How COVID-19 is Changing HR Forever

In this time of uncertainty, only one thing is clear: COVID-19 has changed the world, perhaps forever. The virus is smashing barriers and forcing companies to adapt at a rapid pace. Technology decisionmakers have been methodically moving their organization towards digital transformation, but COVID-19 has accelerated this process. The increased need for digitalization is changing the landscape of HR dramatically in a matter of months.  

Prior to the outbreak, recruitment has been the poster child of the benefits of HR tech. In the past five years, recruitment technology has evolved into AI-powered systems, chatbots, and more. These innovations streamlined the recruiting and hiring processes. Prior to COVID-19, HR tech was focused on lowering time-to-hire and making the recruiting process simpler for both HR staff and candidates. Now, companies must rely on technology not just for convenience’s sake, but also for the safety of everyone involved in the hiring process.

The New Normal

With the COVID–19 outbreak, HR had to change their hiring processes practically overnight. In just a few short weeks, in-person interviews became an unconscionable risk to participants’ health and safety. With the onset of social distancing and shelter-in-place orders, many companies scrambled to deal with this sudden shift in hiring. The solution became clear very quickly: virtual interviews and screening. As office workers packed up to work from home, HR prepared to start hiring workers without ever meeting them face-to-face.  

Prior to the outbreak, companies were utilizing conferencing software such as Skype for preliminary interviews. Now, the entirety of the hiring process must take place virtually. It’s now entirely possible to go through an interview and screening process with a candidate without ever meeting in person—a feat that couldn’t have been accomplished twenty years ago. Video interviews have several benefits for both employers and candidates. They are convenient, require only a stable internet connection and a camera, and, most important of all, it enables everyone to comply with CDC social distancing recommendations.  

This is likely to be a permanent change. While some companies will eventually pivot back to in-person interviews, most companies are now discovering the many benefits of digital interviews. It requires no travel for any of the participants and can be done from the comfort of your home office. When the pandemic ends and we set about discovering the “new normal,” virtual interviews and work-from-home will likely be part of it. Remote work and digital conferences are likely going to become the new standard for many offices. In an inter-connected and digital age, many businesses can accomplish day-to-day tasks without anyone ever stepping foot in an office.  

The question it raises, however, is without an in-person interview—or even a physical workplace—how do you determine the quality of a potential employee? In this new age, pre-employment screening will become more important than ever. An in-depth background check not only reveals a candidate’s criminal history, but can verify their education, experience, and skills. Companies need screening tools that meet the new challenges of a world focused on social distancing.

How InfoMart’s Technology Can Help 

ASAP ID is the screening tool for a modern, remote-focused age. It allows candidates to initiate their background check directly from their phone. Applicants simply take a picture of a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, and then snap a selfie. ASAP ID verifies the identification’s authenticity and uses facial-recognition technology to confirm the candidate’s identity. This technology can be used in the interview process to ensure the person you are video interviewing is exactly who they say they are. ASAP ID prevents bait and switch where the resume does not match the person that shows up (or logs in) to work.  

Verifying a candidate’s identity will become more important as more companies shift to remote work. Faking a new identity and credentials has never been easier, but screening companies are shifting to new, innovative solutions like ASAP ID to ensure businesses are protected from these risks. When the rest of the world goes digital, do not let out-of-date screening tools hold your company back from recruiting and hiring only the absolute best.  

About Tammy Cohen

Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record.

About InfoMart

InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.