Hiring In COVID times

Woman taking a call on her laptop while working from home during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Over 22 million Americans find themselves unemployed as the COVID pandemic continues to disrupt the United States. Unemployment is hovering at 14.7% and is expected to rise in the coming weeks due to COVID. During this time, job seekers find themselves grieving, frustrated, and unsure if their next opportunity may face unexpected layoffs in the future. We bet you have questions, so we want to provide some answers.

There is no one better to help job seekers navigate the waters of unemployment due to COVID than our talent acquisition team. Our team consists of experts who specialize in connecting candidates to the role that best matches their experiences and interests. We are looking for like-minded people who are passionate about the environment and bettering themselves and others. And more than ever, we will be doing that very safely! We have several opportunities available. Read the job description and match your skills, interests, and education to the solution you will provide. You will find greater success after considering what your ideal role is and how your qualifications would make an impact in that position.

After the team has reviewed your application, the next step would be a phone interview. In the past, the team would invite you onsite for an interview and tour; however, with the current COVID and unemployment concerns, we pivoted quickly and changed our practices ever so slightly. Now, all interviews are conducted virtually through the virtual meeting software called Microsoft Teams. After your virtual interviews, we will invite you to see our facility as a final step.

As we navigate the COVID pandemic and unemployment concerns, we continue to do our best to make decisions for our team members and business that balance the health, safety, and comfort of our team members with the need to continue business operations. When the safer at home order was put out by the Wisconsin Governor, we swiftly implemented telework for positions with duties that could be accomplished remotely. The feedback we have received from leaders and team members is that the work from home arrangements is working very well. People have adapted quickly, found a new groove, and in many instances, are more productive!

However, we do have production positions that require our team members to be on site. We have implemented additional protocols to decrease risk to our team members. Our goals are to ensure that we are following social distancing guidelines and reduce the spread of germs. For our positions that require our team members to work onsite, we have reviewed the list of contractors and created categories to limit additional exposure. Our WI buildings now have specific separation, and common areas undergo extensive sanitizing throughout the day. Face coverings are not only encouraged, but necessary and social distancing applies throughout the production floor. Hand sanitizer is also readily available throughout the buildings.

Change inspires innovation, and around here, we’re all about innovation. Our virtual job fair is the first step in that. We know virtual interviews can be just as stressful as in-person interviews. So we’ve created some tips to help you be prepared.

Test out your technology – Be sure your connection is clear, and the video conference program works before your interview. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to conduct a test call with you to ensure this is working properly ahead of time.

Dress appropriately – Dynamic is a casual/business casual work environment, and as such, feel free to wear what you are most comfortable in for the interview. When in doubt, err on the side of business casual. And ensure your surroundings are tidy.

Do your homework – Get to know Dynamic. Browse our website and check us out socially. The more you know about us, the more comfortable you will be in the interview. Also, prepare questions ahead of time so that when nerves bubble up, you have something prepared.

Be personable – Help us get to know you! Be ready to enthusiastically communicate what makes you stand out from the crowd and how you align with Dynamic’s core values and mission.

Remove distractions – Be engaged with the interviewer by removing distractions, find a quiet space where you can easily hear, silence your cell phone and keep your resume in front of you to refer to as necessary. Don’t fret if we hear your dog bark, your cat knocks something off the table behind you, or a family member forgets you’re on a call and scurries out of camera view, we understand! We are all in this together and working to navigate through uncharted waters. Everything doesn’t always work out perfectly, but with a little planning ahead of time, you can try to reduce distractions and put your mind at ease.

Follow-up – Send a follow-up note to your interviewer, thanking them for their time.

We understand that it’s a big decision when choosing to work for a new company. It’s why we’re dedicated to helping. And if Dynamic isn’t right for you at the time, be sure to connect with us in our talent community for when it is.

Are you interested in our second shift virtual job fair? Head over to the Facebook event for more information!

Kirsty Bronk is Director of Talent Acquisition and you can connect with her on LinkedIn.