3 Phrases Job Seekers Who Want to Work Remotely Never Say in Interviews
Remote work is becoming the new norm, but that doesn’t mean prospective employees don’t still have to fight for this benefit — or at least ask for it in interviews. Fortunately, many employers are becoming more accommodating of remote work and even encouraging employees to work from home.
Still, when you’re in an interview, you may find yourself trying to justify your desire to work remotely. That’s okay — many hiring managers will be more than willing to hear your reasoning. Just make sure you steer clear of these and similar phrases.
1. “I want to wear sweatpants every day.”
Sure, you may end up wearing sweatpants when you’re working from home, but it’s not a good idea to alert your would-be boss to that fact. Not only does it sound unprofessional, but it also makes you appear lazy, and that’s definitely a no-no in an interview.
2. “I don’t like having to interact with coworkers.”
Some people prefer working solo — perhaps they’re introverts and find the frequent office interactions exhausting. But collaboration doesn’t cease when teams work remotely. In fact, they need to make even more of an effort to collaborate effectively across locations and time zones.
If you say you’re excited to work alone, you’ll sound like you’re not up to working collaboratively and you’re not a team player. These soft skills are critical for all employees, no matter what your industry or role.
3. “I won’t have to pay for daycare.”
If you’re planning on doing double duty, taking care of your kids while working, then you’re only giving both responsibilities half your attention. That’s not something your prospective employer wants to hear. While they might be sympathetic — and they should care about your work-life balance! — this is phrase is not something to say in an interview, especially not as justification for your desire to work from home.
In general, rather than touting the convenience working remotely offers you, you should focus on the benefits for your employer — less time spent commuting (which translates to more time you can work), increased productivity and so on. These are the selling points that will really matter!
