5 questions to ask in a remote job interview

Have you scored your first remote job interview? Congratulations, you are one step closer to living the remote dream! And you are not alone with that. More and more workers are attracted to the flexibility of remote work and being able to have a fulfilling job without the need to move their whole life to a different location. But in order to actually get the job, it is crucial that you are fully prepared. And we are not just talking about having a great response to your strengths and weaknesses, but to ask the right questions in regards to remote work.

While the objective of the interview is the same (companies want to find the right hire, and applicants want to score a job), the set-up differs a lot from interviews for a non-remote position. First of all, it is very likely that the interview will not take place in person but over a video call application. Secondly, a big focus of the actual interview will be on your experience as a remote employee, and the day-to-day organisation of tasks. 

Keep in mind that job interviews are never a one-way street and while companies are trying to find the right candidate, it is just as important to make sure the employer is right for you. And the best way to do that is by asking the right questions.

Your questions should not only show that you are remote ready and able to work under the unique circumstances of a remote position, but also help you determine if the job is the right fit for you. Here are 5 questions that can help you achieve both of these goals.

1. What are the working hours?

For any in-office position, the required working hours would probably be advertised along with the job description. However, working in a remote position comes with some unique challenges around working hours, for example, if one or more of the team members are in a different time zone or subject to varying national holidays. 

Therefore, it is crucial to know what is expected of you in terms of working hours and at what times you are supposed to be available for meetings and discussions.

2. How do you communicate?

Another incredibly important aspect of remote work is communication, as it requires a more regulated approach than if you were in the same building and able to stop by for a coffee or a quick update. Communicating your awareness of this unique challenge is a good way to show that you are ready and well-prepared to tackle it the moment you get the job.

You can also be more specific about this and ask which communication tools or channels are used for which project, and if you are expected to be available in a team chat throughout your working day.

3. Will you provide me with equipment?

Working remotely means more often than not that you will be working in your own home. But if you don’t already have a good set-up including office furniture, computer equipment and enough internet bandwidth to complete all your tasks, you might be left in a rather uncomfortable and potentially costly position. That’s why you should ask if the company will provide you with their own equipment and proper licenses and tools for your day-to-day work.

If the employer will not provide you with company-owned resources and equipment, you might have to reconsider your application—or at least do a quick calculation of the additional cost of fast internet, a good laptop and office furniture to see if it is worth taking the job or not.

4. How do you handle payments/salary?

It has become quite common for organisations to look for employees all over the world and not just within their own national borders. While this is great news for remote workers all around the globe, it also means the payment process could potentially be a bit tricky, as it involves different currencies and international bank transfers.

Make sure to use your remote job interview to learn about the company’s payment process and if there are any potential fees you would have to pay in order to get your wage.

5. What are the biggest remote work challenges and what could I do in this position to help overcome them?

Finally, after getting all the details of the job’s conditions out of the way, it is time to focus a bit more on what you can bring to the table—and prove that you are remote ready. Every remote company faces its own challenges, and the one you are interviewing for surely won’t be an exception. Show that you are not afraid of these challenges by directly addressing them and asking what you could do to overcome them.

This not only shows that you are aware of the unique circumstances of the position but that you are also willing to improve them and do your part to create an efficient and productive remote work environment.