How to prepare for job interviews during the pandemic and the questions you must ace

How to prepare for job interviews during the pandemic and the questions you must ace

• By Staff Writer

How to prepare for job interviews during the pandemic and the questions you must ace

Learn during the pandemic

According to a report by ET, finding a job right now is rigid but not impossible. While the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout have left the job market attractive bleak, billionaire Mark Cuban believes there is a way job-hunters can differentiate themselves from the crowd- by skilling up. “The first question every interviewer is going to ask you is: ‘What did you learn during the pandemic of 2020? What skills did you add?‘” said Cuban in an interview.

Beef up your skills

“Wherever you want to work, use this time to become great at it because that’s where the opportunities start to open up,” he added. “If you just sit back and wonder what’s next, then it becomes all the more challenging. Keep on adding to your skill-set, no matter what it is. I don’t care if you’re a welder, or you want to learn how to [computer] program, you want to learn about artificial intelligence, whatever it is.... Unless you’re trying to be a career gamer or esports athlete, you’ve got to get off the games and really focus on taking classes or doing something to increase your skill-set.”

Practice your answers and your presence

It’s important to answer concisely and listen closely, especially so for a virtual interview since you can’t pick up on cues that you might have in person. Practice your posture as well, because it’s important to communicate that you are engaged in the conversation and are excited about the opportunity. One tip is to sit up straight and on the edge of your seat. Pull your shoulders back. This conveys confidence. If you’re still unsure, set up a redicule call with a friend to check the setting and posture.

Some rules still apply

Irrespective of the pandemic raging on, some basic rules still apply. Re-read the job description for the role and identify skills and quality required. Next, research the company and industry. The company website, annual reports, news articles, LinkedIn profiles of interviewers and future team members are part of your homework. The better your preparation, the higher will be your confidence in facing the interview.

Ask questions to understand better

According to Devashish Chakravarty, Director, Executive Search at QuezX.com, at the end of the interview, be prepared to pose questions to the panel, if invited. Your questions reflect your research and interest. “Given the latest government ruling, how is the company planning to change its market positioning?” or “What kind of targets can I expect to be responsible for?” are good examples. Follow up with a ‘thank you’ email after the interview, where possible. Finally, connect with the recruitment consultant or talent manager for feedback after a few days.

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