As you prepare for a remote interview, you know that you need to research the company to get a better understanding of its mission, values and culture, and study common questions that are likely to come up.
But beyond general behavioral and technical questions, you’ll also need to prepare for remote-specific questions to make a lasting impression.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled the 10 most common remote interview questions you should start practicing, along with practical tips and useful example answers for inspiration.
Remote Interview Questions and Answers
1. “How do you stay organized and manage your time when working remotely?”
Working remotely means that you’re afforded a lot of autonomy over your work — and, as such, hiring managers want to know whether you really can work independently and meet deadlines without constant and direct supervision.
When answering this question, it’s a good idea to mention things like setting boundaries and sticking to routines, as well as discuss specific methods and tools that help you stay organized and manage your time while working remotely.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I do this by relying on time-blocking to allocate specific hours to specific tasks, and set clear start and end times for my workday to stay disciplined. I also use tools like Google Calendar and Trello to track the progress of my tasks and the projects I’m working on.
2. “What tools and software have you used to collaborate with a remote team?”
This question usually comes up to determine your familiarity with different project management, communication and collaboration tools and software, and hiring managers want to know whether you’re familiar with the tools that they normally use especially.
Re-read the job description for any mentions of specific tools, and incorporate these into your answer. It’s also a good to familiarize yourself with industry-standard tools like Zoom, Asana, Microsoft Teams and Slack.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I’ve used a vast array of tools while working remotely and within an office setting: Zoom for video calls, Trello for project management and Slack for instant communication, which are just a few examples.
3. “How do you handle communication challenges in a remote environment?”
Working remotely comes with a whole host of communication challenges that you don’t experience in an office setting, and hiring managers want to know how you overcome these challenges and generally ensure clear and effective communication.
When answering this question, mention how you ask clarifying questions, adapt to time zones and set expectations, all while stressing proactive communication.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I proactively provide regular updates on projects and make it a point to clarify expectations. In the event of a miscommunication or misunderstanding, meanwhile, I tend to address it quickly, usually via a video call to ensure its fast resolution.
4. “Can you describe your ideal remote work setup?”
One of the more common remote interview questions, hiring managers use this to determine whether you have a productive home office or workspace.
Focus your answer around the dedicated workspace you have at home, along with a reliable, stable internet connection and the tools necessary for remote working. Essentially, your response should demonstrate that you’re prepared and that you take remote work seriously.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I have a dedicated home office with high-speed internet, ergonomic furniture, dual monitors and everything I need to enhance my productivity when working from home.
5.“How do you maintain work–life balance when working from home?”
While working from home certainly offers its fair share of benefits, it also has its downsides — one of which is the increased risk of burnout. As such, interviewers ask this question to determine what you do to avoid burnout and stay focused on your work.
Your response should incorporate how you schedule breaks, unplug after hours (including hobbies and activities) and generally establish boundaries between your work and your personal life.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I maintain work–life balance by sticking to a strict schedule, taking regular breaks and keeping a dedicated workspace that allows me to separate work from my personal life. I also spend my spare time exercising and visiting family and friends.
6. “Can you provide an example of how you’ve resolved a conflict or misunderstanding in a remote setting?”
Workplace conflicts and misunderstandings aren’t uncommon, and even remote workers are familiar with the concept. And hiring managers want to know that you’re able to overcome when, or if, they do.
A great way to answer this question is by employing the STAR method to explain how you resolve workplace conflicts, while emphasizing clear communication as well as emotional intelligence.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
A teammate once misunderstood my email tone, which led to tension. To resolve this, I scheduled a video call to clarify my intentions and to apologize for the miscommunication. This, ultimately, strengthened our collaboration moving forward.
7. “How do you prioritize tasks when working independently?”
Among the many qualities and strengths that employers look for in remote workers is their ability to manage competing priorities effectively, and will ask this question to determine that.
Your response should mention your planning methods and daily check-ins to assess priorities, and how you organize tasks and projects by urgency and importance.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I typically begin my day by reviewing my list of tasks and using this to prioritize high-impact work. Tools like Asana, meanwhile, help me stay on track and they allow me to check in with my team to ensure we’ll all on the same page.
8. “What strategies do you use to stay motivated when working remotely?”
This common question is typically asked to help employers understand how you remain productive and engaged when you work remotely.
When answering this question, be sure to mention your self-discipline and your tendency to set goals. Meanwhile, you should also bring hiring managers’ attention to how you take regular breaks to prevent burnout and how you maintain communication with coworkers to remain engaged.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I like to break large projects into smaller chunks and milestones, which allows me to stay focused on the bigger picture. I also schedule regular check-ins with my team, which provides me with a sense of accountability and motivation.
9. “Have you ever faced technical difficulties when working remotely? How did you handle them?”
Chances are that you have indeed technical difficulties one too many a time when working remotely, whether that’s a software freezing or your internet connection dropping. This question is useful in helping interviewers determine how you remain engaged and productive when this happens.
Use specific examples that showcase your calmness and problem-solving skills.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
There once was a time when my internet went down before a major client presentation. I quickly used my phone’s hotspot, which allowed me to be on time for the presentation, and it reinforced the importance of having backups in place.
10. “Why do you want to work remotely?”
Employers may ask you this question to determine your motivations and whether you’ve seriously considered the challenges (as much as the benefits) of remote work
At face value, it seems like a pretty straightforward question to answer, but it’s actually tricky — especially if you’re tempted to focus your response around personal convenience. Instead, try to align your answer with company values while highlighting productivity and flexibility as your top reasons.
EXAMPLE ANSWER
I find that working remotely allows me to remain 100% focused on my work without the distractions of an office setting. This helps me stay productive. I also appreciate the flexibility that comes with remote working, particularly in terms of better managing my time and energy, which ultimately positively impacts my output.
Final thoughts
These remote interview questions are just examples of the types of questions that are likely to come up in your next job interview.
And while it’s impossible to know which questions exactly will come up, it’s a good idea to be prepared by studying these — and other — questions and crafting compelling answers.
What remote interview questions have you been asked? Let us know in the comments section below.
This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published in 2020.