Asking questions during the interview as a job candidate is a critical part of the hiring process. (The worst thing you can say when the hiring manager asks you if you have any questions is to say, “No, I don’t think so.”)

That being said, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a layer of complexity to, well, just about everything in our lives. This includes the professional realm, the employment marketplace, and the job market.

Keep in mind there’s a good chance that you if you pursue other employment opportunities, then you might be part of virtual or video interviews. If that’s the case, then you will need to become even more mindful of how you’re coming across and being perceived. Not only must you exhibit more energy and enthusiasm than if you were interviewing in person, but you must also work to gather as much information as possible.

Below are three big questions about ask about COVID-19 during your job interview:

#1—Since the pandemic began, are you looking for any additional skills or qualities in new hires that perhaps you weren’t before?

This allows you to gather a deeper level of information regarding the position and the organization and it also reveals that you’re a forward-thinking individual. Companies want to hire people who think in this manner, which incidentally could be the very kind of person they’re looking to hire in light of the circumstances surrounding the pandemic.

#2—I know there is still a lot of uncertainty in the market right now, but what are your company’s priorities for the next several months?

There are a couple of reasons to ask this question. First, you want to find out how the company has been handling the pandemic and what their plans are going forward in the face of it. Second, you want to find out this information because if the company makes you an offer of employment and you accept the offer, what will you be doing in the weeks and months ahead?

#3—How has COVID-19 affected the onboarding process for new employees?

It is not presumptuous to ask this question. This is a perfectly logical question. As a job candidate, you want to know whether or not the company “has its act together,” including in terms of how it handles protocols regarding the virus. The hiring manager should be able to answer this question easily and be able to provide details.

If they can’t, then you might have to wonder why that’s the case. Perhaps it is symptomatic of a bigger organizational problem at the company.

The Doepker Group has experience placing professionals in the Information Technology and Engineering fields, and we can place you, as well.

We invite you to search through our open positions. You can start the process by creating a profile and submitting your resume.