Why Do You Want to Work From Home?

Right now, there’s a bit of a tug-of-war going on in the work world.

Since the pandemic, lots of people have gotten used to remote or hybrid work setups. Now, many companies are asking employees to come back to the office—but plenty of workers aren’t so sure they want to give up the perks of working from home.

If you’re on the hunt for a remote job, you’re not alone. For lots of people, being able to work from home is a deal-breaker when looking for a new job. But that means hiring managers might ask you a big question: Why do you want to work from home?

We’ll show you how to answer this question so you can snag a job that fits your needs for flexibility and the comfort of working remotely.

What employers want to know about your reasons for working remotely

Employers know remote work has ups and downs. While some studies show productivity improves from home, others suggest the opposite, making managers wonder if people can stay focused outside the office. When hiring managers ask why you want to work from home, they’re looking for reassurance that remote work won’t hurt your productivity.

They want to hear a genuine reason for choosing remote work—one that shows how it benefits both you and the company. They’re also checking for any red flags, like using remote work as a way to avoid oversight. Ultimately, they want to know you have the skills to succeed from home, like time management and self-sufficiency, to feel confident you’ll thrive outside the office.

How to answer, “Why do you want to work from home?”

Assess how you will benefit

Start by making a personal list of why working from home appeals to you. While it’s okay to include fun reasons like ‘wearing pajamas,’ go deeper to find meaningful benefits. Think about what makes you thrive. For instance, if your last manager was a micromanager, you might crave more independence to show what you can accomplish on your own. Or, if you’re someone who gets distracted by office chatter, perhaps working from a quiet space at home is where you feel most productive. Understanding your own reasons will help you confidently explain why remote work is a good fit for you.

Explain how it’s a win-win

Once you have your list, think about how your reasons also benefit the company. Let’s say you’re not a fan of commuting—mention how the time you’d save on a long drive could be dedicated to getting an early start or wrapping up projects faster. Or, if you’re someone who works better in the evenings, explain that remote work lets you tap into your best energy, leading to high-quality results for the team. Showing that your personal wins also benefit the employer makes it clear you’re thinking about what’s best for both of you.

Gain their confidence

Finally, it’s crucial to leave the interviewer confident that you’ll be effective from home. Share how you’re disciplined and don’t need someone watching over your shoulder to stay motivated. If you’ve successfully worked remotely before, highlight specific achievements or results to show how well you perform outside a traditional office. For example, you might say, “In my last role, I managed a project that increased team productivity by 20%, all while working remotely.” This helps reassure them that you have what it takes to excel from home.

How not to answer

Avoid giving too much personal information

While working from home can make life easier in personal ways—like helping with childcare or handling household tasks—be careful with how much personal detail you share. For instance, saying you want to work from home to watch over your kids can make an employer worry that you’ll be juggling family and work during business hours. Instead, keep your answer focused on benefits that tie directly to your job performance, like productivity, creativity, or time management. This shows you’re prioritizing your work and gives the employer confidence that remote work is the best choice for both of you.

Skip the superficial reasons

This isn’t the time to mention that working from home means easy access to snacks or getting to wear fuzzy slippers all day. While these perks are fun, they come across as trivial and may make you seem less serious about the role. Instead, focus on meaningful reasons that reflect your commitment to doing great work. Emphasizing factors like flexibility to produce your best work or the focus you gain from a quieter environment will make a stronger, more professional impression.

Sample answers to “Why do you want to work from home?”

Why this works:
This answer is honest and connects personal productivity with delivering value to the company. By explaining how a home environment supports focus and creativity, the candidate shows awareness of their work habits and how remote work could benefit the employer’s goals.

Why this works:
This response aligns the candidate’s personal values with the company’s. By connecting their environmental goals with the employer’s initiatives, the candidate shows they’ve done their research and are genuinely interested in the company’s mission, not just the flexibility of remote work.

Why this works:
This answer demonstrates that the candidate has experience working independently and can succeed without constant oversight. By emphasizing their self-motivation and time-management skills, they reassure the employer they’ll stay productive and contribute to the team from a remote setting.

While answering this question and others during your interview, don’t forget to emphasize the other reasons you want the position–not just because you want to work from home. Ultimately, your physical location is secondary to whether you’re, in fact, the best person for the job.