Recruitment During a Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on the recruitment processes, more specifically, to understand the types and forms of recruitment practiced by companies, how they were affected by COVID-19, and what procedures were adopted during the pandemic. It also aims to identify the most valued soft skills and the future perspective in terms of recruitment in a post-pandemic period. The study was carried out using a qualitative methodology based on seven structured interviews with HR managers from Portuguese companies. The analysis of the interviews concluded that external recruitment is the most identified option in both periods before the pandemic and during. External recruitment favours social and professional networks, especially Facebook and LinkedIn. Respondents assumed that, in both phases, the use of job search websites is the most successful external recruitment technique. In relation to soft skills, with the pandemic, companies began to particularly value flexibility and resilience.