Working from home may seem like a piece of cake since it comes with several undeniable luxuries, but it poses unique challenges you may have never encountered while working in an office. For instance, you may easily succumb to distractions (e.g., Netflix, sleeping on your bed), get burned out with countless online meetings, and lack the equipment necessary to submit quality work.
If you are transitioning from working in an office to becoming a remote worker, you should offer more than just the skills, knowledge, and experience to accomplish your tasks. You need to have what it takes to work from home successfully. It’s because fulfilling home-based jobs require a different work style.
When it comes to online home job interviews, expect the hiring manager to ask beyond questions specific to the role you are applying for. To better understand what your potential employers are looking for, here are the skills you need to have to become an effective remote worker:
Collaboration
Collaboration is one of the most common challenges faced by remote companies. It can be harder to work together when all team members are working from home. During the interview, the hiring manager might ask you how you see successful collaboration. They might also want you to share about how you work with others.
Communication
Brainstorming and discussing ideas in person lets you convey your message effectively to your team members. When working an international remote job, you may have difficulty expressing your thoughts to everyone because almost all communication is done via email, Slack, or Zoom.
Open communication is crucial to establish trust, build rapport, and avoid misunderstandings. Your remote interview gives you the perfect opportunity to show off your virtual communication skills. During the process, you can highlight your knowledge and experience in using digital tools.
Independence
Remote work means having to be comfortable with working independently. While you can always reach out to your team members for help, you have to be resourceful and learn how to find answers on your own. During your interview, prepare to discuss your independent work style. You can even cite some examples of your resourcefulness from your previous projects.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts and misunderstandings can be amplified in a remote environment. Chat conversations could be interpreted in different ways you never intended, which can unintentionally cause tension in the team. To show your effectiveness in reducing the risk of miscommunications and misinterpretations, be ready to talk to your potential employer about how you managed conflicts in your previous jobs.
Reliability
Being a remote worker means getting the job done with minimal supervision. Therefore, you need to show your potential employer that they can count on you to accomplish your tasks with quality, show up to meetings, meet deadlines, and keep them updated on your work.
Start building trust with your prospective co-workers during the interview process. To do this, show up on time and arm yourself with real-world examples demonstrating how dependable you are.
Conclusion
Working from home is truly different from working in an office. To successfully transition from being an in-office employee to a remote worker, be aware of their differences and the potential challenges you can face once you make the switch.
Take note of the soft skills you need to master to become an effective remote worker, and don’t forget to highlight them during your interview to increase your chances of landing your ideal remote job.
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