Why do employers ask how you feel about working from home?
If there is a chance that you may work from a home office, your prospective employer will likely want to know that you have the discipline, time management and communication skills to handle being away from a physical workspace. Interviewers also want to see that you have put thought into the benefits and challenges of working remotely so they don't end up hiring someone who isn't prepared to stay on task at home. Employers want to know why you would excel at working from home, and this question allows you to share your top strengths. Related: 125 Common Interview Questions and Answers (With Tips)How to answer "How do you feel about working from home?"
When preparing for your interview, think about the specific details you want to highlight related to your ability to work from home. It's a good idea to write out your answer ahead of time, then practice your answers aloud so that you are fully prepared to give a complete answer. Use these steps to start brainstorming a great answer about working from home:- Answer enthusiastically. Whether or not you have experience working in a home office, you should show your employer that you are excited to have the opportunity to work remotely. If you have the experience, emphasize how much you enjoyed the independence of working from home. If this would be your first time working remotely, consider explaining what initially attracted you to a job with remote work.
- Give examples. List specific tasks and projects you have worked on in the past that show your ability to self-motivate, communicate remotely and meet deadlines. Bringing up your work history shows the interviewer a direct link between your resume and your ability to succeed at working from home.
- Share your strategy for working remotely. Mention the different ways you plan to stay productive at home, whether that is setting up a designated office area, sharing a workspace with other remote employees or using a planner to track deadlines and tasks.
- Recognize challenges and share solutions. Even experienced remote employees face challenges when they cannot meet with coworkers in person. Recognize what you would find the most difficult about remote work, then immediately provide a solution that would help you overcome that challenge.
- Highlight your relevant remote skills. If an employer is hiring a remote employee, they want to know that the candidates they're considering can succeed in this work atmosphere.
Tips for answering "How do you feel about working from home?"
Now that you know the steps for answering this interview question, consider some tips that can help strengthen your response. There are several ways to leave a good impression. Use these tips to help you answer this interview question:- Consider how it can positively affect your job performance. Along with answering enthusiastically, think of ways to show your employer that this type of work can increase your productivity. For example, when you work from home, you may have fewer distractions and can therefore get more work done.Remote work can also help you achieve a better work-life balance and gives you more time to spend on your various tasks instead of commuting to a physical office space. Consider mentioning these benefits as you prepare your answer.
- Answer honestly. While it's important to remain positive throughout the interview, it's equally important to be truthful. For example, don't lie about your remote work experience or say you can work certain hours when, in reality, you're unavailable. Answering honestly gains the employer's respect and gives them more reason to rely on you in the future.
- Focus on other aspects of the job. Employers want to know that you're interested in the job for reasons other than it being remote. Express your interest in the other aspects the job has to offer, such as the work you'd be doing or your passion for the industry.Your answer to this interview question needs to reflect your interest in the position just as much—if not more—than your enthusiasm for working remotely. Research the job and study the job description to provide concrete reasons as to why you want this position.
- Practice your answer ahead of time. Before the day of the interview, hold a mock interview with family or friends. Have them ask you this question and consider your reply. Even if your answer doesn't come out as eloquently as you hoped it would, this is a great time to reformulate it and determine exactly what you want to say.