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With most job interviews now taking place via video call, Madeleine Barber speaks to Basia Kolosinska, director at C&M Recruitment, to find out more about how recruitment in the travel industry has changed since the coronavirus crisis.
Widespread recruitment freezes, retracted job offers and delayed start dates are some of the devastating symptoms of the coronavirus crisis but, for the few travel companies that might be considering recruiting, now is an opportune time, believes Basia Kolosinska, director at C&M Recruitment.
“If you’ve got a strong plan for growth, now is a good time to recruit because there are lots of [potential] candidates on furlough that have the time to go through the interview process,” explains Kolosinska.
“It’s a balance – there’s threat, but there’s opportunity too,” she adds, explaining that with the growing pool of newly unemployed travel professionals, the industry risks losing some of its best talent.
But the way in which people recruit – and are being recruited – has changed dramatically since the UK lockdown began in March.
“[Recruitment is] all done via video now, and I really don’t see it being the same as it was for a very long time,” says Kolosinska.
“You have to prepare and be ready to do interviews on Zoom,” she adds (see box).
Kolosinska is confident video interviews will never permanently replace face-to-face interviews, but points out that now people realise it’s a viable way of making contact with someone it’s likely here to stay: “It doesn’t take long to form a habit and now everyone is used to [video calls], Zoom is just another tool in the recruitment toolbox.
“Actually, using Zoom as an interview tool at the first stage [of the recruitment process] is a lot quicker because people don’t have to travel to get to the interview and you can ‘see’ people straight away – it’s going to be a benefit moving forward,” Kolosinska predicts.
While some markets such as villa holidays and ski are starting to pick up again, and finance and marketing are booming as companies shift their focus, there do remain tough times ahead in the recruitment space.
Kolosinska predicts a shrunken market and new or different requirements from both travel companies and their candidates, for example ability to adhere to social distancing measures and capabilities of working from home. There will also be fewer jobs in the industry and unemployment will have increased, so candidates will be competing against more people for the same role – everyone is going to have to adapt.
“It’s going to be a new normal, like we’re seeing across the whole world,” she says. “I wish that wasn’t the case but we need to be realistic.”
Kolosinska gives her top tips for performing well in a video interview, whether you’re the interviewee or interviewer
Look professional
Do everything you would do before a face-to-face job interview, whether that’s buying a new suit, putting on make-up or fixing your hair. It’s important to be smart because if you look the part you’re going to exude confidence.
Enhance your enthusiasm
Be more upbeat and enthusiastic than you would be normally, as passion can easily get lost in video calls.
Think about your setting
Keep your background simple or use an unassuming virtual background so it doesn’t detract from you. Aim to avoid disturbances by people or pets in your household, but don’t worry if it’s unavoidable – making light of situations like this can actually be a good way to show your personality.
Test yourself
Use the record function in Zoom to do a practice run. Watch it back, or ask a friend or family member to watch it, and assess your body language and gesticulation. Always sit up straight, smile and don’t fidget.
Test your tech
Download any apps or software you need for the interview in advance and ensure you’re confident with the technology you’re using.
