If you are attending a job interview for a position that will start remotely, it is important to learn about the company’s working culture both remotely and in the office. As many experts point out today, remote work can offer many benefits, of course, if it suits you. By establishing effective and healthy communication with your managers and team members, let’s take a look at what questions you should ask for the position you are hoping to work in!
Do I work during regular office hours? If the answer is 'No,' can I learn what time frame I will be working in?
If you are applying for a full-time position, it is useful to learn from the beginning what kind of flexibility you will have when working in a home-office setup. Currently, companies have various working arrangements that differ from the traditional hours and days. You can confidently ask about the schedule of your new team and their expectations from you.
According to career coaches, the idea that you can set your own working hours when working remotely is a common misconception. In most companies, just like when you're in the office, working hours still apply, and these hours are planned according to your entire team’s schedule. The good part is, if you’re working remotely in a crowded city like Istanbul, those hours spent on the road are reduced to just 10 seconds, from your desk to your chair!
What percentage of the team is working remotely? Is this arrangement permanent?
When speaking with HR or the hiring manager, questions like these about the team structure can help you understand whether remote work has been normalized in the organizational culture.
While some companies have fully adapted to a home-office setup, certain teams or departments may still need to be in the office on a rotational basis. Especially considering that production and R&D teams are expected to be physically on-site, teams whose work is more computer-based are adapting to working from home. You can inquire about what the current arrangement is like and how long it is expected to last.
How does the team communicate? What tools do you use to collaborate on tasks?
Here’s a great tip you can use in all your upcoming interviews. Asking managers about their leadership style and team dynamics is always a smart move. When you’re not physically in the same environment, there will be times when your manager, colleague, or any team member will need quick updates. This is why companies now provide communication networks where everyone can quickly give directives and feedback through such platforms. Being able to interact and stay connected with your team, just as if you were in the office, sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? Rest assured, this method is far more effective than sending emails!
How is feedback given to remote employees?
Receiving feedback from a manager usually happens informally in an office environment. They might stop by to congratulate you on a job well done or briefly share their expectations for a new project. While working remotely, it's quite possible and easy for this kind of interaction to disappear.
The best way to learn how to receive feedback is still by asking. If the response is given with examples and through an ideal scenario, that’s definitely a plus. If the response is delayed or redirected to another process, you may receive signals that the company is not very concerned with the remote work perspective from the employees’ point of view.
What kind of regular social events does the team or department have?
To learn if they have a social team culture, you can pick up small clues about how they bring the team together while working remotely. If you identify yourself as an employee who wants to feel more integrated with the team, the presence of such events will likely put you at ease. If the response only mentions lunchtime outings during office hours, we can’t say the company has a satisfying culture. However, if the answer includes social examples like online discussions, virtual coffee chats, online workshops, or hobby-focused training during remote work, that's great news! You might be exactly where you're looking for.
Due to the increasing precautions, more companies are open to remote work, so it's up to you to determine whether the job position you’re interviewing for is the 'right' remote job. Every question you ask to understand this concept, which can vary from person to person, will turn the interview process to your advantage in learning whether this culture suits you and your career.