In spite of the pandemic–or maybe because of it–now is actually a great time to lean in and fill up your roster with top-tier talent

By Mike Paleo

As the pandemic rages on, so does the war for talent. The hard truth is that many businesses will not survive the pandemic. However, for the survivors, coming out strong may mean leveraging their current condition. While everyone is talking about furloughs and layoffs, a number of savvy CEOs are quietly hunting for talent.

At the end of September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 6.4 million job openings. Smart CEOs realize the extraordinary value created by the very top tier performers. Ordinarily these high-value-add professionals are hard to find and even harder to recruit. But the pandemic created massive turmoil in the employment sector, and a few of these superstar employees got swept up in the reductions and suddenly find themselves looking for work.

Hiring in the midst of a pandemic? You bet! In an article for Brink, CEO of Talview, Sanjoe Jose, has a few recommendations on making the most of hiring during the current climate. It is no surprise that Jose recommends a virtual approach with safety at the center. This may take longer than the normal hiring process, but it is important to keep health and adherence to state and county guidelines as top priorities. Be it a virtual job fair, virtual interview or even virtual job tryout, digital tools can pave the way to hiring in the midst of the pandemic.

If you think about it, an organization’s true culture and leadership are on full display in this crisis. What is important right now is clear communication, flexibility and adaptability, as well as ongoing support for your teams. A top producer is looking for an organization to help them thrive through this adversity and beyond.

Today’s best leaders are making really hard decisions to ensure their survival while simultaneously staying focused on the future and growth. We are going to get through this, and some companies will come out the other side with surprising momentum. That momentum will be the result of opportunistic hiring decisions made today, in the midst of the crisis, shrouded in a fog of uncertainty.

At Hughes Marino, we help business leaders to make great real estate decisions. As the vaccine makes progress, we are helping our clients explore their cultural and real estate needs, regardless of where they sit. We know that if you get you culture right in these times, the next company retreat, whenever that is, will be more like a friends and family reunion.

Many companies are taking this time to incorporate a long-term work from home strategy into their office space, while others are re-designing their layout so that they can accommodate the whole team with better safety precautions in mind. Still, others are simply seeking to get out of their space all together, and whatever the case is we are proud to be a resource for our client’s needs in any capacity.

As we look to the future, our team at Hughes Marino is here to support you every step of the way. We will navigate the ebb and flow of your space needs, and we will find great solutions for all of the great hires you made during these darkest days.

Onward!