3 Questions to Ask Candidates During a Pandemic

COVID-19 has shifted the way employers approach job interviews. As companies adapt to more flexible, remote-friendly ways of working, interview questions are evolving too — helping recruiters assess whether a candidate is well-suited to thrive in a non-traditional work environment. Here are three questions worth considering for your next interview.

1. How have you been spending your time during the pandemic, and what have you learned about yourself?

This thoughtful, open-ended question gives you a window into a candidate's character and work ethic beyond their resume. A candidate who used this time to pick up a new skill, develop a productive habit, or work through personal or professional projects is signaling something important — that even in uncertainty, they stay motivated and engaged. That kind of initiative tends to carry over into the workplace.

2. How do you feel about working from home?

The pandemic has shown that remote work is not only possible but often effective — and many companies are making it a permanent or ongoing option. If your organization is one of them, it's worth having an honest conversation with candidates about their experience and comfort level with working from home. Some people thrive in a remote setting, while others may face challenges with their home environment or simply prefer the structure of an office. Understanding their preference early helps set everyone up for success.

3. Do you have any concerns about returning to the office?

As things gradually return to normal, it's important to give candidates the space to voice any concerns they may have about working in a shared office environment again. They may want to know whether your team worked fully remote, in a hybrid arrangement, or remained in the office throughout the pandemic — and what safety measures your company put in place to protect employees. An open, transparent conversation on this topic builds trust and helps candidates feel confident about joining your organization.

For more questions to consider, watch Guhuza President Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA discuss this topic here.

Guhuza is created in partnership with TorontoJobs.ca.

Guhuza is the new way to recruit. As an innovative Canadian platform, it goes beyond the traditional job board — using breakthrough technology to instantly match employers and job seekers for the ultimate hiring experience. Our advanced matching system pairs job seeker profiles with relevant positions and ranks candidates for employers based on the skills each role requires. Once a match is made, live interviews can be conducted directly through the platform.

Visit Guhuza.com or our Knowledge Base to learn more.