When Should You Ask About Telecommuting During Interview Process?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would absolutely ask. As I interview now - I have taken 6 months off to hang out with the kids - I am really demanding when interviewing. I've received 2 offers, but turned them down. I don't want to be in a position and know that it is not right for me. You need to know to see whether you want to continue the process. If you don't, you are wasting both your time and theirs. I think women tend not to be as forthright b/c they are afraid how it will be perceived. My husband is an interviewing master. He asks and gets what he wants. He is not shy. At the end of the day, it has to be the right fit for both.

Now having said that, I am in my 40s and have a lot of experience. I might not be as forthright if I was in my early 30s.

You've ruined the reputation of working mom's and have made it more difficult to get hired for those that aren't trying to abuse time off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe i'm just selfish with my time, but interviews can be LONG and I don't want to go through another round if there is a deal breaker I should know about.



Extreme example: We all only look for jobs in our city, say Springfield. What if instead we interviewed all over the country and when the offer came we try to negotiate "I currently work in Springfield, can I do this job in Springfield?" This is something the company knows the answer to upfront, and the job canidate should know too.

I can see that telecommuting can be seen as a benefit to negotiate (like leave or schedule), BUT it can also be seen as a condition of work. If OP absolutely knows she won't take a job outside of Springfield (e.g. without telecommuting rights), then she should find that out early.

You just have to know that even if telecommuting is an option, people like me would resent you asking during the interview process. If you're willing to blow the job, ask away and don't waste your time. As a general comment, if you are interested enough in the job to apply and consider interviewing, it is foolish to risk it by asking about commuting just to save time. You can learn a lot about the market, what employers are like, and even about yourself and your market value by going through the interview process.

If you're in a market position to make all kinds of demands and still get the best jobs out there, I suppose you can go ahead and demand away in the interview process. The vast majority of people, even very qualified, experienced folks, can do this. I am on interview panels from time to time and we are flooded with applicants. Many are very qualified on paper but it's things like interview etiquette gaffes (such as asking about telecommuting early in the process) that rule people out easily. I worry about someone's judgment and sense of entitlement. I say that as someone who telecommutes almost 100%. I didn't raise it in the interview but it became a subject of negotiation when an offer was made.

[Anonymous]

I would ask about the work-life balance in the interview, but not get specific about telecommuting/working from home...but I think it also depends on the line of work.

Then, if the offer came, I would pursue it further.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You just have to know that even if telecommuting is an option, people like me would resent you asking during the interview process. If you're willing to blow the job, ask away and don't waste your time. As a general comment, if you are interested enough in the job to apply and consider interviewing, it is foolish to risk it by asking about commuting just to save time. You can learn a lot about the market, what employers are like, and even about yourself and your market value by going through the interview process.

THIS is the issue. For OP, it's not just to save time, it's whether or not the job is realistic for her. That's the point one PP was making I think, telecommuting can be seen as a benefit (like leave, gym memberships) OR for some people it's a major feature of the job (like the nature of the work, amount of travel).

[Anonymous]

If I were interviewing, I would also be off put by someone asking this during the interview stage. I agree that at the time of offer, this is the right time to bring it up if you believe it would be a deal breaker. The fact that you are taking a pay cut and they know it I would think provides you some leverage.

[Anonymous]

I'd want them to offer the salary before I asked about telecommuting. They might lowball you if they think telecommunting is the most important thing to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You just have to know that even if telecommuting is an option, people like me would resent you asking during the interview process. If you're willing to blow the job, ask away and don't waste your time. As a general comment, if you are interested enough in the job to apply and consider interviewing, it is foolish to risk it by asking about commuting just to save time. You can learn a lot about the market, what employers are like, and even about yourself and your market value by going through the interview process.

THIS is the issue. For OP, it's not just to save time, it's whether or not the job is realistic for her. That's the point one PP was making I think, telecommuting can be seen as a benefit (like leave, gym memberships) OR for some people it's a major feature of the job (like the nature of the work, amount of travel).

THIS

[Anonymous]

I agree NEVER ask during the process. Ask after an offer.

[Anonymous]

Not OP but I am looking for a telecommute position. If that is my #1 requirement, is it ok to ask during the interview?

[Anonymous]

Not the OP but just want to thank everyone for their input. I am learning a lot by reading these responses.

[Anonymous]

I'm learning a lot too, and I wonder what field folks are in that asking about telecommuting is such a no-no. I conduct a lot of interviews (I'm not in HR), and when we open up the interview for questions, I would not bat an eye if someone asked what our policy was on telecommuting. I would be put off if someone insisted that they must telecommute, but just asking about the policy seems like a smart question. Everyone knows traffic in this area sucks, public transportation is terrible, and telecommuting can be not just a benefit for the employee but also the employer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You just have to know that even if telecommuting is an option, people like me would resent you asking during the interview process. If you're willing to blow the job, ask away and don't waste your time. As a general comment, if you are interested enough in the job to apply and consider interviewing, it is foolish to risk it by asking about commuting just to save time. You can learn a lot about the market, what employers are like, and even about yourself and your market value by going through the interview process.

THIS is the issue. For OP, it's not just to save time, it's whether or not the job is realistic for her. That's the point one PP was making I think, telecommuting can be seen as a benefit (like leave, gym memberships) OR for some people it's a major feature of the job (like the nature of the work, amount of travel).

Right, but beware that many employers will not appreciate candidates who view telecommuting as a feature of the job rather than a benefit. It's risky to treat it this way in an interview IMO, even if that's how you feel.

[Anonymous]

How old are the people here saying they'd be turned off by a question about telecommuting?

How old are those who wouldn't be?

I don't see telecommuting as a benefit the same way that leave is, but as another PP stated, it is a working condition. I think it is perfectly reasonable to ask about it at the first interview IF there is no way you'd be interested in the job if telecommuting weren't an option.

[Anonymous]

What I hate is when my workers "telecommute" and I can hear them playing or watching their kids in the background and sometimes I can even tell they are out of the house. I have kids and love kids but I know for a FACT that I cannot watch them and work at the same time. I would rather you take the time off than BS me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I hate is when my workers "telecommute" and I can hear them playing or watching their kids in the background and sometimes I can even tell they are out of the house. I have kids and love kids but I know for a FACT that I cannot watch them and work at the same time. I would rather you take the time off than BS me.

Believe it or not, some parents can actually work with their kids making noise at the same time. Just because you can't doesn't mean that no one else can.