As we all get fully vaccinated and slowly return to the new normal post-pandemic, the job market is starting to open up and many are throwing themselves back into the job search. Just like with any job search, you’ll have to prepare yourself for the interview and the questions your prospective employer will ask. However, the interview, much like anything else in the job search process, has changed a bit post-covid. There is a whole new set of interview questions to answer (and prep for) in the post-covid era. We want to prepare you for those questions you may hear and how to answer them.
How did you adapt to working remotely?
Translation: Are you able to roll with the punches? Life throws unexpected challenges at us, and that is especially true at work. This question, focusing on how we all adapted to the pandemic outbreak, is a great way to identify whether or not a candidate is adaptable and can handle those challenges. None of us planned for the remote working regulation or how long it would last. It really tested each individual and their team. We all learned a lot about how we work and how to communicate with our team under abnormal circumstances. Some adjusted; others didn’t. And prospective employers want to know you can adjust and communicate your needs during challenging times, so answer with a quick scenario about how changed your communication style or frequency, or streamlined shared documents or meetings.
How did the pandemic change your career plans?
During the year of isolation, a lot of us self-reflected. You may have decided to take your career in a new direction, or you learned a new skill that you’d like to take from hobby to career. We also went through a great shift with civil rights, so you may have decided you want to get more involved to make a difference in the world. Whatever the case may be, 2020 and all that it brought changed us and that most likely affected your career plans. When answering this question, be honest and make it clear that what you’re now looking for in your career matches with the company’s values and the direction they want to go in. For example, “I never considered the value of diversity before 2020, but now I’m looking to join a team involved in civil justice.”
When working remotely, how did you stay productive?
This may also be phrased as, “when working remotely, how did you hold yourself accountable?” They want to ensure you can work independently, and don’t need a constant supervisor checking in with you to get tasks done. This is a vital skill in any work environment, regardless of remote or in-office work. It’s best to answer by telling them the process by which you met deadlines and completed work while at home. For example, “I created a daily task list for myself that specified how long each task would take to organize my time better,” or “I prioritized tasks and complete the highest priority tasks in the morning when I was most productive, saving the lower priority tasks that needed less of my attention for the afternoon.”
Have you learned new hobbies/skills?
This could also be phrased as, “how did you improve yourself during the pandemic year?” or “what did you learn during the pandemic year?” The goal here is for the interviewer to gauge your passion for growth and whether or not your new skills can be utilized in the role you’re interviewing for. Your new skills could also be a valuable asset to the team. If they don’t currently have a skilled writer or podcaster, and you started writing or podcasting at home during the pandemic to keep yourself sane, the employer will see this is as an opportunity to grow the team. Share what you learned! They want to know.
How did you add value to your team/the company while working remotely?
This is your opportunity to brag a bit about yourself; and isn’t that what the interview is for? Did you do anything that elevated the team’s documentation, processes, communication, or streamlined meetings, structure, policies? They want to hear about it! A lot of employees use remote work to slack off while they’re not under their supervisor’s thumb. This is your opportunity to stand out and show that you add value to your team, no matter where you’re working daily. Tell them how you helped improve any of the previous suggestions, or mention any positive feedback you received from your supervisor about something you’re doing differently, and better, than your coworkers.
Good luck with the post-covid job search! We hope you find your perfect fit now that things are nearly getting back to normal. For more job search advice and interview question prep, keep following our blog or listen to our monthly podcast show.
Additional Resources:
6 Job Search Trends for Job Seekers in 2021
How to Handle the Emotional Ups and Downs of Your Job Search
