Interviewing in a Pandemic – 6 Things that Have Changed and 6 That Stayed the Same

Career Advice

The world may disagree on a lot of things, but job searching in the midst of COVID-19 is not for the faint of heart. It doesn’t have to be as difficult as it seems, though, many of the same rules and best practices still apply.

What’s the same

1. Research the company beforehand

There’s a lot of information out there, here’s where to focus your effort:

• Set up Google Alerts for every company you’re interested in, and for bonus points, for their competitors too.
• Follow them on social media, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Check the company website.
• Look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Do you have anything in common, a shared alma mater, mutual connections, the same volunteer cause? You can bring these up naturally, or compliment their career progression, during the interview.
• Check Glassdoor. It’s a good source for common interview questions and honest insight into what it’s actually like to work there.

2. Prepare examples using the STAR format

Reread the job description right before the interview and have examples ready that match it. Many interviewers use the STAR format, Situation, Task, Action, Result. If you’re not familiar with it, look it up beforehand and prepare examples, ideally ones tied to the job description, that you can answer in that structure.

3. Come with good questions

Some of your best questions will come straight from your research. If you know a competitor is launching a new product, ask how they plan to compete, it shows you’ve done your homework and that you think strategically.

4. It’s okay to take notes

Jot down high-level notes during the interview, then fill in the details immediately after, before you forget.

5. Get everyone’s contact information

Collect contact details from each interviewer so you can send a thank-you note, and ask if it’s okay to reach out afterward with any follow-up questions.

6. Dress appropriately, even on video

It’s fine to ask what the normal office attire is, then dress at least one level above it. It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

What’s changed

• No handshakes, for obvious reasons.
• Masks. Ask beforehand if they’re required, and unless you have a medical reason, wear one regardless of your own opinion on them, and if you do have a medical reason, let them know ahead of time.
• It’s fine to reschedule if you’re feeling unwell, or to move the interview to video. Companies won’t be upset, they’ll thank you for it.
• Many interviews are now on video, especially first and second rounds. Keep your background uncluttered, look directly at the camera, and dress fully, not just the top half. Make sure you have good Wi-Fi and won’t be interrupted, and practice on camera beforehand if you haven’t done it before.
• You may not see the office in person. Some companies offer a virtual tour, and if not, it’s fine to ask about the space and culture directly, referencing something specific you saw on their site or social media shows you’ve done your research and gives you real insight in return.
• It’s easier to interview without your current employer knowing. Remote work gives you more flexibility to arrange interviews with minimal disruption, while still keeping everything running smoothly in your current role.

Attitude is everything

If you aren’t a positive person, no amount of preparation or experience will help you beat the competition. Believe in yourself, bring confidence, and even on a phone interview, smile. Attitude alone has made, and broken, more hires than you’d expect.