Make the most of the new workplace

The workplace has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talked about it with Natasha Bowman, author of “You Can’t Do That at Work” and founder of Performance ReNew, a workplace consulting firm.

Q: The workplace is changing rapidly. How will those changes affect current employees and people looking for a job? A:

Employees can expect to continue working remotely or in a hybrid situation until the pandemic is over. Employers also want to hire a more inclusive, diverse workforce that goes beyond race and gender.

Employers have learned that if they don’t want to experience a labor shortage, they’re going to have to revise their mental health and wellness strategies.

That’s more than just discounted gym memberships and nutrition programs. It means continuing to offer therapy benefits provided during the pandemic and having quiet spaces in the office where folks can go to when they need to recharge.

Employers must also figure out how to provide the flexibility that people felt while they were working remotely.

Q: How can job seekers take advantage of these changes in the workplace? A:

If you’ve been working remotely (and want to continue), talk about what you’ve been able to accomplish in the past couple of years and how that has worked for you and benefited the company. If you cut out your commute, talk about how you’ve been able to put that time back into your job.

At the end of an interview, if the hiring manager asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” don’t forget to ask about the organization’s culture. Also, ask if you can speak with current employees who you could be working with. It’s a bold question, but job seekers have that kind of leverage now.

Q: What’s the most effective way to secure an interview? A:

Send your resume or application directly to the hiring manager, recruiter or someone in that organization. That continues to be the way to make sure that your resume is being seen. Use LinkedIn to make the connections. Sending materials to the company through its online job portal usually won’t do it because they get thousands of applications and end up reading maybe the first 15 to 20.

Q: How can employees who want to continue working remotely but aren’t interested in leaving their current job take advantage of the changed workplace environment? A:

Let your employer know just how much your productivity has improved and how that has contributed to overall company success. Research your competitors to see how they’re handling remote work. If they allow it, bring that up.

If your company continues to take a hard stance on working from the office, ask for an accommodation, such as coming in a few days a week.

If you’ve been doing a good job working from home, it’s going to be hard for your employer to say remote work will hurt your performance.

Rivan V. Stinson is a staff writer at Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.

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