Keeping business continuity during uncertain economic times
In light of the global situation caused by Covid-19 and its impact on the global economy, I interviewed Darren Wentworth, senior partner from Frazer Jones – global HR recruitment specialists and a sister brand to Carter Murray under the SR Group. In our interview with Darren, he briefly discussed how many clients are continuing to operate with a business as usual approach, how some candidates are finding this as a good time to look for a new role and how recruitment processes aren’t being affected to the degree that people may think.
What are you hearing from clients?
Of course, the priority for all our clients is the safety of its staff and potential employees and whilst constantly monitoring what the authorities are saying, most businesses have reassured us it’s very much business as usual. With remote working being the norm in most businesses now-a-days, the ability to interview via video call and phone can negate the need to travel allowing recruitment processes not to be delayed.
The majority of firms we have spoken with haven’t changed their hiring plans for 2020 and are still continuing to recruit albeit a few at a slower rate than normal. One senior HR Director told me “Our businesses need to grow and we will continue to do our job and make that happen. The worst thing we can do now is freeze hiring as the impact of that will hit us hard later in the year”.
We will do our best to continue working with our clients as normal, assisting them with their hiring processes. In the first two weeks of March we had a surge in activity and remain hopeful this will continue.
Have you noticed candidates halting their job search?
On the contrary. Whilst some candidates are naturally cautious about moving jobs in uncertain economic environments, we’ve found this to be the few not the many. If someone has decided to move jobs and is determined to do so, the situation regarding coronavirus won’t change their motivation. Some candidates are even finding this a good time to look for a new role, with one of our candidates saying “The competition may shrink as those who are too cautious to move delay their plans, and those that are more active can take advantage”. For candidates wanting to make the move, we are supporting them through the entire process to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible.
How do you think this will impact the SR Group more broadly?
Whilst some businesses may be in a state of flux assessing how to react, a particular area of recruitment that is benefiting is the temporary and interim markets. Many businesses have critical roles that need hiring and if recruitment processes for full-time hires is slower than usual, the interim market is where businesses can benefit from a more agile temporary solution.
Additionally, demand for candidates in roles such as employee communication, crisis communication and Health & Safety will be gathering pace. All the brands within the SR Group (Frazer Jones, Taylor Root, Brewer Morris and Carter Murray) have a very strong footprint in their niche markets and our very strong networks position us well to continue supporting our clients and candidates during these uncertain and somewhat volatile times.