How virtual hiring platforms are helping employers hire freelancers during the Covid-19 pandemic

Coronavirus is paving the way to a new era of recruitment

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have slowed down the world a bit, some companies are busier than ever before and looking for top-tier talent during this trying time. In particular, the tech industry has been focusing extensively  on recruiting new employees since the pandemic hit.  

In addition, many companies and business owners need independent contractors to handle both short term and long term projects. This increase in demand, combined with the massive economic hit that has occurred as a result of the pandemic, is precisely why many people have pursued freelancing  and online work as a way to make extra income. 

Regardless of whether your specialty is in graphic design, ghostwriting, data entry, or something else entirely, today it’s simply much easier  than at any time in history for people to make money by working for themselves.  

This is also why it is extremely advantageous to look through a few of the tools and virtual hiring platforms being utilized, and how they may change the hiring landscape going forward even after the pandemic is over.

Virtual job fairs may be the future of onboarding new recruits

In the few years previously the American economy had been growing rapidly with real domestic product growing at an average rate of 2.2% , but those numbers have declined sharply as a result of the pandemic. This has left millions of Americans on the hunt for work and scouring job fairs. 

However, during a pandemic, real-life job fairs are ill-advised because with people exchanging physical documents, there is a likelihood of transmitting the disease to other people. Fortunately, this is all a thing of the past thanks to virtual job fairs. 

With a virtual job fair, hiring managers get to take advantage of several benefits. First and foremost, virtual career fairs tend to have higher attendance rates because it’s easier for people to log onto their computers than make it out to a physical location.

This increases the odds of a company finding more well-rounded candidates. The employer also has an easier time providing documents and videos that provide a sense of what working for the company will be like. 

Virtual fairs also provide companies with vital information. For example, employers can see how engaged audiences are and whether people tuned out at certain portions of the event. It gives hiring managers beneficial metrics so that they can continue to improve upon these processes to have more fruitful job fairs in the future. 

Besides being a great resource for hiring businesses, virtual job fairs could turn out to be immensely valuable for the economy as well. Freelancers are already contributing almost $1.5 trillion  to the global economy each year, and as virtual job fairs become more commonplace it will only become easier for even more freelancers to find work.

Virtual conference tools make it easy to know who you’re talking to

The hiring processes of many companies have already moved online. Most job seekers discover opportunities on online job boards, and employers can conduct phone or video call interviews to get a sense of a candidate’s ability  before going any further. 

Background checks can also be conducted remotely with information candidates provide. You can accomplish all this without seeing the applicant in-person or getting his or her Social Security number, which is especially beneficial because that information is quickly becoming obsolete. 

However, hiring someone without even knowing what he or she looks like is still sketchy for many employers. Luckily, there are a vast array of resources that allow hiring managers to speak with people remotely and get a better sense if they are the right fit for the job.

For example, Google Hangouts is one of the most popular video conferencing options because of how easy  it is to use. It’s free to use for anyone who has a Google account. Skype has also been a proven video chat tool for years now. While it’s free for most people to use, there is a “Business” option that only costs $2 a month. 

There are also tools that will make the employer’s life much easier. Spark Hire allows candidates to answer your interview questions on their own time. They record their responses, and you can review it when you’re ready. It’s a system that works for your schedule and is perfect for people with busy work lives.

This system is also great for freelancers attempting to gain  new clients. Pitching yourself to high-value clients is a big part of the freelancing industry. When you have access to the right video conferencing tools, you can make a more reputable connection with your potential client.

Virtual communication keeps everyone in the loop

No matter how experienced a new employee or contractor is, there is always going to be a bit of a learning curve. Your business will have certain processes that its freelancers are expected to follow, including how to perform daily tasks and security measures to follow  while working online. Not having someone in the office to teach them may seem like an immense challenge. 

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to teach new processes to new employees thanks to the bevy of communication tools that have taken off in recent years. Apps like Slack, Asana, and Trello allow you to easily organize workflow, so everyone knows what they need to do and when projects are due. 

There is definitely a practical component to these apps as well. However, you shouldn’t overlook the basic desire to feel a sense of belonging at your organization. Remember that virtual team building is crucial  to making sure everyone does their fair share. 

Employees should feel free to use these platforms to communicate about other aspects of life too. Communication during these times shouldn’t always be about work. People can talk about the latest NFL game or what video games they’re playing to help feel like they’re connecting with other people. 

Considering that the global workforce is already on track to c consist of 50% freelance workers  rather than traditional employees in the near future, these kinds of virtual communication apps are only going to become even more common. Freelancers should familiarize themselves with these platforms, so they can be ready when a new client wants to bring them onboard.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for more remote work by freelancers. However, that need is not going to go away when a vaccine becomes available. 

As the world becomes more digitized, the number of businesses that rely on freelancers  will only continue to increase. Those employees may work in a completely different state or country, so the need for more virtual tools for the hiring and onboarding process is essential.

It’s crucial for HR professionals and freelancers alike to associate themselves with these tools so that they can be better prepared for the onslaught of work that’s going to be accessible via the internet. COVID-19 will eventually go away, but the need for freelancers will not.