W have many positions where employees work remotely for a majority of the time. This is one of those roles. How would you be successful in your home office if hired for this position?

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Over 25% of the employees at UnitedHealth Group work remotely, and this is a staggering total number of people. The company has put a huge amount of effort in recent years into supporting its virtual team to ensure that they're able to live up to the organization's five core principles remotely. If you are being considered for a telework role with UHG, it will be most important for your interviewer to understand that you will be able to be a great performer despite not being onsite with other colleagues. The UHG career site has a great blog post discussing the skills and discipline it takes to succeed in a remote position with them, so that would be great to check out before your interview. In the end, you want to reiterate that you have the motivation to succeed, the focus to stay on track and the ability to be a great communicator even though you may be thousands of miles away from your colleagues and people you work closely with.

"As you can see from my resume, I have been teleworking for the last three years and have grown to really love this environment. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't fully take to it right away, but quickly found that my ability to utilize technology like Zoom and communicate effectively over the phone and email led to my quick success on my current team. Of course my family has also loved the fact that I have been working from home. I have a dedicated office in our home that is private and we have high speed internet, so connectivity will never be an issue for me as part of the UnitedHealth Group team. My focus in my work has also developed greatly in recent years teleworking, and I know that UHG prioritizes performance. I'm happy to bring that as your next teleworker in this role."

Anonymous Answer

"I currently work remote three days a week for my current job. I have a quiet place to work."

Lauren's Feedback

This is a great start. A hiring manager would be pleased to know you are already working in a remote position, so the transition would not be as difficult as it would be for other candidates. You can use this opportunity to show more of your personality and strengths. See my suggestion below.

"I am currently working three days a week for my current employer, and this has been an excellent fit for me. My home office is readily used, and I believe my best work is provided in this capacity. I am highly reliable and excited to take on a new opportunity."

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Anonymous Answer

"In my summer internship experience, I worked completely remote from my organization. The key to success was to have a fixed schedule for work hours and not bring in personal work during that time. I also dressed for success and simulated the work environment. I would make it a point to have conversations with my teammates so that we stay connected."

Rachelle's Feedback

These are all great methods for staying on track in a remote work environment. Simulating an in-office work environment is a fantastic idea! Can you provide more detail on what that effort looks like to you?

Anonymous Answer

"I have worked in a remote environment for several years and was very successful in that role. I have a quiet, private place for my home office, I have a certain routine, and keep in communication with my coworkers and management to ensure I am successful. I am excited to have the opportunity to work in this environment once again."

Cindy's Feedback

Very good. You have proactively addressed the interviewer's concerns.

Anonymous Answer

"I have an established routine for success. Getting ready to start a day of working from home is no different than getting ready to go to an office minus the commute. I take my breaks just like I would take them while working at the office. I ensure all my office equipment is functional and running smoothly, the phone is fully charged from the night before, and so on. This routine has proven to be successful."

Marcie's Feedback

Great answer! Mentioning that you have a routine that you stick to is important because it implies to the interviewer that you are reliable and someone they can depend on. You might also mention that you are self-motivated and a person who is able to work independently. Talking about giving yourself breaks and maintaining functional office equipment (as well as a well-lit, pleasing office environment) also shows the interviewer that you are well prepared to work remotely. Nice job!

Anonymous Answer

"The majority of my college courses have been online. I've made a little office space in one of my walk-in closets. This way, I'm in a quiet place free from distractions where I can fully focus on my material. I also dress for success because when you look good, you feel good."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a great place to start. A dedicated workspace is important to successfully work remotely. However, you can improve your answer by sharing the skills and strategies you use to work efficiently and effectively in a remote environment. This could include adhering to set office hours, organizing/prioritizing tasks to ensure optimal workflow, or using specific time management tools.

Anonymous Answer

"I have been a remote worker for many years. I have set up my home office to mirror what my office would be like at the company."

Marcie's Feedback

Nice! Can you talk more about your remote work experiences? How do you keep yourself motivated and disciplined despite not being in an office around other colleagues? What have you done to your home office to make it a good place to be productive and efficient? Assure the interviewer that you can handle this type of work because you've successfully done it before and because your environment is set up for it. Good job!

Anonymous Answer

"I have an established routine for success. Getting ready to start a day of working from home is no different than getting ready to go to an office minus the commute. During my previous jobs, I took the opportunity to work remotely as well. I am always online available and respond to request and questions real-time as if I am in the office. I am self-motivated and a person who is able to work independently. I do give myself breaks and maintain functional office equipment, I am very well prepared to work remotely."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! Having a routine, being available and responsive, maintaining functional equipment, and giving yourself breaks are all great ways to remain successful while working remotely. Plus, it's good that you mention being self-motivated as that is one of the keys to being able to work remotely. Can you talk a bit more about what you do during the workday to keep yourself motivated and organized? Do you keep a to-do list or use a calendar to record meetings and projects? Do you set reminders and alarms so you stay on track? Do you make an effort to talk to colleagues even though you're not in the same location as them?

Anonymous Answer

"I have a dedicated workspace in my home that would be my office. I have a good internet connection and office equipment, and I live in an area where there are few distractions, such as noise, etc. I am proficient at using zoom for video conferencing and am someone who likes to reach out via phone or zoom so that I am connecting with others on my team, not only to discuss the issue at hand but to help build personal connections, which doesn't really happen when only using email."

Marcie's Feedback

Fantastic! It sounds like you have an excellent setup for remote work. The interviewer will be happy to hear that you have a dedicated workspace that is quiet and has reliable internet. Mentioning your proficiency in using Zoom is also a smart move. You might also remind the interviewer that you're self-motivated, adaptable, and a strong communicator. Nice job!