After all of the layoffs that the COVID-19 pandemic caused, getting hired may seem tougher than ever. Even an interview request may feel like you found the holy grail. But, no matter how much you want a particular job, everyone will be better off if you ensure that the company and the position will be the right fit for you. Here are six new job interview questions you should ask during the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. “How will remote work impact my integration into your team?”
Normally, when you start a new job, you undergo in-person training or shadow another employee in order to learn the ropes. But now, before you accept a new position, you should make sure that you feel comfortable with the company’s virtual training plans.
Furthermore, the employees at your prospective workplace may have worked together before the pandemic began and will likely have existing relationships. It’s usually harder to form relationships with coworkers without meeting in person, so you may want to inquire about how the company will promote the inclusion of new team members.
2. “How do you set your employees up for success during COVID-19?”
During your interview, it’s always a good idea to learn about the policies that will set you up for success in your new job. If you’ll be working from home, you may want to ask what equipment the company will provide and what you’ll need to purchase yourself. If you’ll be working directly in an office, be sure to inquire into what safety procedures are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. After all, during a pandemic, you wouldn’t want to get sick at work!
3. “Do you see this role being secure long-term?”
You should ask this question to get a sense of the job security of your potential new role. If you’re searching for new employment because you lost your job during the pandemic, the last thing you would want to do is find yourself unemployed again a few months later. To get a fuller sense of what your job security would be, you may also want to ask if the company has furloughed staff because of the pandemic and how the company has adjusted to the pandemic economy since then.
4. “How have you supported furloughed or laid-off staff members?”
This question is important because it will show how the company cares for their employees. Be sure to note whether or not the company checks in on furloughed staff members frequently and whether or not they provide references to help laid-off employees find new jobs. The company’s actions will show whether they truly want the best for their employees.
5. “How diverse are your company’s executives?”
2020 brought racism and intolerance issues to the forefront of our minds. If you’re joining a new company in 2021, try to join teams that celebrate diversity and equality. One of the best ways to do this is to ask about the makeup of company leadership, including executives, managers, and the board of directors. A company that rich, white men lead may be run differently than a company with employees from many different ethnicities, genders, and religions. You may also want to ask about efforts to increase or promote diversity and inclusion within the company.
6. “Has the COVID-19 crisis taught your company any valuable lessons?”
It’s safe to say that surviving the COVID-19 pandemic taught most of us valuable lessons about the world. But as companies adapt to ever-changing pandemic conditions, they have the opportunity to discover new insights as well. For example, some companies learned that if their employees work remotely, they can save money on real estate, while others learned to take advantage of digital marketing. The hiring manager’s answer will give you an idea of the company’s adaptability, openness, and growth potential.
If you’re currently looking for a new job, adjust the questions that you ask in your interviews to reflect these changing times. The extra time it may take to find a new job is not a reflection on you or your qualifications, so stay patient and positive. You will nail your interview and get that dream job offer!
