So What Were You Doing in 2020?

So What Were You Doing in 2020?

Early on during the corona virus pandemic, a supervisor of mine shared a cute cartoon that basically summed up the situation at that time. A young fellow was interviewing for a job sometime in the future. The interviewer had his resume’ in hand, and asked him about the gap in his resume’ during 2020. The interviewer asks the applicant, “So what were you doing during 2020?” The applicant looks the interviewer straight in the eye and answers him “I was washing my hands!”

And, while there is truth in what the applicant answered, ultimately as time goes forward and candidates will continue to interview for job positions, the question of what you did during the pandemic and in 2020 will very likely come up. I was reminded of this in a conversation with a friend the other day, who indicated it was something that was presented in a webinar she attended. The presenter in the webinar was looking to stress that those who hire will be interested in seeing and hearing how individuals may have spent the time period, more so, than the actual content of their answers.

For example, if one used it as a time to strengthen their skills in a new technology or discipline, the questioner would likely consider that an answer that shows taking advantage of a time opportunity that normally would not have been there if the person had been working full-time. Answers such as using one’s skills to assist a non-profit or charity would also be considered a productive use of one’s time. It is possible, that one may have had to care for a sick relative so that would explain the focus for the time also.

However, answers that are focused on one waiting out the pandemic and only beginning to worry about what was next in terms of their career until it became clearer on how the applicant might want to proceed, might not be looked on as favorably. Additionally, answers that are defensive in nature or are of an ilk that indicate that one was overwhelmed by everything that was happening would not be received as well.

Even during times prior to the pandemic, explaining the steps you were taking during a gap on your resume’, in terms of your career, was always a question that would be asked by employers. A job searchers ability to show activity that showed them either using their skills or participating in helping others always were received well. For example, when in person gatherings were permitted, providing one’s services to run or provide support at a job search support group or local volunteer organization, and showing how it allowed one to practice their skill sets, was an answer that often was received favorably. Even now with such groups not meeting in person, attending them virtually as they are offered, is showing initiative in improving your skillsets during a time between employment opportunities.

As my friend and I talked further, I indicated to her, by the same token, it was absolutely fair and acceptable for the job searcher to have a new question for the hiring companies. It would go something like this. “What steps has your organization taken since the pandemic to keep your work staff and customers as safe as possible in the work environment?” The answer to such a question will tell you a lot about a company. What is their sense of social responsibility to their workforce? How well do they respond to the unexpected? What is their vision for the future of how the company will see their staff working? Will it be a company that will expect individuals to always work onsite? Or are they either open to or frankly expecting some semblance for the staff to work remotely?

As I indicated, some of these questions, and thoughts were actually part of the job search and interview process, even before the responses to the pandemic. However, the pandemic and its societal response has brought them front and center, and it will be a rare interview when they are not touched upon at all as we go forward. Start thinking through how you will respond to such questions, and also have yours ready to show the employer your sense of engagement with their organization.