses were emerged due to the prevailing pandemic situation. As a result the Recruitment & Selection process was carried out from online methods as you have discussed. It is convenient, cost effective and covers more ground and provide the companies a opportunity in finding talented recruits within a short time period.
ReplyDeleteA well explained timely topic Rukmali.
Thankyou for the valuable feedback Gangani.
Delete