News & Insights

COVID-19 FAQs for Moir Group Candidates & Clients

Moir Group. FAQ, COVID-19, Candidates, Clients, Recruitment, Finance

In such times of unprecedented change and disruption, the Moir Group are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of all of our employees, clients, candidates and stakeholders – it is our utmost priority.

As a business, we are taking a number of preventative measures to ensure that we doing everything we can to help to contain and minimise the spread of COVID-19, whilst still ensuring we continue to deliver the same high-quality recruitment support, advice and service that we are so proud of and that you are accustomed to.

Please find below a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we have compiled for both candidates and clients on the preventive measures we have taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, how we will continue to support you through these changing times, and some advice on how you can adapt your job seeking strategy as a candidate and onboarding processes as a client to ensure you remain on the front-foot during this time.

We encourage you to read through them and if you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on (02) 9262 4836.

Candidate FAQs 

What measures have you put in place for COVID-19?

  • Effective 16 March, all candidate interviews and meet and greets will be conducted remotely via Zoom video conferencing. Your recruitment consultant will be in touch with you regarding this and provide you with all the necessarily logins and dial in codes that you will need to conduct a video interview. The good news is you don’t need to have Zoom enabled to attend, you just need to be provided with the meeting code and have a working laptop with camera and audio set up.
  • All of Moir Group’s face-to-face events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future and we will look at how we can bring these to you using digital technologies in a safe, yet interactive way.

We continue to ensure we are practicing and putting into place appropriate health and safety measures, including:

  • Providing regular updates to employees and ensuring they practice good hygiene wherever they may go.
  • No work-related travel and 14-day self-isolation periods for any employee returning from overseas.
  • Stringent continuity plans and remote working options for all employees.
  • Protocols in place in line with government health and safety regulations that activate closures, disinfection and appropriate quarantine procedures, where necessary.
  • Appropriate medical clearance and testing for potential and actual cases of exposure to COVID-19.

Should I still be looking for jobs during this time?

Yes. Businesses will still be operating during this time and looking for staff to carry out critical finance functions. The only difference we see is that there will be an increased reliance on technology during this time, and there may be periods of being required to conduct interviews remotely and work remotely.

For tips on how to stay abreast of job opportunities during this time and put your best-foot forward, please check out our article here.

Will I still be coming into the Moir Group offices for an interview?

No. At this present time, all interviews with our recruitment consultants will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing. Your recruitment consultant will be in touch with you with the relevant details, should you be required to do so.

Will companies be putting a freeze on recruitment in light of the COVID-19 spread?

It is our view at this stage, that no, we don’t anticipate there will be. You may find there could be potential delays in the length of the recruitment process itself in light of the escalating health crisis and the adjustment period required. In many cases, it’s still ‘business as usual,’ there will just be a slight change in how companies operate, with a push towards more virtual working practices.

Will you still be running your Moir Group events?  

We have made the decision to cancel our planned face-to-face events for the foreseeable future for the health and safety of all of our clients and candidates. We will be looking at ways we can make use of digital technologies to bring these to you in a safe, yet interactive way.

What do I need to know if I have to do a video interview with a potential employer?

We’re here to help you in your job search and help you take control of your career. We want to ensure your success and that you’re as prepared as possible. As such, we’ve put together this article with some tips on how to put your best foot forward in a video interview. Check it out here.

How can I set myself up for working from home?

We would advise that you speak to your employer about the company’s working from home policy, as it may differ from company to company.

To help you with the basics, we recommend ensuring that you have an appropriate space set up in your house that is quiet, with good lighting, ventilation and minimal distractions. Ensure your desk and chair are ergonomically sound and that you are able to remotely access all your company’s systems and drivers.

Ensure you take regular breaks throughout the day to stretch your legs and stay hydrated.

As always, we are here to help if you have any questions about this.

Who do I go to if I have questions about my placement?

Our consultants are here to answer any questions that you may have. If you have any payroll related questions you may also contact our Payroll team.

 Where do I go to get accurate information about COVID-19?

It is important that you use only reputable sources. We recommend the following:

Department of Health

NSW Health

World Health Organisation

 

Client FAQs

What measures have you put in place for COVID-19?

  • Effective 16 March, all candidate interviews and meet and greets will be conducted remotely via Zoom video conferencing. Your recruitment consultant will be in touch with you regarding this and provide you with all the necessarily logins and dial in codes that you will need to conduct a video interview. The good news is you don’t need to have Zoom enabled to attend, you just need to be provided with the meeting code and have a working laptop with camera and audio set up.
  • All of Moir Group’s face-to-face events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future and we will look at how we can bring these to you using digital technologies in a safe, yet interactive way.

We continue to ensure we are practicing and putting into place appropriate health and safety measures, including:

  • Providing regular updates to employees and ensuring they practice good hygiene wherever they may go.
  • No work-related travel and 14-day self-isolation periods for any employee returning from overseas.
  • Stringent continuity plans and remote working options for all employees.
  • Protocols in place in line with government health and safety regulations that activate closures, disinfection and appropriate quarantine procedures, where necessary.
  • Appropriate medical clearance and testing for potential and actual cases of exposure to COVID-19.

What additional health measures have you put in place to screen candidates?

We are ensuring that all candidates that we see have not travelled overseas in the past 14 days. We are also ensuring that they have not been in contact with anyone that has been exposed to or who has COVID-19.

Effective Monday 16 March, all interviews will be conducted by Zoom to ensure all possible safeguards are in place for all.

All contract employees have received the necessary information concerning COVID-19 and precautions needed.

Will you still be conducting interviews with candidates?

As per the above advice, all candidate interviews at this present time will be conducted via Zoom video conferencing.

Can I still hire via the Moir Group?

Yes, we will still operate business as usual, and will be conducting all client meetings and briefings via Zoom video conferencing. We’re here to support you with your recruitment needs and ensure we continue to provide the same high-quality service and support as we always have.

How can I continue to recruit and onboard people in the same manner as I always have if I can’t meet with them face-to-face?

We believe that video interviews are just as effective in assessing a candidate’s suitability for a role as face-to-face meetings.

We encourage, where possible, to utilise relevant digital technologies available to help you to ensure a streamlined and smooth onboarding process for your new hires, while still maintaining that personal touch.

In addition to using video technologies to build rapport with new (or potential) employees, the relevant forms/policies and procedures can be sent via email, cloud based systems allow for remote access, and ensuring your new hire has everything they need to get up and running straight away, should they have to commence their work from home, are all key elements to ensuring a successful onboarding program.

Now is also a good idea to think of new and innovative ways to make them feel welcome – if they are unable to come into the office, why not get the team to create a short “welcome” video to make them feel valued as a new employee?

Will you still be running Moir Group events?  

As per the above advice, we have made the decision to cancel our planned face-to-face events for the foreseeable future for the health and safety of all of our clients and candidates. We will be looking at ways we can make use of digital technologies to bring these to you in a safe, yet interactive way.

What questions do I need to ask a potential candidate before they come in for an interview?

It is important to confirm that they have not travelled in the past 14 days or had contact with anyone who has the COVID-19 virus. Please also ensure they maintain proper hygiene standards before, during and after the interview and that your office maintains a high standard of hygiene practices at all times.

I’ve never run a video interview before. How can I go about doing this?  

It’s important to run the interview in the same manner as you would face-to-face and make the interviewee feel as welcome as possible.  Here are some quick tips to get you started:

  • Ensure they have all the right dial-in codes they need prior to the interview, and are set up to join the call without any technical issues.
  • Dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the call commencing, so that when they dial in, you are already there waiting to go.
  • Sit in a quiet room with no distractions or noise around you. Ensure that you are the main focus of the screen so they can see you clearly – i.e. a neutral background, no bright lights or sunlight streaming in, no random passers-by, etc.
  • Make sure your camera is positioned correctly so they can see your face and shoulders, and you are addressing them directly through the camera – not looking off to the side, or with your eyes cast down.
  • Make sure that you have a stable internet connection, so there is no buffering or lag and they can hear and see you clearly – and visa versa. Ensure your microphone is working correctly prior to the call.
  • Make them feel at ease when they first dial in, especially if they themselves have never conducted a video interview before.
  • When they are speaking, ensure your microphone is muted, so that they are not hearing the background noise from wherever your location is, as it could prove to be distracting.
  • Smile, make eye contact and speak clearly throughout.
  • When you are speaking, ensuring you’re looking at the webcam, not as they appear on the screen. This way, they will know you’re looking directly at them and addressing them.
  • Ensure you provide clear next steps at the end of the meeting, as you would with any face-to-face meeting.

For more tips, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and we would be more than happy to help.

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Moir Group acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of all cultures, abilities, sex, and genders.