Nearly nine out of 10 U.S. workers said they worked
remotely at some point in 2020 — a jump from 24
per cent in 2019. And while almost two-thirds prefer
working from home over a traditional office space,
only one in three plan to work remotely after the
pandemic, found a survey of 1,000 American remote
workers who usually work in an office by real estate
referral service Clever.
Only 17 per cent of workers were back in the physical
workplace at the end of 2020, but nearly two-thirds
expect to be back by the end of 2021's second quarter.
The top reasons? The employer is requiring them to
return (54 per cent); their job requires them to be in
the office when possible (35 per cent); and the social
aspects of office life (29 per cent).
However, health and safety remains a concern, as
only 20 per cent report feeling safe working in an
office and more than one-half are worried about
their health.
More than nine out of 10 U.S. workers have
been asked the open-ended question "Tell me
about yourself " in a job interview. And six out of
10 interviewers acknowledge that they ask job
candidates that question — making it the most
common question, according to a poll of 503
professionals involved in the hiring process and 1,025
workers by resumé builder and career blog Zety.
The other questions in the top five asked by
interviewers are: "Tell me about a challenge or
conflict you faced at work and how did you deal
with it?" (57 per cent); "What are your greatest
Workers pleased with work-life balance
are happy with their
company's vacation policy
are happy with their
benefits package
say their company holds
social events for employees
INTERVIEWERS LIKE OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Six out of 10 workers believe that their
company respects work-life balance
and are happy with their workplace
flexibility. However, less than four in 10
feel that their employer offers great
perks, according to Ceridian's 2021 Pulse
of Talent survey of 5,010 adults across
Canada, the U.S., U.K., Australia and New
Zealand.
NO RUSH TO GET
BACK TO OFFICE
strengths?" (51 per cent); "How did you hear about
this position?" (48 per cent); and "What are your
greatest weaknesses?" (46 per cent).
More than half (54 per cent) of interviewers
expect candidates will ask them about examples of
projects they'd be working on, along with: the skills
and experience they want in an ideal candidate
(52 per cent); the most immediate projects to be
addressed (50 per cent); what a typical day with
the company looks like (45 per cent); and if the
main responsibilities are expected to change soon
(44 per cent).
66%
56%
47%
WHEN WILL PEOPLE GO 'BACK TO WORK'?
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION WITH BENEFITS
30%
23 minutes
2022 or later
End of 2021
First half of 2021
78%
75%
62%
www.hrreporter.com 15
