Are you in search of a job or looking for a job change with a remote opportunity.?? Then you must have come across the most important question during the interview process i.e. “Why do you want to work remotely?“
Are you wondering how to answer the question so that it helps you to grab the remote opportunity you are looking for?
If you are unsure and want to know how effectively to answer the question “Why do you want to work remotely” then you are in the right place.
In this article let us understand how to answer this
question in a way that can increase your possibility of landing the desired
remote job.
What is Remote Work OR Work From Home (WFH)?
WFH or Remote Work is an arrangement or a set-up that allows an employee to work at the comfort of his/her home. This kind of arrangement doesn’t require a traditional office set-up with various tools, gadgets, and ambiance. Today it is no longer required to be physically present in the traditional office to do your work.
In the past few years due to the advent of new amazing technologies, the popularity of Remote work or Work From Home has significantly increased. This also immensely helped the companies to continue their operations in the tough times of Covid without hampering their productivity.
If due to some reason you are looking for a remote opportunity or a position that provides the facility of Remote Work or Work From Home, then probably you would be asked to explain “why do you want to work remotely or WFH?”
Reason behind the question "Why do you want to work Remotely?"
As a potential candidate for the position in the company, you should be aware of the reason behind this question.
The interviewer asks this question to understand your motivations and reasons to work remotely. As an employer, they have a full right to ensure before hiring a new candidate if he/she is reliable enough to do remote work / WFH.
So you have to make sure to convince the interviewer that you are a trustworthy person and shall be working in the best interest of the company.
And how would you do that.?? Lets explore here.
“When answering this question you have to keep one thing in mind that, the reasons for your interest in remote work or WFH should have advantages to the employer or company. It should benefit both the employee and the employer.”
Reasons for why you want to work Remotely.
1. Increased Productivity
There has been a study on a large set of companies who provided the remote work model to their most of the employees and the result shows an interesting fact that the remote work model shown higher productivity
as compared to the work from office model.
One of the main reasons behind this is the elimination of many workplace distractions due to which the remote work model allows employees to create a comfortable and focused work environment at their own home set-up. This allows you to be therefore more creative.
2. Flexibility
Remote work of WFH model offers flexibility to set your own working hours that enable you to have a work-life balance. It also empowers you to manage your busy life in a much better way. This can significantly reduce unwanted stress and improve your health and overall well-being.
3. Reducing Commute
In most of the Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, the biggest problem is huge traffic. And, due to this most of the employees have to spend an average of 3-4 hours daily on the commute to the office.
This can be eliminated by the Remote work model. By doing so you can eliminate the need for daily commutes, save a lot of time, also can reduce the stress that comes with the daily traffic and public transportation.
4. Cost Savings
You can always save a significant amount of money which you usually spend on commuting expenses, daily lunches, work attire, etc.
It may look like a small amount for a few people, but for others, this would definitely be a significant amount that adds to their overall well-being financially.
“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.”
Benefits / Advantages to employer with Remote Work or WFH
1. Access to Global Talent
The remote work model allows companies to hire the best of the best talent from different locations without much thinking about the employee’s current/base location. By this companies can expand the pool of potential candidates from diverse geographical locations which will eventually increase the productivity of the company.
2. Business Continuity
As we all have seen, during the pandemic (Covid) most of the companies had to stop their business operations without any choice. And, that lead to financial crises of the companies due to discontinuity of the business operations which is an important part of any organization.
3. Cost Savings
Companies can easily reduce costs that are associated with office space maintenance like building rent, utilities, office supplies, etc.
4. Enhanced Employee Retention
Offering Work From Home or Remote Work model can boost employee retention rates. Because it provides flexibility to the employees and a sense of trust factor towards the employees which eventually develops a strong connection between employee and employer. Applying the remote work model also demonstrates a commitment towards the employees’ work-life balance.
“When asked during an interview about why you prefer to work from home, focus on how this arrangement is beneficial for the organization.”
Focusing on your own benefits of remote work is not a big deal and won’t help you in the interview. Rather you should anticipate explaining why you want to transition or looking to the remote work model and how the company can benefit by hiring you as a remote resource.
Few Tips to answer, "Why do you want to work remotely?"
1) Make sure you have a genuine and solid reason for opting remote work. Think about why you are actually looking for remote work and how it will enhance your productivity and help the company you applied for.
2) Try to research about the company’s values and mission which will help you to impress the interviewer about your involvement in the job and wanting to be associated with the company.
3) Highlight your reason for opting remote work model in a clear and concise statement that includes the benefits to the employer.
4) You can also use some specific examples or personal stories where you have finished your tasks in the best way possible by opting work from home or remote work.
5) Think of how remote work benefits both you and the company and express your interest in the position and the company
Wish you All the Best.!!
