Essential Interview Questions During COVID-19 - American Society of Employers - Sheila Hoover

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Essential Interview Questions During COVID-19

Virtual interview“Tell me about yourself.”

“Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a co-worker.”

“What accomplishment are you most proud of?”

“What are your greatest strengths? Weaknesses?”

“Why did you leave your previous employers?”

These questions all help employers gather information about candidates; however, are they the most effective as we rebuild our workforce? 

In today’s world of virtual interviewing, social distancing, and working from home, how do employers ensure they are really learning about how a candidate would operate in their new environment.  Is there one question that can gather this pertinent information?  According to Gary Burnison, CNBC Make It contributor, the best question to ask in today’s times is, “What have you been working on?”

What is different about this question?  This helps the candidate think about their current situation and what they are doing to be productive in this new business culture.  It gives the employer detailed information on how the candidate is adapting and how involved they are in the issues affecting current businesses.

“In today’s world of ever-accelerating change, it’s never been more important for leaders to hire people who have a well-rounded perspective and are forward-thinking enough to help their company fuel the future,” says Burnison.

Employers should be listening for answers that show the candidate is changing with the world.  What have they been doing to be more productive when working from home, or to ensure consistent collaboration with their team members?  Are they thinking strategically and open to the struggles of the unknown?  How do they handle setbacks and failures? 

Many businesses are dealing with layoffs and smaller teams to get the work done.  How has the candidate managed this situation?  What decisions have they made to meet deadlines and make things work?

As we all know, unemployment is at its highest due to COVID-19.  Employers need to be understanding and gather information on how the candidate has been spending their time while unemployed.  Are they productive at home, continuing to learn, volunteering?  Do they have a positive outlook and strategic ideas on how to manage their work in a post COVID-19 world?

In addition, employers need to realize what is now important to employees has also changed.  Jack Whatley with ForbesBooks says, “No longer will the promises of changing the world attract the modern workforce. Safety and job stability are at the top of the mind for the modern job seeker—and that changed what they want in a job. Businesses will have to become employee-centric as well as customer-centric. The companies that have the ability to capture that part of the employee message, put it into their employer branding, and reinforce it throughout recruitment marketing campaigns are going to be the companies moving ahead in a much different world.”

Strategic recruiting, hiring, and rehiring are essential for employers as they begin to reopen their businesses.  Whatley recommends the following:

1.     Create a communication campaign:  ensure your employees who were affected by a layoff or furlough feel welcomed and valued.

2.     Be careful in rehiring: employers need to have a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for choosing which employees to rehire.  Do your homework and base these decisions on seniority, essential needs, and past performance.  Be sure to document.

3.     Expanded employee rights: providing essential paid sick leave and family leave, along with seeing the value of employees is critical for retention.

4.     Streamline the process: keep your recruiting process efficient and effective.  Having open positions too long becomes frustrating for employees who are forced to work overtime.

“To get the best talent, companies will have to engage people sooner, more thoughtfully, and put a higher priority on what employees value most in a job,” says Whatley.

It is important to remember that candidates are interviewing employers too.  Having a meaningful conversation during the interview will allow candidates and employers alike to learn the important details about each other to make this critical decision.  “What have you been working on?” will help guide the interview to gather this important information. 


Additional ASE Resouces
ASE Staffing - ASE offers contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire staffing.  ASE members receive a 10% placement fee for direct hires!  Let us do the hard work for you. For more information please contact Sheila Hoover.

 

Sources: CNBC, ForbesBooks

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