Employers should expect students to ask about COVID, racism, and other social justice issues this fall

I think that it is important for all of us to expect that, this fall, hard but fair interview questions won’t just come from employers to students. They will also come from students to employers.

I expect students to ask specific questions and expect specific answers to what employers did before, during, and after the COVID-19 shutdown to keep their employees safe, physically, mentally, and financially. I also expect students to ask specific questions and expect specific answers as to what employers did regarding Black Lives Matter as well as other racial and social justice issues.

Employers who, in hindsight, wish they could have done more shouldn’t be afraid to share what they did, acknowledge their shortcomings, and layout their vision for the future. This generation is so savvy at identifying a lack of candor or even lies and just as savvy as sharing their findings with thousands of their closest friends, but they also don’t expect perfection. Years ago, when employers were in control of their own brands, they could lie with impunity about their work environment, benefits, career paths, and more. Today, thankfully, they can’t. 

An employer who understands that they had room for improvement and is able to communicate how they’re improving and how the candidate can be a part of that will have a significant advantage this fall.