S P E C I A L F E ATURE Ive seen really good candidates drop out of the process because it was taking too long This flexibility isnt just about remote work, says Cook, who points out that for many cornerstone moving roles such as drivers, packers, and porters, working from home is simply not an option. However, with a reminder that these operational and crew members are the face of a moving business, he adds that employers must recognise that the pandemic has changed their expectations significantly, too. This might mean more flexibility in working hours or time off, improved benefits, training and added job security and higher salaries. Parradine says that, in general, candidates are demanding remote or hybrid working structures, flexible work hours, increased holiday entitlements, and strong benefits packages, training, added job security and more. And, says Rogers, these benefits are expected up front: It is less about what you can promise me tomorrow, he says, it is more What can you promise me today? Think differently In the face of these more radical demands from employees, movers have been challenged to think differently about the packages they offer staff. Moving firms, when hiring move managers for example, have overcome some of the candidate shortage issues by removing geographical barriers, says Cook. Those open to hiring fully remote-based staff tend to have the pick of the best talent available. Indeed, the remote working option demanded by todays candidates has an attractive flipside for businesses, allowing them to cast their nets wider, with the potential even to offshore, by recruiting outside of their own country. With so many of the people-related and other skills required in mobility highly transferable, movers are being encouraged to look beyond their traditional avenues for employees to allow them to maintain and grow quality services into the future. I think it is important that companies continue to work on their learning and development offerings, hire candidates outside of our industry and offer training, says Cook. The moving market needs fresh blood and what happens now will have a huge impact on the industry moving forward. Searching more widely will also enable movers to create more diverse workforces, crucial for the benefits they bring to a business and because the next generation of employees take DE&I issues seriously and expect companies to do the same. Jobseekers want organisational values to align with their personal ones, says Cook. Younger and more socially aware candidates in the workforce now place far more emphasis on a companys diversity and inclusion initiatives and statistics than ever before. Its now an essential part of a firms brand, and candidates will decide whether to apply or not based on how a business performs in this area. Recruiters also agree that providing candidates with a clearly defined path for career and personal development is now a must. Self-improvement is a huge factor now, says Cook. This includes learning and development, training, upskilling a route to progression. Rogers says that successful companies are offering employees opportunities to contribute time to their own personal development as well as directly to the company allowing them to get involved in charity ventures and other areas about which they are passionate. More than ever, job candidates today will evaluate potential places of work based on the benefits that a company can offer and how happy existing employees seem people are looking beyond pure 30 FF308 Dec-Jan 23 pp24-31 Recruitment.indd 30 06/12/2022 11:18