For most people, working remotely was just not an option ten years ago. Yes, everyone had access to the internet, cellphones were gradually finding their way into everyone’s pockets, and Skype was a familiar tool. However, right now? There are numerous remote jobs available worldwide. This not only implies that there tend to be opportunities for working abroad, but it also means that employees must now conduct more due diligence.
Now, among other things to bring up in a remote job interview, you may need to start considering what questions to ask about work flexibility instead of office culture.
Let’s examine some important queries to have before taking a remote work offer.
However, let me first clarify what a remote job is.
What Is A Remote Job?
The response to this is quite straightforward; a remote job is one that is performed in a location other than an office. That spot could be your favorite cafe down the street, your bedroom floor, or your home office. It can also be work that is solely focused on travel, like traveling throughout the nation as a salesperson.
Six Questions To Bring Up In A Remote Job Interview
Let’s go over some of the most crucial inquiries you ought to make in the course of the interview. Naturally, you should ask every one of the “basic” interview questions, including (but not restricted to):
- What makes this company the best
- What draws you to this workplace
- What obligations do I have?
- How will one assess success?
Now let’s address some questions that are particularly particular to remote work.
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How is communication managed within the organization?
You might receive ten different replies if you ask ten different companies how they communicate. While some companies use a single program, others use a variety of programs to keep their staff members interested.
Not only will you probably find out what application they use, but you’ll also discover what kind of contact they anticipate from you.
It’s common for remote workers to have trouble determining the end time, so you should inquire about it. For remote workers, being able to take time off without feeling like they’re always on the clock is crucial yet difficult.
Are check-ins held once a week? Every day? Are you going to be working alone or in a team? Will there be an opportunity for work-life balance, or are you required to be always on call?
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How many hours are there?
Knowing the hours is essential for any remote job, even though it is comparable to the first one. This is especially true if you will be working remotely from a different country.
It is likely that you will be required to arrange a time during the day when your hours can overlap for others who are in various time zones.
However, you should always be sure to inquire about one important issue: flexible hours, regardless of your location in proximity to your company’s headquarters.
In essence, flexible scheduling is “work when you can work,” with a greater emphasis on goals and actions than on clock time. For instance, the employer won’t mind if you work on a project that has a Friday deadline if you start it on Monday at 5 p.m., Tuesday at 7:00 AM, or Wednesday at 3 a.m. Your hours are flexible so long as the project is finished.
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Which remote issues are the most difficult for the company in question?
With more people working remotely, many businesses could still be getting used to having employees dispersed throughout the globe.
Inquire about the length of time they have been functioning remotely and the main difficulties they have leading a remote team.
What has gone without a hitch? What has had some bumps?
You can learn more about their experience with remote work and the steps taken to facilitate employees’ ability to work from any location.
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Is this a full-time, contract, or freelance job?
It’s crucial to recognize right away that this is a more technical and bureaucratic subject. Though it might have been included in the job announcement, be sure to bring it up just in case.
When Uncle Sam calls, it will also have a big impact on how you report your taxes.
What distinguishes full-time, contract, and freelance work?
- Freelance: Taxes and hours are under your control. You will naturally have a little more flexibility in terms of what you can and cannot do because everyone you work with is a client, and you are expected to bill them in accordance with your own payment plan. Although you are free to pursue other options, the company you are employed by will not offer you any benefits or privileges.
- Contract: The distinction between freelancers and contractors can be difficult to make and may not seem like much of one from the outside. Contractors are typically paid by the hour and are required to work on defined tasks for a set amount of time. The business has the option to rehire them or let them go after the contract expires. Employees are permitted to work for many employers at once, just as freelancers.
- Full-time: Quite typical, instead of viewing their employer as a client, full-time staff view it as one. Working full-time entitles you to specific advantages and rewards, and your income is either fixed or hourly.
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Do I bring my own equipment, or will it be supplied?
You must ensure that you have the right setup to manage your remote working environment, even if some firms will give their remote workers tools and equipment.
Appropriate internet: Rather than socializing around the water cooler, you will most likely be making a lot of calls on Skype, Zoom, Teams, Hangouts, etc. You must ensure that you have the appropriate internet in order to handle the bandwidth.
This helpful consumer guide can help you determine the appropriate internet speed if you’re unsure. Although it’s likely that your internet is working properly, you should confirm to make sure that you’re not “that person” who keeps missing video calls.
The appropriate computer: Does your old laptop breathe and cough every time you switch it on? Could you use a keyboard to fry an egg? That is most likely not good.
The kind of computer you require will change based on the kind of work you do. You most likely already know what features you require and what brands you are familiar with.
Nonetheless, there are a few components you need confirm are present on your computer: A solid-state drive (SSD) with at least 16 GB of RAM and Appropriate fan ventilation. You should be ready to go if you have these three items on your checklist.
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How are payments made?
This is a crucial issue that should be asked if you’re living overseas and may come up during any pay conversation.
Gaining knowledge of this is especially crucial for you as the employee, as you may have to cover taxes in a foreign country.
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It’s also possible that you won’t have a bank account in the nation where you work, in which case you’ll need to find out if the employer is okay with you making a payment into an online account like PayPal or transferring funds internationally.
Five Sample Questions For Distant Job Interviews
What kinds of inquiries might you anticipate from prospective employers? Aside from the apparent ones (tell me about a time you overcome an obstacle, fixed a problem, etc.). Let’s examine a few of the most important questions.
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Have you ever worked remotely before?
Employers want to find out if you have ever worked remotely, therefore this is one of their first queries.
Don’t feel behind if you haven’t done this before. Most people in the vast majority haven’t.
However, consider any instance in your life where you had to arrange and schedule things with someone who were located far away. Perhaps you had to complete a school project with a student from out of town, planned a trip for a study abroad experience, or resolved a business situation while on vacation.
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How do you plan ahead and stay on top of things?
Companies are interested in learning if you can operate responsibly under minimal supervision. Attempt to recall an instance where you were required to operate on your own and how you managed it.
Make sure to discuss how you managed your time well and remained organized. It could also be a good idea to recall a period when you had to quickly plan something due to a tight deadline.
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What system do you use to rank your tasks?
Employers desire to know that you can manage various jobs, again without much supervision. This is an issue related to organization.
Tell about times in your previous life when you faced a ton of work but managed to find a solution.
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What are your thoughts on regular communication?
Employers frequently merely want to know if you’ll be a perfect fit for the business. While some may want you to demonstrate independence, others may like you to be a “team-player.”
Try to walk the tightrope here by mentioning that while you’re happy working alone, you also recognize the need of working as a team to complete a task.
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What is your opinion on minimal or nonexistent in-person interactions?
Even the most reclusive individuals eventually need to engage with others, and working remotely means you won’t be spending time with coworkers.
The employer’s main goal in this situation is to gauge your comfort level and ability to cope with being alone. Tell them straight out that although you might miss being with people, you’re excited about the chance.
You must be ready to respond to all of the questions that are asked at a remote job interview if you’re seeking for one. Even if you might not have any prior experience working remotely, consider instances in the past when you were required to complete tasks akin to this one, or consider how you’ll be the perfect employee.
I hope your adventure to work remotely goes well!