If you are a stay at home mom going back to work, then it must be exciting and overwhelming. Whether you took time off to pursue further education, take care of your children, or deal with personal circumstances, the prospect of re-entering the workforce can be daunting.

However, with the right mindset, preparation, and strategies, you can successfully make the transition back to work and excel in your career. In this article, we’ll share proven tips and insights to help stay at home mom return to work and make a successful comeback to the workforce.

Table of Contents:

• Top 8 Tips for Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work
• What to do After You Get the Job?

Top 8 Tips for Stay at Home Mom Returning to Work

1. Assess Your Skills & Strengths
2. Update Your Resume & Social Profiles
3. Practice Interviewing
4. Network and Connect With Other Professionals
5. Seek Out Support & Get Some Advice
6. Be Open to New Opportunities
7. Consider Part-time or Flexible Work Options
8. Be Patient and Persistent

Recommended: Top Companies Offering Child Care Benefits

1) Assess Your Skills & Strengths

The first thing the stay at home moms going back to work should do is assess their skills. You should take some time to evaluate your skills and strengths.

Think about what you enjoyed doing before you became a stay-at-home mom (SAHM). Consider any hobbies or personal interests that may translate into a job opportunity. 

Also, think about the skills you developed while raising your children or managing your household like time management, organization, and multitasking.

Furthermore, you can take online assessments or personality tests to help identify your strengths and potential career paths.

2) Update Your Resume & Social Profiles

Once you are done assessing your skills and strengths, start updating your resume. Begin by listing your past work experience, volunteer/ freelance work, and any new skills you’ve acquired while you are away from the workforce. Also, include education courses you have completed.

Keep your resume up-to-date and be sure to tailor your resume to each job you apply for, highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

Along with your resume, it is crucial for SAHM going back to work to update their social profile(s) as well. In case, you don’t have a social account, create one like a professional Twitter account or a LinkedIn profile. Because 57% of recruiters are less likely to invite a candidate who is an online ghost.

Source – careerbuilder.com

3) Practice Interviewing

When you are a mom going back to work after 10 years/ 5 years/ 1 year, interviews can be nerve-wracking (especially if you haven’t done it in a while). That’s why practice interviewing with a friend or family member and prepare answers to common interview questions.

Note that some of the questions can be tough and may be personal. Here are some tips on how to answer such questions. 

Answering Tough Questions

One of the most common and challenging questions that stay-at-home moms may face during an interview is about how they will manage work and family responsibilities. For instance, the interviewer may ask, how will you take care of your children? Who will cook for them? or How will you manage your household responsibilities?

Mostly, employers are concerned about your availability and reliability. So, it’s important to address these questions with confidence and honesty. Be prepared to discuss your childcare plans and how you will manage your schedule to accommodate both work and family obligations.

Another essential tip is to be transparent about your employment gap. So, don’t try to cover up. Instead, explain the reasons for your time away from the workforce and emphasize any relevant skills or experience you gained during that time.

Recommended: Smart Questions to Ask Employer Before Job Interview

4) Network and Connect With Other Professionals

Networking is key to finding job opportunities and making connections in your industry as you never know who is able to connect you with your next job opportunity.

Thus, if you are going back to work after being a stay at home mom, reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and other professionals in your field. Attend networking events, join professional groups, and connect with others on LinkedIn. This will help you build relationships, learn about current industry trends, and gain valuable insights into the job market.

5) Seek Out Support & Get Some Advice

Going back to work after stay at home mom can be stressful. So, it’s important to seek out support from family, friends, or a support group. In case your friends or relatives are SAHMs, then ask their advice and see how they balance their work and family life.

If you personally don’t know any working parents, look for online groups and connect with them virtually. Joining a support group, such as a working moms group, can provide you with valuable advice, resources, and guidance. You will have the opportunity to share your experiences, ask questions, and receive support from others who understand what you’re going through.

Additionally, consider working with a career coach or mentor who can help you navigate the job search, create a career plan, and provide feedback on your resume and interviewing skills.

6) Be Open to New Opportunities

Be open to new job opportunities and don’t limit yourself to the same type of job you had before becoming a stay-at-home mom. 

We understand that you may have a specific career path in mind, but it’s important to consider other options as well. Embrace learning new skills and trying out new things. 

Look for job openings that align with your interests and values, even if they are not in your desired field. Consider internships, temporary positions, or contract work. 

All these can help you gain experience, build your skills, and make new connections. Remember, the job market is constantly changing, and new opportunities may arise that you hadn’t previously considered. By being open to new opportunities, you can expand your horizons and find a career that works for you and your family.

7) Consider Part-time or Flexible Work Options

As a stay-at-home mom, you may have other responsibilities that require your attention, such as caring for your children or managing your household. Consider part-time or flexible work options that can accommodate your schedule. Look for jobs that offer flexible hours, telecommuting options, or job-sharing arrangements.

When searching for a job, use keywords like “stay at home moms go back to work” or “stay at home mom back to work” to find an employer who values the unique skills and experiences that you will bring to the table. These keywords can help you find job postings and employers who specifically cater to moms returning to work after a career break.

Recommended: Top 10 Nomad Jobs You Can Do From Anywhere

8) Be Patient and Persistent

Returning to work after being a stay-at-home mom can be challenging, but it’s important to be confident in your abilities and persistent in your job search. Do not let any rejections or setbacks discourage you from applying to more jobs.

Many employers offer work-from-home options and flexible schedules that can be beneficial for stay-at-home moms. Though, finding a job can take time, especially in today’s job market. 

In fact, as per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average length of unemployment was 20.4 weeks in January 2023. This is equivalent to 4.6 months of unemployment.

So, be patient and keep applying for jobs, attending networking events, and building your skills. Eventually, you will come across the opportunity that is right for you.

Recommended: 10 Reasons For Not Hearing Back From Job Applications

What to do After You Get the Job?

First of all, congratulations! You have successfully made a comeback to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom. Here are some tips to help you adjust to your new work routine.

1) Establish a Schedule

Create a routine that works well for you and your family. Plan out your work hours, childcare arrangements, meal times, and other household tasks. All this will aid you in staying organized and reducing your stress.

2) Test Run With Your Children

If your children will be at home while you’re working, have a test run with them before your start date. This will help you see how they handle the new routine so you can make any necessary adjustments.

3) Communicate With Your Employer

Be upfront with your employer about your family responsibilities and any potential scheduling conflicts. It helps you establish a positive working relationship and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

4) Take Care of Yourself

Once you get the job, it is easy to get immersed in your work and neglect self-care. Thus, remember to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Be sure to prioritize self-care and remember to take breaks and exercise. It’s always important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout.

Recommended: Top 10 Companies Offering 4-day Work Week Jobs

Are You Ready to Get Back to Work?

Finally, remember to stay positive throughout the process of becoming a stay-at-home mom back to work.

In conclusion, returning to work after being a stay-at-home mom requires some preparation and strategy. But, it’s definitely possible to make a successful transition. By following the tips provided in this article, you can definitely get back into the workforce.

In case you get the job, we also provided tips to assist you in adapting to your new work routine.

Now, apply for flexible work by visiting HomeJobsHub. There you can discover remote jobs in a variety of industries. Most importantly, you don’t have to constantly check your account for new job postings as their AI will notify you automatically when there is a job opening matching your skills and requirements.

So, simply sign up to earn a living with their reliable and efficient partners.

Want to know what question to ask before interview to help you in the preparation process? Then, this article is for you.

Usually, you will be preparing answers for your job interview right before attending one. That’s only natural as an interview is the best chance for you to prove that you are the perfect fit for the open position.

However, in order to understand the company and your job better and for your preparation to be fruitful you need to ask the right questions. That is why we will go over the 10 best questions to ask recruiter before interview here.

Top 10 Questions To Ask Before An Interview

1. What Is The Interview Process And Timeline?
2. What’s The Interview Format And What Type Of Questions Should You Expect?
3. Can You Tell Me The Skills/ Qualities You Are Looking For In A Candidate?
4. Why’s The Position Open?
5. What Do People In This Role Typically Do?
6. How Would You Describe The Company’s Culture?
7. What Is The Salary Range For This Position/ Role?
8. Can You Tell Me About Company’s Remote Work Plans?
9. How Quickly Do You Need To Fill The Open Position?
10. What Interview Attire You Should Wear?

Recommended: 12 proven tips on getting better at job interviews 

1) What Is The Interview Process And Timeline?

This is one of the most useful questions to ask before interview. Because the answer clarifies the time it takes to complete the whole interview process. So, you know when you can expect to hear from the HR team.

Also, the recruiter may share the layout of the interview process and what it typically includes. This helps you to anticipate the steps you need to take and prepare in advance.

Overall, it allows you to determine whether the process fits with your timeline. When you are in need of a job that starts immediately, knowing that the security clearances take weeks will be crucial a piece of information to have.

2) What’s The Interview Format And What Type Of Questions Should You Expect?

If you are wondering “how to ask what to expect in an interview?”, then this question is the way to do it. 

You can learn whether the company sets a panel interview or a group interview. In a panel interview, you will face more than one assessor. While in a group interview, you are questioned along with other potential candidates.

Usually, the questions are behavioral, resume-based, opinion-related, brain teasers, or general interview queries.

By knowing the interview format and types of questions beforehand, you can prepare accordingly. In case it is an online interview, then proceed to brush up on your video interviewing skills.

Recommended: Guide for one-way interview

3) Can You Tell Me The Skills/ Qualities You Are Looking For In A Candidate?

Usually, the job description lists desired qualifications and requirements. Then why are we including this in the list of questions to ask recruiters before interview? That is because the answer can reveal more about the job’s priorities.

The organization may need a person with a strong personality who takes charge or someone who goes with the flow and executes tasks as per instructions. Also, they may want a self-starter who brings fresh ideas to the table and communicates well with others.

Insider information will definitely give clues about what skills you need to emphasize and what stories you should talk about during the interview. Along with technical skills, remember to talk about soft skills that set you apart from other candidates.

4) Why’s The Position Open?

Asking an enterprise why they are hiring for a particular role will give you useful insights about your career opportunities, the company’s direction, and what situation you will be walking into if you become an employee.

The previous employee may be fired, advanced in their career (promoted), or moved on to a different job. Whatever the case, you get a better idea of the dynamics and opportunities involved with the job role.

When the job is entirely new, then you should ask why it is created. The answer tells you if you are filling a role that is stable or one with no security and with a chance of getting removed once the requirement finishes.

5) What Do People In This Role Typically Do?

Another important question to ask before interview is the one related to your job role and position. It helps you to build context around the skill you need to have for the job.

Though the recruiter may not know every detail about your role, this query may reveal important information about your responsibilities, your team, work hours, etc. 

6) How Would You Describe The Company’s Culture?

While you can get the details of your tasks easily from the job description, pinning the culture of a company would be difficult. So, one of the questions to ask employer before interview is about the organization’s culture.

It will give you a full picture of what life at the enterprise will be like and whether it befits your values and needs.

7) What Is The Salary Range For This Position/ Role?

This definitely is one of the crucial questions to ask HR before interview. You need to make sure that there is no gray area and that you know the starting salary or pay role for the job. Because you don’t want to spend your time on the whole recruitment process for a job that pays less.

In fact, most of the time, the interviewer asks about your salary expectations. Thus, it would be better to have an idea about it beforehand. Do some research and learn the salary range for the job role. If the company is paying you less than the market value, you can choose to talk about it during the interview or look for a job that offers a better salary.

8) Can You Tell Me About Company’s Remote Work Plans?

Source – flexjobs.com

From the above image, you can see that employees with flexible work options feel better than the ones without flexible options.

Moreover, according to a survey, the number of work-from-home job postings across countries has increased as part of the pandemic effect. It clearly reveals that the number of companies offering remote work increased in recent years.

Even if an organization is not fully remote, there is a chance that they offer a hybrid and flexible working environment for a few days a year. With this question, you can inquire about them.

In case you are applying for a work-at-home position, then prepare for remote interview questions and learn how to respond to the query why do you want to work remotely? from here.

9) How Quickly Do You Need To Fill The Open Position?

Through this question, you will know how soon the company needs an employee. You can learn whether the recruitment process takes days, weeks, or months. 

By considering the new information, you may prioritize the interviews. And ensure to not miss the interviews that offer the jobs immediately while trying to attend the interviews that are casual and may take months for the recruitment process to complete. 

Even after knowing the timeline, sometimes you might get anxious while waiting for the interview results. In those times, just remember that employers don’t always give responses right away. If you want to why, just click on the provided link.

10) What Interview Attire You Should Wear?

Whether it is an online or offline interview, it is important to make a good first impression. Therefore, find out what employees usually wear and use it as a guide to picking your interview outfit.

Note to wear something first-class, i.e. one level higher than the organization’s standards, and don’t overdress or undress yet remember to be professional.

Recommended: How to write a cold email for a job?

Additional Questions To Ask Before The Interview

Here are some more questions that you can ask the recruiter before the job interview.

Get Ready To Ask Proper Questions

Instead of wondering what to ask before an interview, just use the above questions as it is or tweak them a bit to match your needs. 

But never use phrases like “please share anything that will help prepare for our meeting”. Surely, you don’t want to appear too ignorant or desperate. Plus, you need to frame a proper question in order to receive a proper reply.

Now, if you want to apply for more jobs, then you can visit HomeJobsHub. There you will find remote jobs in a variety of industries and fields. Just sign up and apply for open positions to start earning right from the comfort of your home.

Finally, good luck with your interview and job search!

It is common for applicants to undergo a pre-screening process before getting scheduled for an interview. While using phones to do preliminary interviews is common, it needs companies to have a team of people.

Thus, with the increase in technology, organizations are going for automated pre-screening methods. One way interview or one-way video interview is one such method.

Understanding the one way interviews and knowing how to crack them will definitely help you to move one step ahead in the recruitment/ hiring process.

So, without further ado, let’s learn what is a one way video interview.

What is a One Way Interview?

The one-way interview is also known as a pre-recorded interview, asynchronous interview, digital interview, or virtual interview. 

Here, you have to record your responses to shortlisted questions with text, video, or audio. The interview is conducted through a website or internet-enabled devices using digital interviewing software. 

Let’s understand how the interview process goes.

Interview Process:

First, the recruiter creates and records the interview questions in text, video, or audio format. Sometimes, they even prepare coding challenges and sample scenarios. Next, they invite the candidates for the interview through email. Usually, they will specify a time period before which you need to complete it.

Now, you have to open the link. Read the questions and answer them while recording your responses using a phone camera, webcam, or another device that has the capability to gather audio and/ or video.

Finally, HR will review your responses and decides whether to proceed with the face-to-face interview or not.

Overall, one way video interviews help employers to perform pre-screening in an automated manner.

Source – hr-brew.com

Also, read – 12 Proven Tips to Get Better At Job Interviews

Why Do Employers Use One way Video Interviewing Method?

It offers many distinct advantages when compared to traditional preliminary interviews.

1) Scheduling

Scheduling interviews becomes easier as HR doesn’t have to think about who is available and when. They can just send access to recorded questions to the candidates. And you can answer them at your convenience but within the specified time period. 

Moreover, the HR department can review your responses at their leisure.

2) Assess Technological Skills

If the job requires you to handle systems and software applications, then the one-way interview is the way through which a recruiter can test your abilities. Because

1. The one-way interview process itself requires you to operate certain software applications.
2. HR has the authority to record the audio and video while you answer your preliminary interview questions.

In the end, by evaluating the recorded preliminary interview, recruiters can assess your technological skills.

3) Widens Candidate’s Pool

Since there is no need for you to reach a company for an interview, you can also apply for the job even when you live a long distance. This increases the company’s chance of getting the best candidate for the job.

Also, read – Steps to Write a Cold Email For a Job

How to Proceed With One Way Interviews?

The following steps will help you in proceeding with the one-way video interviews easily.

#1 Read the Instructions Thoroughly

Almost all jobs require you to follow certain instructions. Hence, if you send a response that is not as per the given instructions, the recruiter will not feel confident enough to proceed further.

Therefore, you should always read the provided information thoroughly. And, ensure that you understand exactly what you are being asked to do.

For instance, some employers want the recorded video to have a specific name and in a particular format. Make sure to adhere to them.

#2 Choose the Recording Space

Even though it is a one-way interview, you should attend it in a noise-free environment with good lighting. 

• Find a space with a clean background such as a bookshelf or a wall. 
• You may clear your curtains to have natural light. 
• But do not open the windows and doors as there should be no background noise that will distract the employers. Plus, with noise, they may not be able to clearly hear what you are saying.

Choose a distraction-free space where the focus can be entirely on you.

#3 Use the Right Equipment

Generally, most laptops come with webcams and mics through which you can record video and audio. However, the quality of those recordings usually is not great.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, use better recording equipment. But this is not necessary unless you are applying for media-related roles. Usually, most employers understand even if you use your mobile phones or laptops. 

In case you still want to make a good impression, instead of buying equipment, you can use certain software applications to make the quality of your recordings better.

#4 Practice Your Responses

Practicing your responses helps in not making too many mistakes. Plus, you will be able to answer the questions in your natural tone. 

Actually, just repeating your noted answers may sound too crude. So, when recording, pretend that you are talking with HR directly to deliver your responses better and in a conversational way.

Another benefit of practicing is that you can test out your equipment and any software applications you will be using. Practice a session while imaging it as your actual interview to ensure that your equipment and software functionality is good and there are no errors or any other issues.

Once you are satisfied with your response, start the actual one way video interview.

#5 Meet The Deadline

Note that sometimes you are allowed to re-record your response but it is not always the case. Also, in most scenarios, there will be limited time for you to answer questions. So, know how the process works before you start by reading the instructions carefully. 

Keeping in mind all these things including the time it takes for your practice and recording, plan your schedule well. By sticking to it, you can make sure that you submit your answers within the specified time period.

Remember that in case you miss the deadline, there is a chance that the recruiter may not even look at your responses.

Also, read – 11 Common Remote Job Questions Asked In Interviews

Tips to Ace One Way Video Interviews

1) Stay on Time Limit

As said earlier, many one-way interviews have a time limit for answering questions. Such interviews display a timer on the screen for your convenience. Hence, keep an eye on it to not waste too much time while answering a question.

2) Maintain Eye Contact

Similar to how you’d maintain eye contact with an employer in a face-to-face interview, here too you should look at the camera. 

Most of the time when recording, you watch yourself on the screen. When you do this, it may seem like you are looking at something off-camera. It may give an impression that you are distracted or worse, cheating on the test.

We understand that staring at the camera may seem weird or awkward at first. But with practice, you can get used to it.

3) Dress Professionally

To relay that you are taking this opportunity seriously, dress the way you dress for a face-to-face interview. 

Don’t think that since only the top part of your body is visible, I can wear comfortable clothes waist down. You can never know what happens. There is a chance that when you move just a bit your unprofessional dress may get recorded. It will be worse in scenarios where the one-way interview doesn’t allow re-recording.

To not take any chance of getting a rejection, dress professionally from head to toe. Further, it can help you to get into the mindset of doing an actual physical interview.

4) Be Confident

Whether it is a face-to-face or one-way interview, you should always be confident. If you are not confident that you can do the job, how can a recruiter trust you? Therefore, to relay that you are better suited for the job, you should sound confident. 

To show it, keep a smile on your face and maintain eye contact with the camera, and make it seem like you are having a conversation with the interviewer.

Also, read – 10 Companies Providing 4 Day Work Week Jobs

Last Words

Do you know big companies such as Google, Apple, Twitter, and many more are using one-way video interviews as a part of their hiring process?

Even though a one-way interview method may seem relatively new to you, it is not difficult to crack. Just practice more to sound natural and confident. Follow the steps and tips mentioned above to perform better in your preliminary interview.

After completing your preparation, you can apply for the jobs by visiting HomeJobsHub. They have a variety of remote jobs from different industries. Just sign up and their AI will inform you of new job postings matching your skills and requirements. So, you can apply for them easily.

What sets you apart from others candidates? is a question that an interviewer asks to learn about the intangible skills that make you stand out. So, you need to answer the question carefully as it can be a deciding factor on whether to hire you or not.

From the assessment of Wonderlic, it is revealed that 93% of employers rated soft skills as “essential” or “very important” while making hiring decisions. 

The good news is that soft skills are not specific to any field. So, regardless of your field go through this article to find out the soft skills you need to get hired.

Top 10 Skills That Make You Stand Out

1. Optimism
2. Team Player
3. Empathy and Self-awareness
4. Intellectual Curiosity
5. Willingness to Learn
6. Work Ethic
7. Integrity
8. Self-confidence
9. Flexibility and Adaptability
10. Problem-Solving Mindset

Recommended: 11 Remote Job Interview Questions Asked in an Interview

1) Optimism

Optimistic people can motivate their team when they are facing tough times. Even when there is a challenge, people with a positive attitude tend to be quick to take on the task than pessimistic people.

According to Forbes, optimistic people are 103% more motivated to do their best at the work. This is enough for HR to consider candidates with a positive attitude.

Moreover, displaying a positive attitude shows how enthusiastic you are about the job and creates a good impression.

2) Team Player

You would be hard-pressed to find a job that doesn’t require you to work with others. Therefore, employers would want a person who can coordinate and work well with a team.

To relay that you are a good team player, share a story about an instance where you joined forces with your team to finish a project that gave desired results.

3) Empathy and Self-awareness

Whether you are working from home or from an office, being empathetic to your team including your boss can go a long way. You must be aware of your actions and how they affect others in your workplace. 

Being self-absorbed doesn’t get you anywhere. So, ask yourself, what sets me apart from others and tune in to your employer’s needs to prepare an appropriate answer.

4) Intellectual Curiosity

Employers don’t want a candidate who is applying for a job just because they found the posting. They want the one who is genuinely interested in the work and the company.

To display that you are passionate about the job, you need to show your intellectual curiosity which starts with your cover letter or resume. 

• You should do extensive research on the company, its history, and what it does.
• For the job interview prepare thoughtful questions to ask so you have the opportunity to know more about the company. It can also help you later when you have to decide whether to proceed with the job or not.

Actually, on average, a candidate refers to 18 different resources to research a company before applying. And, a job seeker trusts employees 3 times more than the company to get insightful information on what it’s really like to work there.

5) Willingness to Learn

In this ever-changing world, you will always find something to learn. As the technology gets upgraded so should you. You should be consistent to learn new things to gain knowledge and experience.

Every employer wants an employee who is willing to improve themselves. It is only possible when you are willing to learn. 

6) Work Ethic

As per McCrindle, in Australia, the average tenure in a job is 3.3 years. That means a school leaver or today’s millennial will likely have 17 different employers when we assume that they start working by the age of 18 and retire at 75.

Regardless of changing jobs, initially, when hired most employees start with a good work ethic. They are punctual and show up on time, work extra hours, and harder to show their devotion.

However, over time things change and all this gradually disappears. People start arriving late, then leave early, and at times postpone their tasks. Therefore employees prefer a person who can maintain their work ethic.

So, you need to talk about your past experiences to showcase your strong work ethic.

But, when you are saying what sets you apart from other candidates examples, remember not to brag too much. It could become an instant turn-off for your interviewer.

7) Integrity

An article published in BusinessInsider reveals that Warren Buffett looks for three traits in an employee – intelligence, initiative or energy, and integrity. Moreover, integrity is most important because without it an employee can use their skills to work against the company.

Note that integrity is not about taking credit for a project where your team members or a colleague did more than half of the work. It is about valuing your partner’s work. It also displays the quality of a true leader which an employer will definitely remember.

8) Self-confidence

It is easy to lose confidence when you are in the process of searching for jobs. Going through different job postings for which you may or may not be qualified, applying, and not hearing from the employers can make you feel discouraged. 

But remember that there are many jobs for which you are the right fit.

• Just be persistent and send your cover letter and resume to all potential jobs.
• Be prepared for rejections and remember that it is just part of the job search process.
• Before you go for any interview be ready with your answers. For instance, question yourself “what sets me apart from other candidates?” and prepare an answer that showcases your skills and experience.

Remember that you are another applicant to a recruiter. Hence, when you doubt yourself and your abilities to do the job, HR will not feel confident to hire you. So, always display confidence when you are in an interview.

9) Flexibility and Adaptability

Things don’t always go as planned. So, you need to be flexible to adjust and adapt to any situation. No one especially employers don’t prefer the ones who keep on complaining about the difficulty of a problem. 

For example, a web developer who listens to the client’s feedback and makes changes accordingly is favored more than the one who is unwilling to follow the request.

Hence, flexibility and adaptability are key skills that an employer desires in a candidate. Also, these skills will bring you one step closer to getting the job.

10) Problem-Solving Mindset

For any kind of business, no two days are the same. Sitting there, doing nothing, and waiting for a solution to appear is not what an employer wants in a candidate. They need a person who can think on their feet. They prefer the ones who take over the situation and look for a solution.

Therefore, showcase your problem-solving skills by describing a situation where you displayed your creative thinking to resolve an issue.

How to Answer The Question – What Sets You Apart From Other Applicants?

1. Research The Job Requirements

Firstly, you need to do is understand your role. So, read the job description thoroughly to identify the job requirements and your responsibilities. It also helps you to understand what they expect from you. 

This should be part of your interview preparation process. Because, if you don’t learn about the company, the recruiter can tell. They will hire the ones that put in much more effort to learn about the job and the company.

2. Consider What Makes You Unique

Once you are done with research, think about “what three characteristics do you think set you apart from other applicants?” If you find more, list them out too. After that, pick the ones that are similar to the job requirements. 

Now, you need to design your answers to better match the company’s needs. For example, you can say:

“I noticed that the organization is searching for a candidate who can perform both data entry and data analysis. One thing that sets me apart from others is my advanced knowledge of Excel. In my previous job, I was responsible for creating multiple pivot tables that helped us to analyze complex data. With this unique advantage, I will be able to contribute more than other applicants.”

3. Stay on Topic

It is always best to keep your responses professional and work-related. Don’t respond to your interviewer with answers like I have a pet lizard or I was born with 6 toes.

Remember that you need to reveal your unique skills that are relevant to the job posting not boast about your capabilities. Crossing the line will only seem rude and arrogant. It will not help you to get the job.

4. Conclude With Confidence

Just saying the answers is not enough to entice the hiring manager. You need to respond with confidence. 

Your confidence stands as evidence that the skills you talked about are real. Otherwise, the interviewer might think that you are just giving fake information to get hired.

Recommended: How to Answer The Question “Why Do You Want to Work Remotely?”

Tip: Utilize Employer Branding While Preparing

Do you know many companies have employer branding? Well, it is how a company defines and presents itself online and offline from an employee’s perspective. In other words, it is branding and marketing of employment experience. 

They do this because –

• When an organization actively manages its employer brand, 94% of candidates are more likely to apply for a job there than in other organizations.
• Also, as per LinkedIn, strong employer branding can
  • Lead to 50% more qualified candidates.
  • Reduce 28% of the organization’s turnover and 50% of the cost per hire.

You can use this employer branding to learn more about a company before applying for any job position.

Interesting Facts on Onboarding

• The Brandon Hall Group research reveals that organizations that have a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% along with productivity by 70%.
• 58% of organizations say that their onboarding process focuses on paperwork and is purely administrative. 
• Research shows that 88% of companies do a poor job of onboarding employees.
• On average, a new hire has to complete at least 54 activities during the onboarding process.
• 87% of companies reveal that having a buddy program boosts the new hire’s proficiency. Here, they provide a buddy or mentor for post-on-boarding support which makes the hiring process effective.

Bottom Line

Nothing comes as perfect the moment you try it. To display your enthusiasm and passion, you need to prepare and practice multiple times. 

For preparation, you can follow this article and check out the intangible skills that will set you apart from other candidates.

When it comes to practicing, you can do it in front of a mirror or record yourself on a mobile and review it. Another method is to ask your family members or friends to get their feedback.

In case you are looking for remote jobs, then visit HomeJobsHub. You can apply for work from home jobs in a variety of fields. All you have to do is sign up and their AI system will notify you whenever a job is posted matching your skills and requirements.

You went through the interview process for a job you really want. Your answers were perfect and your test went well. But even 1 week after interview no response is sent. 

It could get really frustrating to wait for the interview result as you don’t know whether to proceed with other job applications or not. On top of that, it happens quite often.

The HRReporter says that as per the CareerBuilder survey 75% of candidates said that they never heard back from the employers. 

But why employers don’t always respond right after interviews? The reasons below might help you understand it.

Reasons Why There is No Response After Interview

The recruiter not responding after interview is difficult to deal with, but sometimes there are valid reasons for the delay. Let’s see what those reasons are.

They’re Too Busy

Perhaps your interviewer is not only handling the hiring process of the job you applied for but also screening candidates for other positions as well. So, the recruiter might be working on –

• Reviewing potential candidate applications, 
• Scheduling tests & interviews, and 
• Evaluating their performance. 

It also makes sense that going through all the candidate’s profiles and selecting the right ones for a particular position takes time. 

Oftentimes, being swamped with work is the main reason why employers don’t respond right away.

They’re Still Interviewing 

You applied for the position after discovering it online through a job portal or the company’s website. The thing is, maybe 100 other candidates did that too.

Hence, the company might still be in the process of picking candidates from the stacks of job applications and following up with the applicants to proceed with the interview process.

Another reason is, when they have more than one position left for a job role, it is possible that they are still in the process of interviewing other candidates. 

Also, at times when they see a potential for hiring a candidate with more experience or skills, they will be following up with them.

Overall, when the employers are still in the process of interviewing the candidates, they will not yet declare the results.

Things Changed 

In an ideal world, the hiring manager would inform you if the applied position is not available anymore. But that is not always the case. Sometimes in the company unexpected happens after the job is posted. 

• The position you got interviewed for might become obsolete or revamped,
• It might be passed on to an existing employee,
• There may be budget issues,
• The project timeline might have changed,
• They reassessed the need for a new hire in the department and decided against it.

Therefore, there is no need to hire someone anymore. In this case, the employee does not see any need to inform the candidate, or they might get busy with other tasks and forget to respond.

On the other hand, if the position is put on hold, they will hold the interview again. So, it is useful to stay active with the company. And, to stay on their mind, send a follow-up email. 

They’re Afraid Of Legal Issues 

As per the discrimination act, you cannot fire or hire someone based on their race, religion, gender, age, disabilities, or sexual orientation. Therefore, the recruiter might be afraid to disclose information about why they did not hire you. 

In this litigious age, you can use any excuse to file a lawsuit. The organizations know that all too well. So, even when discrimination is not involved and there are other valid reasons such as you don’t have the required skill set, the employer might adopt silence in the matter.

You Got Lost

Mistakes can happen during the hiring process. Your application/ profile might get deleted from the company’s database. The HR might forget about you as they interview a lot of people.

That is why it is crucial to send a follow-up email, especially for the jobs you are most interested in. It relays that you are serious about the job and allows you to correct any mistakes you made during the interview. 

Most importantly, it refreshes the interviewer’s mind and puts you in front. Plus, if your application is misplaced, it can be retrieved.

To learn how to follow up, check out the article on what you can do while waiting for the interview result.

There’s No Real Reason

Sometimes there is no particular reason for not sending any response. 

It was not like you did extraordinarily in the interview. You are nice enough but did not stand out. Your answers were fine but not good enough to seal the deal. 

In such situations, for an HR, it is difficult to articulate that you did nothing wrong, but you won’t get the job. It will confuse and upset the candidate. Therefore, they might choose not to give any reply.

You’re Not Selected 

This might be one of the obvious reasons why you did not hear from the interviewers. But still, many people would agree that it is polite to send an email or a phone call about the result than to ignore and not reply to anything.

It has been a few weeks post-interview and even after a follow-up, if no response is sent, then it is safe to assume that you are not selected for the job.

Also, read – 11 Remote Job Interview Questions to Prepare For

Giving Yourself a Review

Even when the employers did not tell you the reasons for not getting selected for the job, you can give yourself a review. It helps you to avoid making the same mistakes again in the next interview. 

If by any chance you think that your cover letter is the reason, then think again. Because LinkedIn reveals that 63% of recruiters consider cover letters as not important while 18% of them think that cover letters are an important part of a job application.

It clearly states that a cover letter is not a deciding factor in hiring a candidate. There are other reasons like the ones mentioned below. So consider them while evaluating your performance.

You Didn’t Follow The Instructions

Did HR give you a task and you missed the deadline or not do it correctly or followed the instructions improperly? When the employer asked you for any references, maybe you did not follow up appropriately.

That sure is enough reason to not get a callback from a recruiter. When you cannot follow the guidelines provided, HR will not take a chance on hiring you. 

Therefore, you should always make sure to read every email you receive and take notes to not miss any important information. In case you are unsure about anything, ask the recruiter to clarify.

You’re Out of Range 

Maybe when the salary question came up in mid-interview, the range you mentioned is out of reach of the employer. Obviously, the hiring manager would not select the candidate who expects more salary than they intended to give. 

To avoid this, you need to do your salary research before the interview starts. Thus, when the question comes, you can give a justifiable answer.

You’re Not a Good Fit

You may think that you are perfect for the job. And also, you love the company and its mission. But there is a chance that rapport with some employers is a bit off and/ or there is a potential for clashes because of personality differences that the interviewer could see ahead of time.

You can never know if that is the exact reason, but it is always better to not get hired now than to get employed and have conflicts.

Also, read – How to Write a Cold Email for a Job [Steps & Tips]

Interesting Facts

The Workforce Institute at Kronos Incorporated has conducted a survey on 3,000 employees from 8 different countries. The results revealed the following details.

• Nearly half, i.e. 45% of full-time employees said that if they worked without any interruptions, it would take less than 5 hours each day to complete their tasks.
• In case pay remains constant, 
  • 34% of employees would work for four days a week while 20% work for three days a week. With this, we can know that 54% of employees support shorter work weeks.
  • One in four employees, i.e. 28% are content with the normal standard of working five days a week.

Finally!

We hope the article helps you to understand why you are not getting any reply after the interview. 

Even 2 weeks after interview no response is sent, then don’t take it too personally. Instead of wondering why you can use the time to review yourself and rectify the mistakes that you think you did during the interview.

Prepare your resume well and get ready for the next interview.

If you are looking for remote jobs, then visit HomeJobsHub. You can find job postings in a variety of fields and in different countries. Such as HR, writing, assistant – in US and design, customer service, accounting – in India, and so on. On top of that, its AI system informs you whenever a job matching your skills and requirements is available. 

So, just sign up here and start applying for jobs.

Finally, all the best for your journey!

Working remotely gives you great flexibility and you do not have to deal with commuting from home to office and office to home.

However, staying at home all the time can badly affect your mental and physical health. Hence, it is always best to go out occasionally. Getting sunlight, doing physical activities, and having human interaction are essential for everyone.

So, take a look at the 10 best places to work remotely and use any one of them as an alternative for your home office.

Top 10 Remote Work Locations

1. Join a Local Coworking Space
2. Go to a Coffee Shop
3. Work at the Gym
4. Go to a Park
5. Get State Park Pass
6. Visit a Hotel
7. Find a University Center
8. Visit a Museum
9. Check Out a Library
10. Stop by a Bookstore

1) Join a Local Coworking Space

Many cities have local coworking spaces built for remote workers. Each has its own perks and plans for its members. 

Some offer complimentary beverages and offer activities like yoga classes. You can even find private spaces in case you don’t want to interact with others. Moreover, few of the remote working locations have open and creative spaces.

You may search for places to work remote near me. After finding a suitable space join a membership program or simply rent a working space for a day.

2) Go to a Coffee Shop

It is the best place for remote work. Coffee shops have been used as a workspace even before COVID hit. 

Here, you don’t have to worry about your lunch and snacks. You can easily buy food and coffee that refreshes you. 

Some of the shops even offer free refills of tea and coffee while others provide private rooms and meeting tables. 

As per Inc, coffee shops could be your next workspace. Also, working in a coffee shop helps you to be creative.

So, without further ado, visit a coffee shop near you and start working.

3) Work at the Gym

Many gyms have seating areas and cafes. So, you can use them as a workspace. 

In fact, you can meet your exercise goals and do your job without wasting any time on the commute.

After doing your workout, you can settle in to start your remote work. Or else, take care of tasks and then, hit the gym floor before going home.

Either way, using the gym as a workspace could help you to do some physical activities.

4) Go to a Park

Spending time with nature improves your well-being. Actually, it enhances your mental and physical health, and social cohesion.

Source – healthline.com

So, spread a blanket and have a picnic with yourself in a park. Complete your report, work on a file, and finish your tasks.  

In fact, reduce your stress and calm yourself while observing the natural elements such as the blue sky, big trees, small plants, beautiful flowers, flying birds, and so on.

Depending on the city you live in, you can often discover a city center or a downtown area with benches and tables. Use this space to do your remote work.

5) Get State Park Pass

Take it to the next level by going to a state park. 

They often have picnic tables and free wifi that you can use to get your work done. Also, they provide a call service near Ranger Station. So, you don’t have to worry about anything.

If you like it at the park and decide to go every day, then just get a state park pass.

6) Visit a Hotel

There is no rule that you need to book a hotel room only when you are vacationing. You can stay at a hotel anytime.

Most of the hotels have tables and chairs to facilitate working while traveling. 

If you don’t want to stay in your room, then settle in the corner of a hotel lobby and do your work. Thereby, if you feel hungry, you can eat your lunch without moving much.

In case you need to attend a meeting, then, inquire whether the hotel has a private space for remote workers. Actually, most hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton deliver such services.

After finishing your tasks or work, you can take a stroll in the neighborhood and go downtown. You will end up feeling like you are on a vacation without leaving your city.

7) Find a University Center

Universities have workstations placed in almost every nook and cranny. You can work in a lobby or find a nice spot in a corner so you won’t have any distractions. 

When you want to take a break, you can stroll through the grounds. You may even visit a University library, cafe, or food court. 

Generally, almost all of the universities have free wi-fi that you can use to get your work done.

8) Visit a Museum

If you have any museum you like, then become a member. And, pull up a seat in the cafe or around your favorite artwork. 

Since most of the museums are quiet and have free wifi, you can easily concentrate on your tasks.

While you are at it, remember that you will be supporting your local arts and culture.

Moreover, you can also consider visiting outdoor museums and botanical gardens.

9) Check Out a Library 

Just like museums, libraries also have quite an ambiance. Unlike museums, you do not have to buy an entry ticket or memberships (unless you want to check out a book). 

Most importantly, you can discover a library in every town. You can uncover private rooms available in most libraries. They also have free wifi and endless resources. 

Usually, libraries have a distraction-free environment. Therefore, you can settle into a comfortable space and start your work.

10) Stop by a Bookstore

The last on our list of best places to work remote is Bookstores. They are like a library but with more hustle and bustle. 

If you need to find a quote for writing content or need a piece of information to complete a report, you can discover it in the books or magazines available in the store. In addition, you may use the free wifi for research.

Interesting Facts About Remote Work

The State of Remote Work 2020 report by Owl Labs reveals the following facts.

• Employees are using video meetings 50% more compared to pre-COVID.
• During COVID-19, 70% of full-time US employees worked from home.
• 1 in 2 employees, i.e. 50% said that they won’t return to their jobs if remote work is not offered post-COVID. And, 77% agreed that continuing to work from home makes them happier.
• 92% expect to work at home 1 day (one time) a week while 80% expect it at least 3 times per week. Plus, 81% felt that their employer will support remote work after COVID-19.
• Remote workers say that on average they can save 40 minutes every day by not commuting. Conversely, it is revealed that a remote employee works extra 26 hours every month, i.e. almost an extra day each week.
• Moreover, 59% of people are more likely to choose an employer that offers remote work over one that doesn’t.
• Also, only 20-25% of organizations share or pay the cost of home office equipment, chair, table, or any other furniture.

Another Owl Labs survey reports that 16% of companies are completely remote.

As you can clearly see, most people want to work remotely. If you are also one of them, then remember to visit any one of the mentioned best places for remote work once in a while for better mental and physical health.

Final Words

You don’t need to look far for places to work remotely. Just search for a place to work remotely near me and go to any of the mentioned areas to find a comfortable workspace. 

If a little hustle and bustle is fine with you or just need a quiet environment, you can find it on our list of best places to work remotely. 

In case you want to apply for a remote job, then visit HomeJobsHub. You can discover a variety of jobs posted by different industries. All you have to do is just sign up and HomeJobsHub AI will notify you when jobs matching your skills and requirements are available.