Closed stores, Zoom meetings, piles of masks and hand sanitizer bottles everywhere you look, it seems like there isn’t an end to all the changes imposed by the COVID-19 crisis. If you’re a job seeker still looking for means of employment during these trying times, no one will blame you for feeling the pressure. After all, the business sector is experiencing changes that could be permanent, from physical office closures to remote working.

As you continue your search and hopefully find success in setting up a few interviews, you might be wondering how to handle changes in the hiring process. Traditional interviewing is stressful enough even when you already know what to do, and now that most interviews are being conducted online, the process can be all the more nerve-wracking.

Well, there’s no need to fear. In this article, we will cover all these questions to help you still nail your job interview during the era of COVID-19.

 

Prepare Your Devices Beforehand

Making sure your technology is in working order can keep you from experiencing awkward connection issues during your conversation and free you to focus on other aspects of your interview.

Indeed’s hiring lab researcher Jack Kennedy recommends that interviewees “check all of [their] technology to ensure it works effectively and can be used to communicate effectively” at least one day before the event. As you would in a traditional setting, you should also sign into the meeting a few minutes early and turn on the sound and video to ensure everything is in working order in time for your conversation.”

Preparation does not just end at your connection; it extends to your actual devices, too. Oversized headphones and Bluetooth devices might be useful during your leisure time, but they are a risk you don’t want to take during your interview, as they may lose connection or prove to be a distraction.

 

Be Open-Minded

“Flexibility” is the word of the year for businesses. From base-level employees to CEOs, everyone is impacted by the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. To make matters worse, there’s no clear answer for when operations could return to normal.

As a result, you should come into the interview with a mindset open to flexibility. Geraldine King, the director of Ireland’s National Recruitment Federation, told job-seekers that they “may have to move the goal post temporarily and settle for something that was not the plan. COVID-19 may impact salaries for the immediate future. Remember, a job you love is more important.”

By clearing your head of concrete expectations, you can use the interview to assess your satisfaction with the position, rather than make it a stressful experience for both you and the recruiter.     

 

Know Your Questions Beforehand

While interviews are primarily regarded as a way for the company to know you as an employee, they can also be an excellent method for solving some of your own questions. Rather than seeing it as a one-way conversation, you should see it as a two-way street by knowing that the recruiter is there for you as well.

In fact, surveys show that 88% of recruiters view an “informed candidate” as a “quality candidate,” meaning the more questions and information you have about the position, the better. While asking fundamental questions is still a necessity, COVID-19 adds a few more to the list. You’ll want to know how the company plans to respond to the pandemic, why the position is necessary for the workforce, any changes regarding sick leave or vacation days, and overall employee treatment.

While these questions can be uncomfortable to ask, they’re essential in keeping you from taking on a role you don’t want. Additionally, it’ll show the recruiter that you’ve already researched some of the limitations imposed by COVID-19, proving that hiring an informed candidate like yourself could save them time in the future.

 

Maintain Eye-Contact and Watch Body Language

Arguably one of the most challenging curveballs to overcome with digital interviewing involves the physical aspect. No longer can you sit a few feet away from a recruiter and look them straight in the eye or examine their body language when you ask a difficult question — at least, not as clearly.

Still, there are efforts you can take to make the experience similar. Staring into your camera instead of yourself, as tempting as it may be when speaking, is the new way to make eye contact and keep your attention centered. And, when your recruiter is talking, you can examine their video feed for body language.

As you might’ve noticed, this is why step one is so critical to complete. If your connection is spotty or your devices aren’t optimized for video calls, you won’t effectively achieve this important step.

 

Send A ‘Thank You’ Email and Follow Up

Once again, the data doesn’t lie. Surveys reveal that 68% of recruiters consider a thank-you follow up email an important part of the hiring process. The fact that 33% of professionals surveyed said they still do not send thank-you emails should be a wake-up call. By failing to send a thank-you to your recruiter, you’re risking your chances of getting hired.

Equally important as the thank-you email is the follow-up. While you might be eager to pester your recruiter about your hiring status, being bothersome is a sure way to have your name crossed off the list. Instead, ask them how long the decision-making process will be, and follow-up with them only if the specified amount of time has passed without any word.

Doing so is a great way to prove your patience, respect, ability to follow instructions, and passion for the position.

Preparing for an interview during COVID-19 can seem like a complicated process, but it’s not rocket science. With the right knowledge, preparation, and patience, you can make the situation work in your favor and nail your interview as if it were in-person.