The impact of COVID-19 on hiring within supply chain and procurement in Singapore has been mixed. While sectors like Oil & Gas have turned cautious and paused their hiring and expansion plans, others like e-commerce have seen a boom and continue to expand aggressively. Overall, as companies resume work, demand for goods and services has gradually started to pick up alongside accelerated digital transformation, resulting in more hiring opportunities.

The COVID-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the vast majority of industries in Singapore, and this is particularly true of the tech space, says Grant Torrens, Regional Director of Hays in Singapore.

As organisations in Singapore continue to standby for phase three of circuit breaker measures, it is vital they understand that expectations of professionals and their perceptions of organisations have been transformed by the COVID-19 crisis.

The shift of focus to COVID-19 related products and services coupled with significant disruptions to supply chain and logistics has put many life sciences organisations in Singapore on the backfoot amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.

The ongoing remote working revolution is not only changing the way organisations function, but also the way they hire. Many organisations in Singapore are now interviewing remotely, which has led to faster and more efficient hiring processes.

As lockdown restrictions continue to be eased and plans to transition back into the workplace begin in Singapore, a new hybrid working model will emerge with workforces split between those in the office and those working remotely.

The COVID-19 crisis has ushered in a new era in the world of work that is impacting both jobseekers and hiring organisations.

As Singapore continues to ease its circuit breaker restriction in phases, many businesses are now preparing to resume their operations in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. According to Luca Pozzi, General Manager of global manufacturing firm Manuli Hydraulics in China and Southeast Asia, strategic staff management plays a critical role in how quickly businesses can return to pre-crisis levels of productivity.