The Coronavirus outbreak caught many of us off guard. Social distancing, fear of an unknown disease, and, most of all, closure of many businesses around the world has left a huge impact on people's psyche and financial wellbeing. As what we knew of the structure of a business changed to meet the “new normal,” hunting for employment online has significantly increased since last year.

As we have seen, many companies took their business online. Following suit, the recruiting process also needed to be updated to ensure safety and minimize physical exposure by using digital recruitments strategies. For both employers and job seekers, being online is a must! In order to properly leverage this advantage the online job marketplace holds during these otherwise uncertain times, read on for some best practices regarding digital recruitment and its changing landscape.

As a Job Seeker, Identify Businesses Thriving in 2020

Events of this year have had a huge impact on everyone’s lives. Even with the tragedies and trials 2020 has instilled, there is always a silver lining. Since March of 2020, social gatherings and travelling seem to be a thing of the past. The economy has taken a dive, particularly in the areas of business that thrive on these social norms including tourism, entertainment, F&B, and retail.

On the other hand, online purchases, virtual education, and digital content creation are in high demand in 2020. When thinking about applying for a job, keep in mind those verticals that have best adapted to the times, and are more likely to be hiring. People with skills in digital media will probably have better luck than those in in-person fields. If possible, try and build out skills in these remote-work areas of operation.

As a Business, Build Out your Online Presence to Attract Quality Candidates

With people online more than ever, virtual marketing strategies are crucial in keeping audiences engaged with a brand. In several cases, online touch points such as social media pages, websites, and digital advertisements may be the only way people interact with a business. In order to attract candidates to a business, a company needs to have a strong online presence. Whether that’s through third-party recruiting firms or posting on job sites, potential employees need to see a brand that’s thriving in order to want to jump on board.

The power of Google search is essential for those seeking employment. To tap into that market, the perfect candidate needs to be able to find opportunities easily. To get to the top of the organic search results, companies must have an organized and SEO optimized website. Additionally, having a site containing quality content related to the business can offer a potential glance into its strategies and aims as a company. If the candidate shares the same beliefs and visions, they are much more likely to want to work there. But first, they need to be able to find what exactly those beliefs and visions are.

Let's not forget about social media! There are almost 3 billion users on Facebook, and nearly 27 million users on Instagram in 2020 - making both perfect platforms to market and promote a business. Linking websites to socials, and socials to sites, ensures that candidates can easily track and learn more about a potential employer, gaining invaluable insight into company culture and other key factors.

2020’s Best Digital Recruiting Strategies for Candidates and Hiring Authorities

1. Hire a Recruiting Firm

The US staffing industry consists of numerous agencies that can make a search a whole lot easier. The majority of them have digitized their recruiting strategy long before the pandemic struck and are using softwares and other tools to uncover perfect matches. In times of crisis, company leaders don’t have time to scroll through numerous application letters to select the ideal hire. Recruiting companies can help cut down the time a role is left open, and actually save businesses money.

2. Create and Maintain a LinkedIn Page

The staffing process is made easier through the use of networking platforms such as LinkedIn. This growing community of job seekers use this online platform to discuss job opportunities, best practices, industry insights, and so much more. Participating in a space like this helps keep businesses at the forefront of innovation, and at the top of mind for applicants. And, once they have a job opening, companies can post on LinkedIn to find easily accessible, qualified candidates in the peripheral network of the industry.

3. Streamline your Video Interviewing Process

While online presence and using the right digital recruiting strategies are essential in gathering potential hires, video interviewing is a decisive factor that allows insight into each of the candidates personally. The video interview also allows employers to build a relationship as a steppingstone in a successful collaboration. To get the most out of this process, employers and hiring authorities should really nail down what it is they want to see from the interviewing process. Before stepping in front of a camera, they should understand what the end goal is, and create a pathway to achieve it.