Bringing Up a Tricky Topic: How to Talk About COVID-19 in an Interview
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If you plan to join the hunt shortly, it’s important to consider how supporting your employer through the pandemic has impacted your professional experience and how it has grown your skills. What did you learn while you powered through the pandemic? How did it make you a stronger, more resilient employee? How has the experience enhanced your professional skills?
It was a challenge to meet the demands that the pandemic heaped on workers from multiple directions. It takes debriefing, reflection, and soul searching to figure out what we learned and how we changed because of what we weathered.
If you have a job interview coming up, chances are it’ll become a topic of conversation. However, this can be a touchy subject. Sure, everyone is entitled to an opinion, but you don’t want small talk to ruin your chances of getting a job. If COVID-19 comes up in your next job interview, here are a few tips on how to appropriately handle it:
Sensitivity on the Subject
At this point, most of us know someone who’s been affected by COVID-19. It’s wreaking havoc on people’s lives — their health, their jobs, their finances, their businesses, and their families. It’s a sensitive subject, and that’s why it’s important to tread lightly; you never know how close to home it has hit for the people you’re talking to.
It’s easy for candidates to crack sarcastic, lighthearted jokes about being isolated — complaining about working from home or not being able to go out to eat — but this could be off-putting to an employer or interviewer. When it comes to the tone of the discussion, follow your interviewer’s lead.
No Politics
It’s no secret there are a ton of politics surrounding COVID-19, and everyone has a different opinion on how the government is handling the situation. But it’s best not to broach this in your interview. If the interviewer makes a political remark, even if it’s in line with your views, gently lead the conversation to another topic. You don’t want to risk diving into a controversial topic.
Avoid Oversharing
During the interview, you want to be honest. If you’re searching for a job because you got laid off due to the coronavirus, definitely mention that. But remember this is a job interview, so keep the conversation professional and try not to overshare. Resist divulging too many personal details of your everyday life and your bleakest moments while homeschooling your children or isolating under the stay-at-home orders.
Surviving and succeeding through a global pandemic is no small feat. While it felt exhausting and unrelenting, it can also build strength, skills, and focus. Make sure to acknowledge the rewards you’ve earned for weathering these challenges and emphasize them as you advance in your career.
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