Why Do You Want to Work Remotely?

 

You’re going through an interview for a remote position, and you feel like you’re knocking things out of the park. Then, the interviewer asks you a question that stops you in your tracks: “Why do you want to work remotely?”

You know that mentioning your desire to stay in your pajamas all day isn’t the right way to go. But beyond that, you aren’t sure exactly what you should say to impress the interviewer(s) and get yourself one step closer to landing that work-from-home job. We’ve got some tips to help you impress the hiring manager and move on as a top contender.

Answering “Why Do You Want to Work Remotely?”

— Plan Ahead

There’s nothing worse than having to think on your feet in an interview. When you’re already nervous, you don’t want to have to scramble to find a suitable answer to a tricky interview question.

This is why you need to start thinking about what you could say in response to this question, even if you don’t have an interview scheduled. What are some reasons you’re interested in working remotely that the employer would see as valuable?

For example, potential answers to this question could include:

• Your productivity skyrockets when working in an environment that has decreased distractions.
• Working from home gives you the space to think critically and perform better.
• You’re thrilled with the prospect of working for a company you admire without being limited by your geographical location.
• You enjoy the honest communication that happens when you’re not hindered by in-person office politics.
• You’re planning to pursue specific industry certification applicable to a future with the company and feel the time saved commuting would help you be successful.

But, you should avoid mentioning:

• You’re eager not to have to shower or change out of your pajamas.
• You think working from home means that the job is easier or you don’t have to work as hard.
• You want to be able to watch your kids while you work.
• You don’t like being closely watched or managed. (Being a self-starter is one thing, but you don’t want to appear as if you’re trying to shirk responsibility and fly under the radar.)

— Emphasize Other Appealing Aspects

Chances are, you don’t only want this job because it’s a remote position—and if that is your only reason, you should probably reevaluate. So, it would be best if you touched on the other aspects of the role that appeal to you and fit your strengths and experience.

“The remote nature of the job should be a secondary reason for wanting the job. Employers want to hear that your primary interest is the job itself,” said Brie Reynolds, FlexJobs’ former Career Development Manager and Career Coach.

“One way to approach this is to discuss how working remotely will make it easier for you to focus and be productive doing the actual tasks of the job, compared to being in a busy, distracting office. While you’re acknowledging that working remotely is a great part of this job, it’s still the actual job itself that you’re most concerned with,” Reynolds continues.

Overall, make sure you touch on a few other things about the job that excites you. Even though you’re being asked why you want to work remotely, you can still branch out to mention other aspects that don’t directly deal with working from home.

— Mention the Company’s Culture

Company culture is a very high priority for companies trying to build cohesiveness and camaraderie within their remote workforce. Therefore, you should be prepared to demonstrate that you not only understand the company culture but why you’d be a great fit.

Perhaps you want to mention that you know you could dominate their weekly GIF contest. Or, maybe their emphasis on community-mindedness resonates with you, as you already regularly volunteer at your local animal shelter.

Spend time before the interview researching the company thoroughly, and then use that information to highlight why you’re excited to work for them.

— Focus on the Company’s Mission

Similar to appreciating the company’s culture, it’s a good idea to mention how much you believe in the company’s mission. Maybe one of its goals is to always donate a percentage of its profits to a humanitarian cause.

Whatever it might be, embracing the company’s mission shows the hiring manager that you’re likely to grow with the company and create a career that you’ll love.

— Highlight the Advantages for the Employer

Remote work has many benefits for both employees and employers alike. If you become flustered upon being asked why you want to work remotely, you can answer the question as it relates to remote employers’ benefits when building a remote team.

“Whether it’s your ability to be more productive or effective when working remotely, your decreased carbon footprint, or your ability to be more involved in your local community, these benefits are also great for the employer,” shared Reynolds.

She continues, “It shows that they’re a results-focused culture, a good steward of the environment, or interested in supporting local communities. Think of how remote work benefits both you and the company and discuss those larger points.”

Acing a Remote Job Interview

If you have a remote job interview, you should anticipate needing to explain why you want to transition to the remote workforce. Make sure that your reasons for wanting remote work focus more on the company than your own interests, and you’ll ace the question and the interview.

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