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Most companies nowadays prefer virtual interviews during their hiring process to protect both their employees and applicants. If you find yourself in a different scenario wherein your interviewer is requesting an in-person interview, do not let this stop you from getting the job. Simply follow these tips to ensure your health and safety and, at the same time, secure this new opportunity.
1. Request for a virtual interview
Since we live in a pandemic, the best protection we have is limiting ourselves from exposure. Employers are also on the lookout for the health and safety of their employees. Hence, a request to conduct your interview online is perfectly understandable.
If your interviewer’s initial request requires a physical visit, take your chance and ask if a virtual interview is feasible. You can do this without appearing too demanding. Simply explain your current situation to your interviewer and ask if it’s possible to remotely conduct the interview. Check with them if you have the same availability date. If not, be a bit more flexible and compromise with the situation by adhering to their preferred schedule.
2. Check the company’s health and safety protocols
You’ve done your part by respectfully asking for a virtual interview. Unfortunately, the nature of the job requires your actual presence in the hiring process. If this is the case, now is the time to be extra cautious and be extra vigilant.
Companies are taking precautionary measures to ensure that none of their employees will be compromised by the virus. Still, you don’t have to rely solely on their methods. As an applicant, especially in the time of this pandemic, your health and safety should always come first. Before arriving in for the interview:
- Check with the HR personnel the safety protocols implemented by the company that you should know and observe.
- Ask how many applicants they usually accommodate in a day
Being extra careful shows your willingness to adapt to the company policies even if it entails additional effort from your end.
3. Let go of traditional greetings and interview setup
Finally, the day of the interview arrives, and you are about to meet your potential employer. Pre-Covid times, handshakes are usually done before and after your interview. Nowadays, physical contact is such a no-no. Skip the usual handshake and opt for other ways of extending your greeting, such as bowing your head or placing your hand on your chest. Don’t forget to keep your face mask on during the interview to protect yourself and the interviewer. Lastly, don’t forget to observe physical distancing. Following these simple protocols will give both parties a sense of security that you’ve done your part without compromising health and safety.
4. Check if the job and the company is right for you
Job competition is tough, especially now that we are in the middle of a pandemic. As job seekers, often, our focus is to get hired to survive hard times. With this as our sole focus, we tend to forget the need to evaluate if the job and the company fit our skills and personal values.
Once the interviewer turns the table and asks if you have any questions, take advantage of this time to know more about the company and its culture. Ask the interviewer what actions the company has done to protect the health and safety, and at the same time, the job security of its employees. Check if they allow remote working and how do they support their employees who are working from home. By asking the right questions, it emphasizes your interest in the position and, at the same time, shows your eagerness to know more about the organization.
As we continue to live in a pandemic, we all need to be flexible and adjust our practices to survive. If you’re an active job seeker, it’s best to always ensure your health and safety first before diving into any request from your potential employer. By following these simple tips, you can be assured that you have done your part in protecting yourself and the others and, at the same time, secure the job that you need.
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