🤗 Job-seeking during a pandemic? You are not alone.

With Monday Mavens, study pandemic-specific interview questions and find the answers to online job search FAQs.

With the emergence of yet another new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, it seems that remote work would still be the norm for an even longer period of time. This directly affects the job search space, too, with jobseekers having to adapt to companies’ remote work environment and needs.

Though most people have been adjusting their job-seeking methods to the pandemic for almost 2 years now, there are still a few important things that are often overlooked.

Source: flexjobs.com

Choosing the right referees

Most entry-level positions do not require job-seekers to include contactable references in their resume. However, if:

1. You are applying for an industry that accepts case studies or testimonials—like consulting, or;

2. The job description explicitly states that references should be included on your resume,

..then preparing the right list of referees is necessary. In that case, there are a few things you should consider for a greater outcome:

• Choose someone who knows the industry

• Aim for seniority

• Make sure your referees are aware and prepared

Not sure how and when to engage your potential referees? Michael Pearless, a senior Australian engineer who has been in the job market for the past 22 years has a few tips you can try:

• Engage your referees as early as possible, preferably before you start applying for a new role, definitely before any second round interview.

• Don't assume a previous referee is still willing to referee again, always ask first.

• Ask your referees to give an honest appraisal of your abilities, achievements, and character with few caveats.

• Don't include referees on your CV, provide them when requested by a recruiter.

• Notify your referees by phone (not email) about the details: when they are going to be contacted, by whom, and give them an overview of the role you are applying for.

Find out more about choosing the right referees in the full article here.

COVID-specific interview questions

Since the pandemic hit in early 2020, job-seekers are definitely not the only ones in the job market who have been affected—companies’ hiring teams are also facing changes.

In order to keep up with the pivoting needs of the company, recruiters started to include pandemic-related questions to gauge a potential employee’s ability to deal with change and overwhelming situations, as well as to make sure a candidate fits with the company’s current Covid-19 regulations.

Prepare yourself for this new set of interview questions that could make or break your career:

• Question #1

  “How have you adapted to work life during the pandemic?”

  How to answer
  Talk about how you’ve supported your coworkers during remote work, the strategies you’ve implemented to stay organized, and the updates you’ve made with your home setting (internet connection, sound equipment, etc).

• Question #2

  “How did you cope with the challenges that came with the pandemic?”

  How to answer
  Be honest and vulnerable about your journey to help you earn the trust of the interviewer. However, avoid talking ill of your previous employer. 

• Question #3

  “What is your preferred working style?”

  How to answer
  Be it remote work, hybrid setup, or working from the office, it is important to be transparent and upfront about your preferences and set clear expectations. 

• Question #4

  “How have you worked on yourself?”

  How to answer
  This is the right opportunity for you to talk about any new skills you might have picked up or how you have evolved as an employee. 

In addition, Kishita Thakar, a Job Search Strategist has added a few more questions you should expect in a post-pandemic interview:

• Question #5

  “How was your relationship with your immediate manager during the Pandemic?”

  How to answer
  Explain workflows and communication frameworks adapted by you and your manager, including the benefits of these adaptations. This would showcase your problem-solving skills.

• Question #6

  “Have you helped someone in need during the pandemic?”
  How to answer

  Mention any of your initiatives, which could include: helped in arranging medicines, helped in creating a contact matrix of critical helplines, donated for a cause, distributed free food packets to those in need, and so on.

• Question #7

  “How has the pandemic shaped your personality?”
  How to answer

  You can mention the incidents and experiences which affected you and how that brought a positive change in your personality.

Learn more about how to ace covid-specific interview questions here.

Online job search questions and facts

As the COVID-19 pandemic might be the first pandemic for most of us, we might not be prepared to live a non-physical, almost-virtual life especially in terms of job-seeking. The new remote work paradigm has raised a few common questions among jobseekers during the pandemic, which have been compiled by FlexJobs:

1. Are employees still hiring despite the crisis?

   Yes, especially for remote jobs. There was actually a 10% increase in remote job listings as of June 2020, and a 20% increase in July of 2020.

2. My interview was postponed due to new health regulations. What can I do?

   Check back in with your contact about one week after your last interaction. Ask how they’re holding up, express sympathy, and suggest a video interview as an option.

3. Should I change my expectations about employment opportunities I could get, as the companies I prefer might be reducing hires?

   If you can, it may be worth it to pay attention to the industries and companies that are focused on posting remote jobs. A few career fields which are increasing their hires include: Information Technology & Services, Education, and Health.

4. My offer was frozen. Now what?

   The pandemic may have upended your plans and your new company’s plans, resulting in your job offer being put on hold. You can ask if there’s an estimated date when the freeze will be lifted, or you can even suggest the company to turn your full-time offer into a contractual or temporary position.

Read more about the assumptions jobseekers have on companies during the pandemic vs the reality here.

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