You've found the perfect job opening, it ticks all your boxes, but wait -- it doesn't say whether you can work from home or if you have to go into the office? Is it a remote job? Is it hybrid? What's the deal, amirite?
Just because it isn't stated in the job listing doesn't mean that it isn't a possibility. So don't write off this perfect dream job of yours just yet, here is how you can ask about WFH in a job interview.
Build a Rapport First
Even if it's all your can think about, you need to come across as a desirable candidate before anything. Whether you're emailing with a recruiter or hiring manager or it's a screener interview, you need to make sure to build a rapport before blurting out: CAN I WORK FROM HOME??? Make sure they know you're interested in this position for the other reasons that caught your attention. This will make you seem engaged and excited about the position and company, which is what these first interviews are looking for.
Make Sure to Ask in the First Interview
If you know you want a job where you can wfh, then you should find it out sooner than later. Once you've built a rapport and you've moved onto "do you have any questions for me" this is when you want to ask. If working from an office or in a hybrid model is a dealbreaker for you, there's no use wasting your or anyone else's time moving forward with the interview process if you aren't able to wfh. These policies are pretty tight at most places, so waiting until the end when they want to hire you (like you would for salary negotiation) is probably going to still provide you with the same answer on whether you can work from home or not.
Ask Politely
This should go without saying, but I feel like it needs to be said. Make sure when you ask, you ask politely. Do bluntly ask "CAN I WFH?" Let's put a little finesse around it shall we? Here are some great ways to ask about working from home:
"Just curious if employees are working from home or at the office?"
"What's your policy for working remotely vs the office?"
"Is working from home an option, or what is the policy at XYZ company?"
Can You WFH Forever?
If you are wondering if you can work from home indefinitely, then you will need to rephrase how you ask. All the same rules apply: build a rapport, ask in the first interview if it's a dealbreaker, ask politely. If the interviewer isn't explicit on the future plans when you ask about their current wfh policy or if they list out that you are able to work remote in a job posting, it's always better to ask than to assume that it's forever. Here are a few ways to ask about a company's future policy around working remote:
"Is there a plan in place for returning to the office?"
"Has XYZ company discussed a hybrid work model been discussed for the future?"
In Conclusion
Interviewing is like dating, you want to woo the other person so that they are interested in you but do it while finding out as much as you can about them to ensure it's something you want to move forward with... and if you do want to move forward you don't want to scare them off! That is essentially what you are doing here. Good luck!
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