Hiring a job candidate for a flexible job is a bit different from hiring your average office worker. There are a plethora of potential issues that can occur if you fail to interview potential employees with flex-oriented questions. Evan Guzman, head of military programs and veteran affairs/global talent acquisition at Verizon, a FlexJobs Featured Employer, weighed in on interview questions for at-home or flexible jobs.
“When I interview candidates that I connect with online, especially during virtual events, I have to ask the right questions,” says Guzman. “My favorite questions to ask are behavior-based. When I am recruiting for flexible work opportunities, I need to ensure that the person I select is going to get the job done, even when they are not working full-time hours.”
TELL ME ABOUT A TIME when had to be FLEXIBLE or ADAPTABLE at work? (Interview Questions & Answers!)
How Do You Describe Flexibility in an Interview?
Flexibility is a rather lofty concept. So the best way to describe it in a job interview is through examples. Rather than just stating that you are “well receptive to change”, show how you’ve responded to sudden workplace shifts such as the transition to remote work, new policy adoptions, or wider organizational changes of the business model.
7. Are You Comfortable Working in a Fast-Paced Environment? What Do You Do When Your Work Priorities Change Quickly?
Some workplaces require fast reactions and on-the-spot wit. By posing this question, the interviewer wants to ensure that you can handle the slightly hectic work environment and effectively balance multiple priorities.
Your reassuring answer can go like this:
These are just nine of his favorite interview questions for flexible job candidates:
Why a potential employer asks this question:
You’ve already read the resume and cover letter. Now you want to hear from the candidate’s own mouth about how he, and he alone, can pull off this position. The type of answer you get will show you if your employee-to-be is qualified—with specific examples to back up his answer—or simply a braggart.
2. How do you adjust to changes you have no control over?
This question is an opportunity to show your adaptability. Employers might ask this question in roles with changing deadlines, but it can also be a way to assess your general flexibility. Try to portray your confidence and adaptability by showing how well you can adjust to changes. To answer, think of a change you experienced that was out of your control and the steps you took to adjust.
Example: “I adjust to changes by stepping back and taking a moment to create a plan. Last year, when working in retail, I was on the opening shift and would work in the mornings. My manager asked me to switch to the later shift to cover an employee who was leaving. I took some time to plan out a new routine and transportation plan to help make this change easier. It took a few weeks to refine my routine, but within the first month I felt comfortable with the change.”
