Recruiters reveal the positives that workers should take out of 2020

From new communication techniques to the focus on wellbeing, recruiters reveal the positives that have occurred in an otherwise horrid year.

CAREERS’ panel of expert recruiters answers a reader’s question each week. Have a question? Email [e-mail]

2020 - what a year! What are some key things that you have learned?

Andrew Sullivan

Managing director,

Sullivan Consulting

Zoom is the first thing to come to mind. It seems Zoom is here to stay, particularly with so many businesses needing to quickly switch to online alternatives for meetings and events. Recruitment is no different and I expect that video interviews through Zoom and similar platforms are likely to continue for some time yet. Beyond Zoom, 2020 has taught me the word “pivoting” has been overused! Yet even with so many businesses pivoting in some way, employers have at times been gun shy to hire due to the uncertainty of a second or third covid wave.

Sullivan Consulting managing director Andrew Sullivan. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Alexandra Rosser

Head of Organisational Psychology Consulting,

Stillwell Management Consultants

2020 has presented a worldwide masterclass in real-life examples of terms which may have previously suffered the “buzzword” descriptor: agility, pivoting, digitisation, innovation and flexibility. It has been fascinating to see how organisations have rapidly transformed when necessity rather than choice-dictated strategy. We have also learned so much about working from home (WFH), dispelling myths (for example, low productivity) but also exposing key risks such as the psychological impacts of isolation and the loss of defined working days. I have been impressed to see so many organisations taking serious measures to protect employee mental health through this time. I have also learned how to use numerous different virtual platforms to deliver my services and suggest many of us would have advanced our digital literacy as a result of this year.

Stillwell Management Consultants organisational psychology consulting head Alexandra Rosser. Picture: Mike Burton

Lisa Morris

Director,

Hays

2020 has been a year of disruption like no other, so it’s fair to say there have been many lessons learnt – so much so that it’s difficult to narrow them down! For me, one has to be the value of creativity. The challenges, changes and disruption faced in 2020 forced us to think and work more creatively to devise solutions. Another has been the power of pulling together as one collective. Our eyes have been opened to how powerful our efforts are when we all work together – whether remotely or physically distanced. The importance of communication from the top has also been highlighted. There have been countless cases of leaders stepping up and communicating more regularly, transparently and visibly than ever before. I know I certainly took every opportunity to talk to staff about what was going on in the organisation and such honesty and transparency developed trusting and supportive relationships and a sense of inclusion and togetherness – even when working remotely.

Hays director Lisa Morris. Picture: Matt Loxton

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