The ways the Covid-19 pandemic has affected us all are too numerous to list. We’ve all had to shift our way of working in record time – and continue to adapt as things change month after month. But one thing stands out to us: recruiters haven’t been able to learn from their peers for one and a half years! Here our partners Recruitment Juice talk about how to give recruiters the peer learning that they’ve missed.
Anyone in learning and development will tell you that peer learning is a powerful tool and a vital way that people build on their skills. It’s how new recruits turn into your best people. But when people aren’t in the same space, it’s notoriously hard to cultivate.
Why does peer learning matter?
Peer learning – that is, one member of the team learning from another – is something that happens all the time in an office setting. One recruiter overhears the way another handles a call, or asks a quick question over lunch, and knowledge is shared in a way that’s natural, organic and memorable.
There are five key benefits to peer learning.
#1 Learn in small doses
Peer learning is most often about short interactions and shared tips. Information is delivered in small doses, making it easier to remember and put into practice.
#2 Anchor ideas in reality
You’ll see peer learning happen most frequently when there’s a specific challenge, issue or question to answer. That means that information feels more practical and relevant to what your recruiters do every day – something they can take and start using immediately.
#3 Peer learning is tailored
By definition, peer learning is incredibly relevant to your environment, processes and the way you do things. Nobody knows your business better than your recruiters, and peer learning gives them an opportunity to filter out the theory and focus on what will be most useful.
#4 Experienced recruiters build confidence
Peer learning isn’t just beneficial to your newer recruits. It’s a powerful way for more experienced recruiters to cement their knowledge and build the skills of a good leader. One study focused on health in a college found that 48% of ‘peer educators’ reported increased self-esteem.
#5 Build a team while building expertise
Finally, peer learning comes with a fantastic side effect: as people share their expertise, they’re forging closer connections and coming together as a team. When more people are working remotely, peer learning is a valuable opportunity to get people together.
How to encourage more peer learning
Peer learning comes with a range of big benefits for recruiters and your business. And it doesn’t have to stop just because people are working in different places.
What doesn’t work is trying to foster an online environment for peer learning. You can’t just open a Zoom call and hope people will start sharing their tips. Instead, adopt a more structured approach and bring people together around specific topics and themes.
Your online learning platform can play an important role, becoming a digital hub for learning, both through content and sharing. Gamification can help to get people engaged and online – and social features like status updates, posts and team quizzes encourage people to share what they’ve learned.
There’s no replacement for the quick questions and overheard conversations that recruiters benefit from in the office. But a more social approach to online learning gives people a place to come together, share what they know, and learn from each other.
Click here to learn more about Juice and arrange your free demo.
