When you’re getting ready for a remote job interview, it’s essential to think about and even research all the possible questions the hiring manager might ask you. But, don’t forget that the interview is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the job and the company, and to make sure that it’s a good fit for you.
Asking thoughtful, well-crafted questions can show that you’ve done your research on the organization and are genuinely interested in learning how you can contribute. Likewise, the right questions can also show the interviewer that you’ve made an intentional choice to work remotely and are prepared for the challenges that telecommuting could present.
Just remember not to fire all of these questions at your hiring manager but only choose a few that are appropriate to your situation. At the end of the day, the hiring process is a two-way street. These remote work questions will reveal if you are a savvy, prepared job-seeker and if the job is what you are looking for.
In the LinkedIn article entitled “The 1 Most Impressive Job Interview Question to Ask”, Brian Honigman of Honigman Media admitted he’d always secretly hoped to hear this question from applicants. Asking this question signifies that you acknowledge that you don't know everything, and it signals both humility and potential from you as a potential part of the company.
Since you’ll be working remotely, asking this will give you a better understanding of the role and know beyond what is detailed in the job description. However, make sure that you’ll only ask this if you and the interviewer haven’t discussed it already. By asking about your possible day-to-day responsibilities, you’ll get a better sense of what the work will involve. It might also prompt your interview to picture you in the job, and spark more conversation about how you could better spend your day and what hours are you most productive.
By asking about the next steps in the process, you can show the interviewer that you’re eager to know how you can onboard successfully. Subsequently, you may ask if training will be provided and what will be your first priority once you get hired. As a potential employee, you’ll learn what to expect and your employer will see that you’re excited to start off on the right foot.
Even if you’re working remotely, it’s a good thing to ask how your work will contribute to the team and to the organization’s mission. Likeable Media Co-Founder and CEO Dave Kerpen even wrote that it’s one of his favorite questions to ask during an interview. It mainly shows that you’re looking to join a team not just to advance your career but also to contribute to a larger purpose.
You’d also want to learn more about their approach to remote working, especially if you’re joining a company that’s entirely distributed. It’s a good avenue to understand why they’re passionate about the freedom and flexibility that comes with working remotely. Likewise, ask about any issues or challenges that the team has experienced and how the team has dealt with them together.
It’s part of your responsibility as a remote employee to familiarize yourself with various communication apps, such as Slack, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, email, and others. By asking these kinds of questions, you’ll learn how the team communicates and interacts. It’ll also give you a good head start if you’re only new to remote work and don't yet know how to use most of these tools. If you’re already used to working from home, it can be an opportunity for you to share about a new technology you might know that enables better collaboration among remote teams.
Aside from the qualifications and experiences, hiring managers are also looking for someone who is a “cultural fit” for the company. Being a cultural fit means your attitudes, values, and beliefs are in line with the core values and culture of the organization. It’s especially important in a remote role where building camaraderie and relationships prove to be more challenging.
So during your interview, be curious about the company culture and the values they deem most important. By bringing it up, you can decide whether or not you’d be a good match. Learn more about the values they share and live by. Some companies, even though they’re purely remote and distributed, give value to communication and get together at in-person events on a regular basis. While others might not expect much communication as long as you’re keeping with your tasks and deadlines.
You may also ask how often they gather in person or how frequently they meet. Social gatherings may be prohibited for now due to the coronavirus pandemic, but time will come when we can have in-person meetings again. So it’s still helpful to know how frequently the company conducts meetings and socials in the past to build relationships and teamwork among their employees or contractors.#