Do you have an upcoming interview for a remote job opportunity? If so, you are not alone. Since March, remote job listings have increased by 2.8x as more companies continue to support a remote workforce. As companies work hard to pivot to remote working environments, job seekers are doing the same. Preparing to interview for a remote opportunity is like prepping for any other interview – you must do your homework. However, there are some questions that will likely arise as you interview for a remote position. Here are some questions you must be ready to answer as you prepare for a remote job interview.
Have you worked remotely in the past?
This question will likely be the first one the hiring manager asks you. The hiring manager is trying to gauge your interest in a remote opportunity and understand if this is a new feat for you. If you have worked remotely in the past, you can give a brief overview of your remote experience; share your role, the company you worked for, how long you did it, and how you succeeded in this position.
If you have not worked remotely before, that is not a deal-breaker. Did you work a few days from home when you were out sick or worked remotely when out of town for business? These are all experiences you can share to illustrate that you are ready to take on this new remote opportunity.
What type of collaboration tools and software have you used?
When your team is working remotely, you may never communicate with them in person. Therefore, this question is another popular one hiring managers ask candidates for remote positions. The hiring manager wants to understand what collaboration tools you have experience with and how you used them; they want to understand if this will be a smooth transition for you.
There is a slew of collaboration and project management tools out there, such as Microsoft Teams, Trello, Zoom, Slack, Google Docs, and so on. Whether you have used these for work, school, or personal use, give a brief overview of what tools you have experience with and how you used them to be productive. You probably won’t have experience with every platform, but your experience with one software will be transferable with another.
How do you keep yourself motivated while working from home?
When you are working remotely, you have a lot of independence. You will not have your boss regularly checking in on you or nudging you to get back to work if you lose focus. Thus, it’s essential to motivate yourself while working from home and get your work done proficiently. The best way to answer this question is with honesty. Share what you do to keep motivated throughout the day and on track, whether that’s a specific routine, checklists, calendar reminders, or alarms on your phone.
Keep in mind, your work style may not be an excellent fit for a remote position, and that is what the hiring manager is trying to assess. Be honest and let them know how you need to be held accountable and what you do to stay productive throughout the day.
Need more help preparing for your remote job interview?
If you are looking for more help answering common interview questions, here is how to answer the most common questions.
