Business managers need to know that experienced, reputable recruitment agencies are no strangers to adapting to the changing landscape of recruitment. Recruitment agencies have weathered the storms of economic downturn and recession in the past and are still at the helm, helping businesses navigate their way through these unchartered waters. This article explores some of the reasons that recruitment agencies are still playing a pivotal role, as businesses’ needs adjust, in line with this ever-evolving economic and employment landscape.

Recruiters remain on top of recruiting trends and industry developments

Seasoned recruiters have a formidable host of carefully honed skills which help keep them abreast of rapidly changing hiring needs. More than ever before, recruiters are playing a strategic role in advising business leaders, by staying on top of recruitment trends and industry developments as they enfold. Recruiters have always adopted an adaptable mindset since the recruiting sphere is not static but always evolving. Staying finely tuned into target audiences’ and niche industries’ needs, has always been central to recruitment agencies’ mandate. Hiring trends will continue to change, both in the immediate term and further down the line, as the country recovers, as it always has, from previous recessions or downturn. Recruiters can give valuable insight into a business’ existing workforce and future recruitment needs in these unprecedented, challenging times. Access to and effective data-analysis, can put recruiters in the most strategic position to address businesses’ recruitment needs in line with these latest trends.

Recognising the value of transferable skills

There has been much published on the mental health cost to employees, as a direct result of the employment changes brought about by the Covid -19 virus. This period will be inexorably linked to conversations about unemployment and recession. It’s vital for the wellbeing of this great nation to get people back into work as quickly as possible. Some businesses, hardest hit at this time, have had to lay off exceptionally talented individuals. However, these resilient candidates are ready and willing to take up alternative employment opportunities, if steered in the correct direction by experienced recruiters, who can recognise and tap into the excellent set of transferable skills they have to offer other businesses. Encouraging businesses to think “outside the box” when it comes to considering these multi-skilled candidates, has led to many candidates being suitably matched in more innovative ways. Where businesses do not feel able to commit to longer-term employment contracts, shorter temporary arrangements have been secured by recruitment agencies from an excellent pool of talent.

Providing an excellent candidate experience

The limitations caused by Covid-19 have acted as a catalyst to further centralising some aspects of recruitment, allowing recruitment agencies to speed up the conversion rate from the application stage through to the offering stage, without compromising the candidate experience or finding the most appropriate match for the business client. Operating virtually and managing to conduct seamless job interviews with the use of video calling technology at record speed, has caused recruiters to rethink some of more traditional processes. Expanding the client reach with the greater availability of candidates and adapting interview techniques to optimise the candidate assessment while still incorporating the human elements of empathy and patience, created a consistent streamlined process which provided recruiters with clearer insight into the holistic candidate recruitment experience. This has proved valuable for candidates and businesses alike.

Having their finger on the pulse of the organisation places them in a unique position to help directors and managers stay on target, to achieve their vision and goals. Here are just a few of the myriad of ways Executive Assistants are adding value to businesses – proving that they are a must for all successful businesses.

Tech savvy

The indispensable, technological skills’ set of EA’s have proved vital for the smooth transitioning to working remotely. Virtual meetings are a must for keeping the CEO in front of their work team and client/customers. EA’s are familiar with all the features of the web-based video conferencing tools such as Zoom, TeamPlayer and Skype. They schedule meetings in advance maintaining a valuable line of communication between all business stakeholders. EA’s can add a professional touch by ensuring the smooth running of these virtual meetings, maximising all the screen-sharing features, sharing meeting agendas, resources and even other more pictorial information in the most visual, interactive and engaging way. They keep accurate records of these meetings, ensuring minutes are sent out via email to all participants as required.

They save time

EA’s manage the many time-consuming administrative tasks that comes with any business. They play a key role in keeping the business running seamlessly, allowing the directors to focus more productively on the bigger picture. An EA can act as a buffer between directors and employees or client/customers, answering day to day questions ultimately saving time and money. An efficient EA makes it a priority to be well- informed about the business, its goals and the vision and the priorities of its executives. They can save time by carrying out essential, time-consuming, background research on aspects of the organisation, such as market trends enabling directors to make more informed decisions and staying at the cutting edge of their business.

They represent you

EA’s are perceived as the face and voice of the organisation. Liaising effectively with staff and client/customers they can add prestige and professionalism to the business image and culture. When directors are caught up with maintaining and expanding the business the all-important communication and personal touch with clients and staff can be easily lost. EA’s are that link, bridging the communication gap. EA’s who are the “right fit” and have make it their business to know their directors well have been found to take initiatives to pre-empt oversights of their busy director. Many directors would admit that their EA’s keep them on time for meetings, remind them of important events or personal details of staff or clients and keep them on target to meet deadlines. They would be lost without their EA!

Working remotely for most of us has become the norm, with many employees adjusting to this increasingly familiar mode of working. This has posed a host of new challenges for many business managers for whom remote management is unchartered waters. Given that this is likely to be at least the foreseeable future, if not the long-term future of the workplace, managers and business owners need to adapt. It’s crucial therefore to be able to prioritise managing a remote team effectively without detriment to productivity. Whether you are already four months into remote working or are newly managing a remote team, here are some important practices to adopt in order to promote a more fulfilled and productive team!

Utilise technology to boost team spirt and establish a community bond
Use virtual platforms to build a connection with your employees and in turn encourage your employees to do this with their colleagues. Take steps to protect people from feeling isolated. Building a team spirit by introducing a weekly virtual quiz or virtual Friday drinks will maintain a continued sense of camaraderie. It is essential to keeping your team upbeat and positive, reminding employees that they are still connected to the social aspect of the office. Investing in the technology platforms to support and maintain effective communication will ensure that this collaboration is possible. Provide the staff training and technical support to allow all employees to use the tools confidently and fruitfully. Ultimately such an investment will reap dividends in job satisfaction and staff productivity.

Implement reminders of short-term goals and long-term goals
As many businesses were forced to make the transition to working remotely, the businesses goals may have changed to reflect unexpected external challenges. Ensure employees are kept informed about these revised goals and are continually kept abreast of changes as they enfold. This allows employees to prioritise tasks and to stay on target. As far as possible, allow employees at all levels of the business the chance to have input into the future vision and goals of your business. This will help instil in all the staff a sense of empowerment and ownership in these uncertain times. Agree and set personal goals for individual employees too, to allow them to better measure their own productivity.

Be mindful of people’s mental wellbeing
The unprecedented challenges posed by this world-wide pandemic has affected all types of people in different ways, with many employees admitting that they are struggling to stay positive and motivated. It’s important that business managers acknowledge the tough personal and career decisions employees are facing and that employees feel supported and valued. Provide them with help and tips on how to look after their mental wellbeing and use inquiry techniques to help them achieve their goals rather than constantly checking in on their progress and numbers.

Acknowledge employees’ effort publicly and trust Your Team
It’s more important than ever to keep up staff morale; telling your team members they’ve done a good job virtually may be more difficult than when at the office. A congratulations over an email may not always hold the same weight. Use your virtual video calls to celebrate each team member’s efforts and collate these acknowledgements in an email with the team included! Introducing an award scheme for achievements may be more important than ever. Acknowledge that you trust that your employees are putting in the work. Set up work-from-home guidelines in order to respect boundaries and foster a healthy work- life balance. Limiting emails and calls to designated hours ensures employees are not working around the clock and helps them feel respected. Afterall your employees are your business’ greatest asset.