What to Ask During Interviews with Candidates
Key questions to help you find the perfect remote worker
Interviewing potential remote workers is an important step to ensure you find the right match for your business needs.
Once you’ve scheduled an interview with a candidate through their profile, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the conversation. During the interview, you’ll likely go over the details of the role, your expectations, and the kind of tasks the candidate would be handling. These interviews are meant to be informal, so think of them as a chance to get to know the person behind the profile and see if they’re a good fit for your team.
What to Cover in the Interview
Previous work experience: Ask about the candidate’s background and relevant tasks they’ve handled. This helps you gauge if they have the skills needed for your position.
Job specifics: Discuss the exact tasks you want them to do and see if they feel confident and excited about those responsibilities.
Availability: Clarify their working hours and ensure they align with your business needs.
Personality fit: Use the conversation to get a sense of their communication style, work ethic, and motivation.
Once you’ve scheduled an interview with a candidate through their profile, it’s a good idea to be prepared for the conversation. During the interview, you’ll likely go over the details of the role, your expectations, and the kind of tasks the candidate would be handling. These interviews are meant to be informal, so think of them as a chance to get to know the person behind the profile and see if they’re a good fit for your team.
What to Cover in the Interview
Previous work experience: Ask about the candidate’s background and relevant tasks they’ve handled. This helps you gauge if they have the skills needed for your position.
Job specifics: Discuss the exact tasks you want them to do and see if they feel confident and excited about those responsibilities.
Availability: Clarify their working hours and ensure they align with your business needs.
Personality fit: Use the conversation to get a sense of their communication style, work ethic, and motivation.
Great Questions to Ask for Deeper Insight
If you want inspiration, here are some tried-and-true questions that often lead to meaningful and revealing interviews:
Tell me something about yourself that isn’t on your bio.
— This encourages them to share more personal or unique information beyond their resume.
What career accomplishment makes you most proud?
— Find out what successes they value and how they measure achievement.
Tell me about a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.
— Learn how they handle challenges and problem-solve under pressure.
What motivates you to work?
— Understand their drivers and what keeps them engaged.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
— Helps you see self-awareness and areas for growth.
What one skill would you like to improve and what’s your plan for doing so?
— Shows commitment to personal and professional development.
Give me an example of a time when you played a leadership role in an event, an activity, a department, or a project. Describe how you led the efforts.
— Tests leadership ability and teamwork skills.
What hours of the day are you available, and what hours are you unavailable to work?
— Confirm scheduling and ensure availability aligns with your business hours.
Do you have any questions for me?
— A good interview ends with this to let the candidate clarify doubts and demonstrate interest.
Tell me something about yourself that isn’t on your bio.
— This encourages them to share more personal or unique information beyond their resume.
What career accomplishment makes you most proud?
— Find out what successes they value and how they measure achievement.
Tell me about a difficult work situation and how you overcame it.
— Learn how they handle challenges and problem-solve under pressure.
What motivates you to work?
— Understand their drivers and what keeps them engaged.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
— Helps you see self-awareness and areas for growth.
What one skill would you like to improve and what’s your plan for doing so?
— Shows commitment to personal and professional development.
Give me an example of a time when you played a leadership role in an event, an activity, a department, or a project. Describe how you led the efforts.
— Tests leadership ability and teamwork skills.
What hours of the day are you available, and what hours are you unavailable to work?
— Confirm scheduling and ensure availability aligns with your business hours.
Do you have any questions for me?
— A good interview ends with this to let the candidate clarify doubts and demonstrate interest.
After the Interview
Once the interview’s done and you’re ready to move forward, you can hire the worker directly from their profile by clicking the “Hire” button.
Still exploring options? You can always keep browsing candidates via our Search Page or check out the “Similar Profiles” section located at the bottom of each worker’s profile. These are suggested based on the skills and background of the person you just viewed.
Need a refresher on how to search for the right fit? Here’s a full guide: Hiring Flow: From Searching to Your First Remote Worker
Final Tip
Remember, the interview is a two-way street. It’s not just about finding someone who fits your needs but also about showing your potential remote worker that your business is a great place to work. Be open, clear, and kind throughout the process.