How to answer job interview questions about the pandemic

Most people are tired of thinking about the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped talking about it.

That’s certainly true of job searches and interviews, according to career experts.

Almost two years after the pandemic began, hiring managers are still asking applicants questions about Covid-19, whether it’s about working remotely or how their lives or careers have been affected.

Some of these questions are designed to gauge a potential employee’s ability to handle change and overwhelming situations. Others are more practical, often related to how well the candidate fits into the company’s Covid-19 policy.

The best way to answer questions about the pandemic is to be prepared for them and be as transparent as possible, career counselors told CNBC Make It.

From “how do you organize your workday at home?” to “how do you manage your team and stay connected?” — Questions related to how you’ve adapted to work life during the pandemic are among the most common, according to recruiters.

Such questions are especially important for companies that plan to work remotely or as part of a hybrid model, as they want to ensure that new hires can be just as productive working outside the corporate office, said Amanda Augustine, a career advice expert at TopResume.

“Share how you went above and beyond your job description to help your colleagues or the business as a whole,” said Kelly Bowerbank, associate director at talent management firm Kerry Consulting. Recruiters look for signs of leadership, selflessness and the ability to work well in ambiguity, she noted.

Augustine recommended looking at specific tools you’ve used.

“Candidates should be prepared to talk about the tools they’ve adopted or the strategies they’ve implemented to be successful in a remote environment,” she said. Talk about what project management and digital communication tools you’re comfortable using to stay organized and connected with colleagues, she added.

It’s also worth sharing details about your home workspace — such as efforts to improve your Internet connectivity or any lighting and sound equipment you’ve purchased to help you look more professional while in a home environment.

Not only will you up your virtual interview game, but you’ll also show prospective employers that you’re ready to be a successful remote worker, Augustine said.

Interviewers will also want to know how you handled the pandemic and the challenges it presented. For answers, career experts recommend an individual approach.

“Be honest about the roller coaster ride you’ve had,” according to Kerry Consulting’s Bowerbank. “Trust is earned with vulnerability and stories. Show that you’re a person, a future colleague, they can relate to.”

She offered a simple framework for sharing such stories:

• A challenge: Yes, you were in a difficult situation, but you made the best of it.
• Action: Share when you took action to go beyond your primary role or had the curiosity to learn.
• Result: Talk about the last positive result you got.

But here’s something to note: While honesty is encouraged, it’s also important to keep some challenges confidential—especially when they involve previous employers.

“No matter how unsatisfactory … your former employer’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, you should never share how you feel about it with your potential employer,” said Jaya Das, managing director of HR consultancy Randstad Singapore.

“Even if you had good intentions, your interviewer will develop a negative perception of you and would rather not hire you to protect the organizational culture,” she added.

With remote and hybrid work models common during the pandemic, employers will be eager to understand your preferred work style and how it fits into their future workplace policies.

That means candidates should do their homework on prospective companies’ plans and be upfront about their own desires, experts agreed.

“Candidates need to be as transparent as possible when it comes to their preferences, setting out hiring managers’ expectations from the start,” said Kirsty Hulston, regional director at Hays, a multinational recruitment company.

“As a candidate, it’s best to answer this question honestly. If you have no desire to return to office life full-time, make your wishes clear,” said TopResume’s Augustine.

She added that it’s important for candidates to consider their goals and prioritize what’s most important to them for their next job — whether that’s company culture, compensation or the ability to work flexibly.

Employers also highlighted questions such as ‘How have you developed during Covid – both personally and professionally?’ or ‘How have you adapted your skills to the needs of the pandemic?’

These questions are an opportunity for candidates to share how they have worked on themselves during Covid-19, career experts said.

“Share your learning outcomes and how you’ve grown to be a better version of yourself as an individual, employee or leader,” said Bowerbank.

When it comes to professional development, provide details about how you used extra time to hone your skills and improve your knowledge during that time, Hulston said. Talk about any virtual courses you’ve taken or certifications you’ve earned over time, she added.

Candidates can also answer the question in terms of personal development. Mention wellness practices you’ve adopted or new hobbies you’ve cultivated during the pandemic, according to Hulston.

The same approach can be used to explain gaps in a resume. Turn the conversation to what you’ve accomplished in your time away from work, either personally or professionally, experts said.

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