Picture this: the year is 2020. You've finally taken that leap of faith and decided to make a major transition. You sign up for the free trial of LinkedIn Premium and you've got you're resume locked and loaded.
And then boom. A global pandemic hits and halts the hiring process at companies worldwide.
If you or someone you love is unemployed and scared AF, this Twitter user just gave us a full breakdown of how to navigate job hunting in the age of the Internet and the coronavirus, and with the increasing number of company layoffs across the country, we are taking all of the notes.
In an informative thread, Career Coach, Dr. Latesha Byrd just gave us the tea on the questions every job seeker should be asking right now because "you have every right to know where you stand." The Charlotte-based CEO wrote:
"If you're in the midst of interviewing or negotiating offers with companies or maybe you've already accepted one & slated to start soon. Reach out to the company. You have every right to know where you stand. Here's a list of questions you'll want to ask."
As curfews go into effect and self-quarantine becomes mandatory, Latesha encourages job-seekers to keep the faith and noted that HR professionals at companies like Lowes, American Express, and Netflix are still hiring and have simply gone digital. Once you've been chosen for an interview (which you will be, because you're dope), Latesha stressed the importance of asking exactly how the pandemic affects your position:
"For interviewers: Will my scheduled on-site interview be changed to a virtual interview? If so, which technology will we be using so I can familiarize myself with the system? Also, will there be any major changes in the interview schedule itself as the company work approach changes?"
While asking the hard questions are never easy, Latesha also had some advice for those who may have secured the job but not the start date:
"If [your] start date is changed, how will this impact/affect compensation (you've got the job - you need to know). Make sure you save/read the offer letter and the entire compensation package. Also, check the company site/social media for updates to stay informed."
Latesha also suggested that job-seekers keep a copy of their questions and concerns on deck while being interviewed:
"It's most def cool to have these questions written down in a notebook & take notes during the interview. Also, have notes written on your personal resume copy that you can reference when speaking on your experience."
For more tips from Latesha's Twitter feed on how to slay your next interview, scroll below:
twitter.com
{THREAD} How to secure your spot in next round interviews by asking these 9 questions, with reasons. 1) In your opinion, what are the top 3 skills necessary to do well in this role & why? *This helps you tailor your answers & demonstrate those skills to each interviewer*...1/twitter.com
2) I have a lot of experience doing (Insert said experience here), would I have the opportunity to do this in the role? *This allows you to reiterate an important skill you possess, that you know is highly desired in the job, driving your experience home once more*...2/twitter.com
3) What should my areas of focus be in the first 30, 60 and 90 days? *Helps you understand how structured the org is, expectations & you can use their answer to build out a 90 day plan for future rounds.Shows you're thinking strategically & seriously about your value add*...3/twitter.com
4) How does the company structure training & development opportunities for new employees? *Honestly, this question is for YOU! You can tell if an org invests in their employees by how serious they take training. Shows you're serious about your growth as well.*....4/twitter.com
5) How does the work of this particular GROUP/DEPT contribute to the overall success of the company's goals? *Good to know how your work impacts the greater good. If you want to ask on a more micro level, you can ask how the work of YOUR role contributes to the group*..5/twitter.com
6) Who are the key players I would be working with & what would be their expectations of me in terms of performance? *One, pay attention to how the questions I'm posing are asked from a place of you already stepping into the job. Ask if you can meet these key players too*...6/twitter.com
7) I noticed that you worked at (X) company before coming here. How was your transition & what do you love most about working here? *This takes some LinkedIn research on the interviewer. Take an interest in their career path & this also shows you did your research!*..7/twitter.com
8) Is there anything that's not on my resume that you have questions about? Or do you have any concerns about my experience? *Makes sure the interviewer didn't miss anything & puts them on the spot in case they do have a concern. You can also gauge their interest here*...8/twitter.com
9) Thank you, this has been a refreshing conversation. Can you let me know what the next steps will be? *Expressing gratitude is always nice, but most importantly you need to know their timeline so you know how long to wait & when to follow up.*.../9twitter.com
Remember that an interview is a 2-way conversation, not an interrogation. I spent years in recruiting & let me tell you I wanted to have smooth conversations but the candidates were so uptight it even made me uncomfortable. Preparation & practice is key to being confident..10/For more Latesha, follow her on Instagram @Latesha_Byrd.
Featured image by Giphy.
