7 New Job Interview Questions…How Should You Answer?

We’re all tired of hearing and speaking about the pandemic by now. We’ve all grown weary of it. However, because it caused the senior living workplace and workforce to change significantly, it’s worth mentioning again especially if you’re getting ready for a job interview. Senior living hiring managers have some new ground to cover and new questions to ask you.

That said, the new interview questions are more than about experience, skills, and knowledge. Questions are about a candidate’s ability to adapt to new situations, how they managed to stay productive, how they dealt with the stress, what motivates them to stay in the senior living industry, etc.

Here’s a sample of 7 common questions that senior living interviewers are now asking job candidates and how candidates might want to respond.

–How are you adjusting to life post quarantine?

This is often an icebreaker to begin a casual conversation before the interview starts. Candidates should feel free to ask that same question in return and may want to include something positive like “Better days are here and I’m looking forward to a bright future.”

–How did you adapt to the new workplace?

Here the interviewer wants to know if you were able to adapt to situations that were beyond the realm of your control. They want to know how you handled the challenges of a changing workplace. This is a great time for you to spotlight your creative solutions and how you turned a negative into a positive.

–How did the pandemic impact your career goals in senior care?

Here, the interviewer is really asking what are you looking for and from the next organization you join? The answer will help the hiring manager assess whether the organization and position will fulfill your aspirations. If you feel that the organization is in alignment with your ambitions, let the interviewer know. Tell them why you’re the perfect candidate for the job.

-How did you stay motivated to continue to work in senior care?

The interviewer is asking what kept you going during such an uncertain time. Talk about why a career in senior living is personally fulfilling and about your passion for it. Also, let them know how you’re excited to contribute and bring that same passion and success to their organization.

–How did you cope with the stress brought on by the pandemic?

The hiring manager needs to know how you handled a difficult situation. Talk about how your daily routine changed and how you managed it. For example, did you have to organize your workload differently? If so, how did you organize it? Also, share how you were able to decompress and deal with stress such as a daily jog, exercise, or long walks, etc.

–How did you improve or upskill during the pandemic?

The interviewer is inquiring whether you took an online course, earned a new certificate, or earned CEU hours. If you’re unable to talk about any upskilling, focus on how you honed your soft skills. Employers in senior living value soft skills such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, and taking the lead in new initiatives.

–What’s important to you in your career and company you join?

With the Great Resignation on every employers mind right now, this question is asked to gauge the chances of you being a flight risk. Employers want to know if your career goals align with their organization and that you’ll stick around. If you’re excited about what you’ve heard so far, let the interviewer know. Tell them that you think a career path at their organization is a great fit.

Talking about the pandemic can be tough and emotional. However, as senior living recruiters, we stress that a job interview is not the time to bare your soul. Actually, it’s your moment to shine and show the hiring manager that you can adapt, be resilient, and be a great fit for their team and organization.

Julie Rupenski is the Founder & CEO of MedBest Recruiting. Since opening its doors in 2001, Julie has grown MedBest into an award winning, multimillion-dollar national firm, garnering impressive awards including INC 5000 2021 and Tampa Bay Fast 50 2021! Julie was also named as on honoree for the “Top 100 Women Leaders in Tampa 2022″ by Women We Admire.

MedBest has gained national recognition due to Julie’s industry expertise and high level of success. Julie has an in-depth knowledge of the Senior Living Industry.  She previously worked in operations for both Senior Housing and Senior Living prior to founding MedBest. Today, Julie makes it her personal and professional mission to place qualified executives in health care positions where they have the greatest impact.

Julie’s industry articles and interviews have been published in Provider Magazine, Argentum Quarterly, LeadingAge Magazine, Florida Health Care Association, Florida Senior Living Association, Florida Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge Indiana, LeadingAge Florida, LeadingAge Oregon, Virginia Assisted Living Association and Pennsylvania Health Care Association.

Julie earned her degree in Gerontology at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida and continues to cultivate her career through senior living conferences, forums, trade shows, and expos.

Contact Julie Rupenski at jkrupenski@www.medbest.com / 727-526-1294.

ABOUT MEDBEST
MedBest is an award-winning national Executive Search Firm exclusive to the Senior Living Industry. For more than 2 decades, we have connected senior living organizations with exceptional senior living executive talent for both permanent and interim roles.

MedBest was named as one of American’s top companies by Inc.5000 plus we are a Tampa Fast 50 Company!

MedBest serves the full continuum of long-term care organizations including Assisted Living, Independent Living, CCRC, Home Care, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing.

Contact us at 727-526-1294 / info@www.medbest.com and visit us at www.medbest.com.