Note that on the real test you won’t be able to read the questions. You will only hear them.
Basically, the interviewer will ask you four questions about the same topic. You’ll have 45 seconds to answer each one. You must answer as soon as the question is finished. You won’t be given any time to prepare your answers.
Introduction:
You have agreed to take part in a research study about remote work. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Question One:
Thank you for speaking with me today. Now, I’d like you to think back to the last time you worked from a location other than your regular workplace—such as your home, a café, or a shared workspace. Why did you choose to work there? What did you enjoy about that experience?
Sample Answer, Question One:
The last time I worked from a place other than my home was a couple weeks ago when I spent a day working from my local public library. I wanted to work in a place where I could feel refreshed, and I also wanted to be in a new environment where I could be stimulated to come up with some new ideas that I wouldn’t really have thought of otherwise. I really enjoyed it, actually. The environment was extremely quiet and there were a lot of books around. While I didn’t actually get up and use any of the books, they sort of inspired me to think about my work in a very intellectual way. Not only that, but I was also free from any distractions… you know like the television or my neighbors coming by to chat with me. So in the end I got a ton of work done.
Question Two:
Great. Working remotely affects people in different ways. Some find it liberating and productive, while others feel isolated or easily distracted. What kind of reaction do you have to remote work? Why do you think you react in this way?
Sample Answer, Question Two:
Oh I actually find it extremely stimulating. You know, when I’m in my office I’m easily distracted because I have my co-workers around and of course I love them and I always want to chat with them about their lives and what’s going on in my life as well. This prevents me from getting much work done. On the other hand, when I’m working from home they’re not around. Moreover, my family is out of the house and my friends are off somewhere else so I’m less likely to be distracted by social stuff. Basically, I’m an extremely outgoing person. Because of this I benefit greatly from working in a remote location where I’m all alone or where I’m surrounded by strangers with whom I don’t really want to talk.
Question Three:
OK. Next, I’d like to ask your opinion. Some people believe that those who work remotely have a better work-life balance. They might argue, for example, that remote workers save commuting time and have more flexibility in their schedules. Do you agree that remote workers enjoy a better work-life balance? Why or why not?
Sample Answer, Question Three:
Yeah I definitely agree that people who work from home have a better work-life balance. These days commuting times are extraordinarily long in my country and I think this trend is happening all over the world. You know it takes the average worker like 45 minutes to get to their office and it just seems like every year that commute is getting longer and longer. Accordingly people are dedicating not only like 8 hours to their jobs every day… but a couple of extra hours just to get there. Not only that, but they have to dedicate time to getting dressed and preparing for work so they barely have any time left to spend with their families. People who work at home, on the other hand, have many more hours to spend with their families or on personal interests like hobbies or clubs.
Question Four:
Good points. Let me ask you one final question. For some time now, researchers have been interested in whether regular virtual team-building activities help remote workers feel more connected. Do you think that companies should invest more in virtual social events to improve team cohesion and employee satisfaction? Why or why not?
Sample Answer, Question Four:
Yes I think that’s fair. You know, people do like to work from home but they also like to get to know their co-workers on a personal level. If everyone’s working remotely all the time they’re probably not going to really know much about their colleagues and that could cause them to feel a little bit alienated from their work. So, yeah, an online event where people just kind of hang out casually could certainly increase employee morale and make the employees feel more invested in their jobs. In the long run, when employees have good morale and investment it means that the company itself will have greater productivity and higher profits. Accordingly the money they spend on this sort of thing will pay off many times over.