When you’re interviewing a potential employee for a job, there are certain interview questions you’ll ask that relate to the position. You’ll find out about the job candidate’s previous work experience, his skill set, and even try to uncover those critically important soft skills that ultimately uncover who is the perfect person for the position. But what about questions for flexible schedule jobs in particular?
When you’re hiring for flexible schedule jobs, there is a whole other set of questions that are important to ask too.
If you’re interviewing for flexible schedule jobs, here are 10 interview questions to ask.
1. What does a flexible job mean to you?
Job seekers want workplace flexibility for a variety of reasons. It can range from caring for an aging relative, to a disabled worker who would have trouble commuting into a traditional office, to working parents who need a more forgiving schedule. Understanding why the person you’re interviewing wants a flexible schedule job can give you a glimpse into his life and what his work-life balance needs are.
2. Do you have the ability to move from one task to another with ease?
It’s critical for a flexible schedule worker to be able to stay focused—and stay on task—without having a boss breathing down his neck. Being able to switch tasks easily is a good skill for flexible schedule employees.
3. Are you able to sit down and focus at different times of the day?
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Sure, having a flexible schedule job means that, in theory, your employee can start or stop his workday depending on what needs to be done, both professionally and personally. Even still, you want to ensure that he’s able to stick to somewhat of a schedule in order to get his work done, no matter what time of day it is.
4. Can you make yourself work when you might normally be watching TV or doing other leisure activities?
If your flexible schedule staffer is going to be working from home, this is an important area to discuss. For job seekers who have no previous remote experience, the transition from toiling in a noisy office space all day to trying to work at home (with its many, many distractions) can prove to be tricky. By asking this question, you’re reminding the job candidate that even though he’s home (and the TV might be calling his name), his first priority should be work.
5. Do you have good time management skills?
While studies have shown that workers with flexible schedules tend to work harder and are more productive than their in-office peers, there’s still a learning curve when someone first starts to work flexibly. Hiring an employee who is able to be responsible for his job duties—whatever his schedule—without having to constantly supervise him is a critical skill, no matter what industry you’re in.
6. Are you self-directed and disciplined enough to not procrastinate?
Again, this is where time management comes into play. While a potential employee might respond with an, “Of course,” you want to hear specific examples of how he has exhibited discipline in the past. You want someone who can work independently, so you don’t have to change your management tactics to include being a micromanager.
7. Can you work alone without close supervision?
Even though your company offers various communication tools to keep its teams connected, the long and the short of it is that those with flexible schedule jobs often work alone. Being able to do so without incessant supervision can save you a lot in time, money, and reduced stress.
8. Can you be available to work at different times throughout the day/week/month?
Not all flexible schedule jobs are created equal. While some offer almost complete flexibility (and freedom), others don’t. Some remote companies require their employees to be flexible with their time, meaning that they might be called to work at hours beyond their normal work schedule. Knowing how flexible your potential employee can be might make the difference in hiring him—or not.
9. If you were hired, what would your ideal work schedule be like?
Some people are early birds, while others get into the work groove at 2:00 a.m. This question should be asked to determine what type of schedule your candidate envisions having. And while flexible schedule jobs allow employees to customize their workday, there should still be somewhat of a schedule that the worker follows, if not only to match his schedule, more or less, to his fellow remote team members, but to also maintain his productivity.
If his intended schedule sounds erratic, or he can’t pinpoint when he would be able to work on any given day of the week, he might not be a good fit for your organization.
10. Why do you want to work for this company?
Although this might seem like a standard question for any organization, the answer to this should be noteworthy, particularly since the person is applying to work at a company that offers flexible schedule jobs. If the candidate responds with, “I’m tired of being micromanaged,” or, “I want more control over my schedule,” as his first response, you might want to think twice about hiring the person.
The ideal answer should focus on what the candidate admires or respects about your company, along with how he feels he can contribute to that. The flexibility factor should come in as one of the last reasons a potential employee wants to work for you.
These 10 interview questions for flexible schedule jobs can help you as you go through the job interview process, separating the candidates who have what it takes to work for your organization plus the ability to work remotely—and do it all with ease.
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