The past two years have seen dramatic changes in workplace dynamics and it could be said that none have been more significant than the increase in the number of, and demand for, opportunities to work remotely. Management and staff alike have learned that they can be as effective and efficient working from home as they can in the office and, therefore, the option to work remotely is becoming more and more popular. According to Forbes, remote work is here to stay and the number of opportunities will continue to increase into next year. So, if you are considering switching to a remote job now is a good time to start interviewing.
One of the critical stages of preparing for an interview is compiling a list of questions to ask the hiring manager, questions that will help you decide if the job is the proper one for you. When interviewing for a remote position that list must include questions that are specific to a remote work situation. Just as no two office environments are the same, no two remote work situations are the same.
Even though more employers are offering remote work opportunities to attract the best talent, not every company has fully thought through what systems, procedures, and management practices are necessary to properly support its remote workforce. The best opportunity to find out just how prepared the company is to ensure you can do the job to the best of your abilities is during the interview process. Below, you will find several questions you should be asking when interviewing for a remote job.
- What are the standard hours of the position? Will I be expected to come into the office or travel to other locations?
- How long has the company had remote workers? What have been the main challenges remote workers have faced and what has the company done to overcome those challenges?
- How do remote employees receive necessary training?
- What equipment and applications will I need to fulfill the responsibilities of the job remotely? Will I be provided equipment or will I need to provide my own?
- What systems and procedures are in place to evaluate performance and give feedback to remote employees?
- What tools does the company utilize to facilitate communication among team members? How often will I be communicating with other team members?
- Are other members of the team/company working remotely? Does company management work remotely?
- How do you encourage effective collaboration and team spirit? Will I have an opportunity to meet with other members of the team/company?
While working in the comfort of your own home and not having to deal with the time, inconvenience, and cost of a commute might seem like good enough reasons to change jobs, it is imperative that you do not hastily jump on the first remote opportunity that comes along. Asking the right questions will show the hiring manager you are prepared to make thoughtful decisions. More importantly, the answers to these questions will tell you whether or not the company is as thoughtful and thorough in creating an environment to truly support its remote workers.
Additional resource: To help you prepare for this interview, check out these tips on how to best answer questions for remote jobs.