The pandemic has been a lose-lose situation for the jobs market. Employers and employees are struggling not only to stay afloat, but also to connect with each other in meaningful, mutually beneficial ways. Here are some simple ways to help you attract top talent to your company.

1. Parade Your Empathy

Show what your company has done to help out during the pandemic, whether it’s community service, COVID relief or some other philanthropic effort. If you’ve taken extra steps to address the mental health concerns of your work force or came up with creative ways to keep remote workers engaged in the last year, let job seekers know right away. It could make all the difference.

2. Deliver Some Relief

Promotional products are a fantastic way to connect with job prospects and new hires alike. Just as you would have self-promos at the booth of an in-person job fair, try sending out a selection of fun freebies to potential candidates to pique their interest in your company. Once hired, put together a welcome kit filled with work supplies, promotional materials and other important tools and information they’ll need to onboard easily in the new job.

3. Create Safety

The COVID pandemic started a new workplace-safety revolution. In order to attract and retain potential talent, you must make safety and comfort a priority. When advertising, feature people wearing face masks. Tout your safety measures and social-distancing protocols. If you have a happy and productive remote staff or a popular work-from-anywhere policy, highlight that.

4. Be Transparent Online

Don’t make job seekers become detectives to learn more about your company and potential opportunities there. An easy-to-navigate and informative website will help you attract the most adept and interested applicants. Make sure job listings, wherever they’re posted, list all the experiential requirements. Share tidbits about workplace culture and perks to help applicants determine whether they’ll be a good fit before sending in a resume.

5. Meet Pixelated Face to Pixelated Face

Zoom has been the unsung hero of the remote worker. In addition to scheduling formal interviews via videoconference, consider holding a remote job fair to cast a wider net for potential applicants. A low-pressure virtual mixer could be a great way to connect with job seekers and interact with them on a human level. It can also help you gauge the level of interest in your company and the positions you may have open at any given time.