The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated flexible working trends and ‘hybrid working’ is set to become the norm for many companies, cementing the role of virtual recruitment post pandemic, according to Nicolas Speeckaert, co-founder and director of skeeled, a provider of AI predictive talent acquisition software.

A recent survey from digital workplace firm, Claromentis revealed that after the threat of the pandemic subsides almost three quarters (73%) of UK knowledge workers want a ‘hybrid’ working arrangement, splitting their time between home and the office. Of the 73%, the average employee wants to work from home for around two thirds (64%) of their working week and spend around a third (36%) of their time working from the office.

Nicolas says, “Flexible working trends were progressing prior to Covid-19, but some employees are keen to continue, and this will require them to review their processes and in particular their recruitment strategies. For example, BP recently told at least 25,000 employees around the world they will be expected to work from home for two days per week after the pandemic in a permanent shift to flexible working.”

“The pandemic was an ideal testing ground for virtual recruitment and showed employers that it is possible and effective with the right tools. Using digital recruitment solutions employers can streamline many of the repetitive and time-consuming processes, particularly in the early stages of recruitment in attracting, sifting, and selecting candidates for interview.

“Working in different locations doesn’t need to be a barrier to recruitment or slow the process down. Many companies embraced digital recruitment throughout the pandemic and are now set to continue recruiting this way.”

Insights from LinkedIn at the start of 2021 highlighted that 81% of talent professionals believe virtual recruitment will continue post-Covid and 70% say virtual recruitment will become the new standard.

Last year, recruitment outsourcing company Cielo also highlighted that most employers are now comfortable using technology for talent acquisition, with 82% of hiring managers saying they will continue to interview using video once the pandemic is over.

Two fifths (41%) are happy to onboard staff virtually and 32% are not concerned about making job offers without meeting candidates face to face.

Nicolas adds, “Businesses are adapting to the new normal and we are seeing demand grow for virtual talent acquisition solutions. Moving part of the recruitment process into the virtual world can remove the resource intensive and costly stages of recruitment when candidates are screened and selected for the first interview.

“With more people chasing jobs and employers seeing high volumes’ of applicants for each job role advertised this can be a real advantage. Technology can save companies hours of time and ensure a completely fair and objective selection process.

“We expect virtual recruitment will become the norm for many companies in the future, working in tandem with more traditional recruitment methods and complementing the overall recruitment strategy.”