The Coronavirus is forcing millions of people to work from home who previously had never done so. This sudden transition has caught many people off guard. If you have not adapted to recruiting from home, then you are missing out on hiring the drivers that are in need of work. Here is how to stay productive when recruiting from home.
Designate Certain Times of The Day For Certain Tasks
As a recruiter you have so many different responsibilities that it can be difficult to choose where to start. The beginning of each day can be overwhelming when you look at all the outreach, orientation tasks, and retention efforts that need to be done.
Recruiters need to be focused on one of the three areas mentioned above. Before you start each day allocate specific times to focus on one area at a time.
For example, your daily schedule could look like this:
- 9:00am – 11:00am focus on retaining drivers
- 11:00am – Noon social media outreach
- Noon – 1:00pm lunch
- 1:00pm – 3:00pm focus on orientation
- 3:00pm – 4:30pm calling/reaching out to potential hires
- 4:30pm – 5:00pm answering emails and wrapping the day up
Each day will be different as your top priority will change. Make sure to be building your schedule so that you are allocating the most time to your most important projects.
Take Advantage of Technology
Now is the time to experiment with new technology in your recruiting process. There will not be any in-person-job-fairs or hiring events happening any time soon.
It is up to you to get creative with the tools you have.
Maybe instead of calling all of your potential drivers, you ask them if they want to do a Zoom meeting.
Universities around the country are offering online courses for free. Try taking a digital marketing course and using those strategies.
Technology will enable you to reach drivers and build relationships as effectively as in person recruiting before the pandemic. Recruiters that do not take advantage of technology will struggle.
Find a Specific Work Area, and Close it Off
Working from home comes with a set of challenges and distractions that are not issues in the office. Kids, pets, chores, etc. all weigh on you while working from home.
The best way to escape those distractions is to find a specific work area and close it off from the rest of your home.
If you have a home office keep the door closed during work hours. Having the door open invites distractions into your office and invites you to get up and leave the office.
Don’t have a home office? Set up a makeshift office in a room that does not get used often. The guest bedroom is a great option.
Noise cancelling headphones are the best option if you cannot physically close yourself off from distractions.
Shut Off The Computer at The End of The Day
Teleworking from home makes it easier to convince yourself to work late. Your computer is right next to you all the time and it is tempting to work extra hours.
Now that we do not have to physically leave the office, work and home lives blend easier.
Working too much will end up being counterproductive. Long work hours lead to poor sleep and eventually burnout.
Dress For The Door
One of the biggest perks of working from home is that there is no dress code! You get to dress however you please.
Online you will see a lot of people recommending that you still get up and get ready for the day as normal. However, if you are used to dressing in business attire everyday then that advice probably makes you cringe.
It is great advice to stick to your morning routine. That will get your mind ready for the day. Instead of dressing professionally, dress in a way that you would feel comfortable answering the door for a stranger. Comfortable, yet not too unprofessional.
For the next few months, working from home is our reality. Each of us is impacted in our own way by the pandemic. Following the steps above will help you overcome these new challenges to stay productive while recruiting from home.