5 Questions to Ask When Interviewing For A Role In A Hybrid Workplace

Just as no two workplaces are the same, no two companies will take the same approach to hybrid work. For job seekers, asking the right questions during a hybrid work interview is essential to ensure a good fit and set expectations. Here we’ll explore the questions to ask during a hybrid work interview to gain valuable insights and make informed decisions.

What is your hybrid work policy?

Because hybrid work is new to many companies, they may not have a complete hybrid work policy. It’s important to know if these policies are relatively established or still a work in progress.

Regardless of how well developed the policy is (or is not), make sure you have a clear understanding of how their hybrid policy works, either in its current incarnation or future one. You should know the answers to the following:

– How often must you be in the office?
– How often can you work from home?
– When you come into the office, do you have to stay the whole day?
– When you work from home, how often (and how) are you expected to communicate?
– When you aren’t in the office, are there certain hours you have to be online?

If necessary, ask the above points as follow-up questions to help you better understand how much more work may need to be done defining the rules and expectations for hybrid employees. The answers will also help you gauge the company’s investment in making hybrid schedules work.

Who can work a hybrid schedule?

Just because the company allows hybrid work arrangements doesn’t mean your position is allowed to have a hybrid schedule. If it’s not clear to you that the position you’ve applied for is hybrid and that’s a deal-breaker for you, ask for specifics during the interview so you aren’t disappointed later.

In addition to your position, find out who else works a hybrid work schedule. This can tell you a lot about how the organization feels about hybrid or remote work and whether or not hybrid employees can advance in the company.

For example, if the interviewer tells you anyone can work a hybrid schedule, but managers choose not to, this could indicate that hybrid employees don’t advance as quickly as in-person employees at that company. Likewise, if managers get to work flexible schedules, you can feel more confident that your career path won’t be blocked by your status as a hybrid employee.

How do you communicate with remote or hybrid staff?

One of the most crucial factors to remote work success is communication. From letting your boss know what you accomplished to getting your questions answered, the days you aren’t in the office are the days you’ll need to communicate routinely.

Ask how the company communicates in general. Does the company prefer meetings where everyone must attend in person? Or, does the company lean toward video meetings and asynchronous communication via email and instant messaging? Are the handbooks all hard copies or is there a way to access every important document online? What, if any, project management software does the company use?

How a company communicates can tell you how seriously the company supports hybrid work. If, for example, all documents are already online or moving to an online repository, you’re more likely to be successful as a hybrid employee.

Are there specific hours I have to work?

One of the advantages of full-time remote work is often the flexibility in hours and schedules. Many remote workers shift their schedules so they can work at a time when they are most productive or it’s most convenient for them.

Though remote work is often flexible, that’s not a guarantee. Many fully remote employers require staff to be available and working during certain core hours based on client or business needs.

And the same may be true of an employer with hybrid schedules.While you may, for example, be able to start your day earlier on a work-at-home day because you can skip the commute, don’t assume you can end your day equally as early. Ask the interviewer what the specific rules are and if you are allowed to flex your hours on out-of-the-office days.

What opportunities are there for team building and fostering a sense of community?

Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of belonging among team members is essential, even in a hybrid work setup. Asking about opportunities for team building and community-building activities can give you insight into how the company values employee engagement and camaraderie, regardless of physical location.

Conclusion

As the workforce continues to embrace hybrid work arrangements, asking the right questions during a hybrid work interview is crucial for gaining clarity, setting expectations, and ensuring a positive work experience. By asking about the company’s approach to communication, support for remote employees, work-life balance, and community-building initiatives, you can make informed decisions about whether the role and company align with your preferences and values in a hybrid work environment.