Landing the right Workamping position starts with a good interview. While the process may feel similar to any other job, there are unique factors to consider when living and working in an RV. Workampers not only need to know about duties and pay, but also details like RV site hookups, hours, scheduling, and perks. A clear interview helps both you and the employer set expectations so the experience is a win-win.
Businesses rely on Workampers, especially mom-and-pop operations, to help run the company. A bad hiring decision can have a negative impact on any business. Remember, Workampers are typically on the front lines serving the employer’s customers, so they depend on hiring quality Workampers.
The job has to be a win-win for you, too. As a Workamper, you may be traveling hundreds of miles at a significant cost just to get to the job. You’re giving up your time to get to the location, and making a commitment to spend even more of your time over the course of the next few months.
Since your time is valuable, too, you need to make sure you’re not wasting time and money on a job that isn’t a good fit.
Whether it takes place over the phone, through a video call, or in person, the interview is your opportunity to confirm expectations, highlight your strengths, and decide if the position is truly the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
Workamper News has been in the business of connecting great Workampers with wonderful jobs for almost four decades. Over the years, we have discovered one essential truth. If people have a negative Workamping experience, it can often be traced back to not having an interview or not asking the right questions before accepting the job.
Preparing for a Workamper Job Interview
To ensure the interview goes well, and certainly before accepting a job offer, make sure you do your research about the employer. Spend time learning all you can about the employer and the type of work they are offering before the interview so you can use that time to zero in on specific questions.
If the ad was posted on Workamper.com, read through it carefully and jot down the specific duties, hours, and benefits listed.
Peruse the firm’s website to gain a basic understanding of the business and what it does. Look for and About page and review any information about the company’s history. Look for information about the facility and services it may provide.
Do a quick Google search of the company’s name and look for recent news. Also check social media sites, like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. It’s a good idea to read some reviews left by customers as they can help you understand what real customers expect from the company, too.
Check out even small details, such as the route to get there. One Workamper discovered upon arrival that a ferry was required to reach the employer’s site and his RV was too large to fit on the ferry.
Don’t forget to check for an Employer Profile on Workamper.com to read reviews on employers submitted by former Workampers to see what others have said about working there.
Taking time to research the company shows you are interested in the firm and its products or services, and recent social media posts and news stories can be great conversation starters during an interview.
As you research the company, prepare a list of questions to ask, especially as they pertain to make-or-break items, like shifts, days off, compensation, and whether an RV site is included, or if pets are allowed. You are looking to prove it’s the right job for you, as well as reasons to remove the job from further consideration.
The more you know about an employer, the better you look, especially when asking detailed questions about the company. Good questions put you a wrung or two above other candidates. Employers will be hiring you to help them run their business, so you want to give them as many reasons as possible to prove you’re the right person for the job.
Common Questions Employers Ask Workampers
Employers are looking for qualified candidates and, on paper, anyone can appear to be qualified. But, they are also looking beyond job skills to identify someone with the right attitude who would be a good fit for their business. That’s why the interview plays such a pivotal role in landing a great job.
Interviews serve two major roles. First, you need to sell yourself as the best candidate for the position. Then, you need to get information about the Workamping opportunity so you can decide whether the job is right for you or not.
Expect to hear questions such as:
- What skills or past experience do you bring to the role?
- How long do you plan to stay?
- Do you have flexibility in your schedule?
- Have you Workamped before?
- What are your expectations for the RV site and other perks?
These questions are designed to get a sense of your reliability and to ensure you have realistic expectations. Answer honestly and clearly. It is far better to identify a mismatch during the interview than to discover it once you have already arrived on site.
Questions Workampers Should Ask Employers
The interview isn’t just for the employer to learn about you – it’s also your chance to make sure the position will work for you. Think about the information you need in order to feel confident about committing to a job. Prepare a list of questions you’d like to ask so you don’t forget them during the conversation.
Important Topics to Cover During Your Interview
- Ask about job duties and responsibilities in detail so you understand what a typical day looks like.
- Clarify how many hours are expected per week, whether scheduling is flexible, and if there are busier or slower times of year. Address whether you have the same days off every week, or if you are expected to work split shifts in the morning as well as the evening.
- Compensation and benefits are another key area. Find out whether the position offers wages in addition to the RV site. Don’t overlook other perks, too, like use of laundry facilities, discounts, bonuses, free electricity and good Wi-Fi connections. All those things add up when determining if the job is a good deal financially.
- When it comes to the RV site itself, don’t assume – ask about hookups, the amperage provided, the length of site available, and whether utilities are included.
- You’ll also want to understand the work environment. Who will you report to? Will you be working alone, with a partner, or as part of a larger team?
- Some employers also have policies about dress codes, guests, pets, or use of amenities, so it’s better to ask upfront rather than be surprised later.
- Be sure to address whether it is a volunteer position, or if you will be a W-2 employee or 1099 contractor. The answer can have tax consequences.
Asking thoughtful questions not only helps you gather the details you need but also shows the employer that you are taking the opportunity seriously.
Other Topics to Discuss During a Workamping Job Interview
For new Workampers, starting out as the only Workamper on staff can feel overwhelming. In a small mom-and-pop business, you may be asked to handle a variety of duties, while a larger operation with dozens of employees usually allows you to focus on a set of consistent tasks.
Try to gauge the business climate. If you don’t like children, avoid family campgrounds. On the other hand, if you don’t want to be around a lot of more-senior people, then an over-55 community may not be the best fit.
Everyone has a different definition of what “remote” means. Ask about television signals and whether your cell phone provider provides good reception in the area.
If you weren’t able to find out in your prior research, ask about the location of what you consider essential services, such as medical centers, restaurants, RV service centers and grocery stores.
Employers may have a different definition for a job duty, too. Does “maintenance” mean picking up trash and fixing picnic tables, or does it mean painting, using bulldozers to clear land, and fixing utility poles?
There are no silly questions! Is the job site on the flight path to an airport, next to a major highway, gun range or near train tracks? If you need 50-amp service, but only 30-amp is available, that could be a problem. Is there a sewer connection on site, or would you need to drive to a dump station, or will a honeywagon empty your tanks?
Your goal is to avoid surprises. Remember, your happiness is at stake, so be sure to ask the questions that will help you determine if the job is the right fit for you and your lifestyle.
Tips for a Successful Interview
Because employers can be hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away from potential Workampers, most interviews today take place online in some type of video call, such as Zoom or Facetime. This allows employers to see your face, view your expressions, and evaluate the tone of your voice as well as your level of enthusiasm.
If the interview will be conducted by video, test your internet connection, camera, and microphone ahead of time so technical issues don’t get in the way. Taking these steps will help you feel confident and show the employer that you are serious about the opportunity.
Approach the interview with professionalism, just as you would for any other job. Even if you are speaking over the phone, your tone of voice communicates a lot. If it’s a video call, dress neatly and choose a quiet, well-lit space. Show enthusiasm for the opportunity and let your personality come through – employers value Workampers who are positive, dependable, and eager to contribute.
When discussing your background, highlight both your professional skills and your RV experience. Employers often appreciate hearing how long you’ve been traveling, what types of rigs you’ve owned, or past Workamping roles you’ve held. These details demonstrate that you understand the lifestyle and what it means to live and work on the road.
Anticipate some questions you’ll be asked, then rehearse your presentation and potential answers. It’s very important to be real – don’t pretend to be someone you’re not just to get a job.
Some interviews may take place in-person, such as when a Workamper is traveling through an area, or the employer is recruiting at special events, like big RV shows.
When interviews take place online or over the phone, it is essential that you understand not just the time it is scheduled, but the time zone, too. Be on time and, if possible, be available a few minutes early.
It’s also a good idea to check with the employer a day or two before the interview to confirm the date and time. Employers often wear many hats, so they may not have time to remind you of the appointment.
It can also help to take notes during the interview. Jotting down important points about pay, duties, or schedules will give you something to review later and can prevent misunderstandings.
Smart Interviewing Practices
Here are some things you can do during the interview to ensure you make the best impression:
- Find a quiet area to sit that is free of loud music, crowds, television noise and barking dogs.
- Turn off the RV’s air conditioner or loud fans to reduce noise.
- Make sure your internet connection is working and strong enough to enable the call.
- Dress appropriately by avoiding T-shirts with brand logos, political statements or potentially controversial causes.
- Make sure the background is clear of clutter.
- Avoid sitting next to a window to ensure consistent lighting. You also don’t want an employer to be distracted by what’s taking place outside.
- Ensure where you are sitting is well lit from the front. You don’t want to appear as a silhouette like you belong in a witness-protection program.
- Try to schedule interviews during times you know you’re at your best. If you’re a morning person, seek an interview early in the day.
- Put a note on your outside door so someone doesn’t interrupt by knocking.
Make sure you have a copy of the help wanted ad and your resume available for you to reference. The employer may have questions about something you submitted, or you can draw his or her attention to something you sent. It’s also a good idea to have copies of emails or letters you sent or received.
Never do the interview when you’re driving down the highway. Be sure to give the employer your undivided attention. You do not want to pause the interview so you can navigate an intersection or a construction zone.
Above all, have a way to take notes. Consider recording the conversation so you can refer back to it later. Often, Workampers are nervous or excited during an interview and may forget what was discussed. Just be sure to ask the employer before you start recording, and don’t share the recording with others, especially on social media.
Be Honest During the Interview
Be sure to talk about things you are unable or unwilling to do. Be upfront and honest, but don’t approach the employer with a list of conditions. Rather, work them into the discussion.
For example, if it sounds like lifting is involved, you might say your doctor doesn’t recommend lifting more than 20 pounds by yourself.
If the employer describes indoor and outdoor duties, it would be appropriate to say you prefer working outside.
Or, note you would rather work behind-the-scenes instead of in job which requires dealing with people.
If you do not want to clean toilets, be sure to say so.
If you’re uncomfortable working around teenagers and international students, be honest.
If you want to talk to the manager you’d be closely working with, then ask if that’s a possibility.
If the duties seem daunting, then ask if there are knowledgeable people who could show you how to do the tasks mentioned. Doing so tells the employer you are interested the job and happy to help, but you will need some assistance, especially at first.
Don’t oversell yourself or your capabilities. If the employer is looking for someone with technical skills, but you can barely turn on a computer, don’t express confidence in your ability to fix printer problems.
If you want the job, but need specific days off to run your side business, or simply need to know your schedule in advance so you can juggle other commitments, then let the employer know up front. That way, accommodations can be made in advance, so there are no surprises when you arrive.
Avoid conveying an attitude the company needs to hire you to fix their business. Workampers may see how other successful businesses are run, but without having worked for this company, you don’t have context to tell an employer what they need to fix their operation.
It’s easy to make assumptions but it’s just as easy to get clarification. If an employer is not open to providing details, it may be a red flag. Trust your instincts.
Next Steps After the Interview
At the end of the interview, if it appears everything would work out, you may be offered a job. But, you are under no obligation to accept it at that moment. In fact, if it’s the first offer you receive, it may be a mistake to do so unless the job checked all your “must have” options.
Remember, taking a job because you think you won’t get other offers can be a mistake. If you put your resume on workamper.com, chances are strong you will get multiple inquiries.
The whole premise of Workamping is being able to travel where you want, when you want, and to stay as long as you want. If you wanted to be in the northwest, but got a job offer in the northeast, be sure to take time to think about it before accepting, especially if you need to discuss it with a partner or family members.
Ask the employer what the next steps would be, and how long you have to consider the offer. Find out how you can submit other follow-up questions later, if necessary.
Consider sending a short thank-you message by email – a quick note of appreciation shows professionalism and helps you stand out. If you don’t hear back right away, remember that many Workamping employers are seasonal operators juggling multiple responsibilities. Be patient, but don’t hesitate to politely follow up if some time has passed.
Once you accept a job, you must make a committed effort to meet those obligations. Don’t be a cherry-picker by accepting multiple jobs and then only going to one while leaving other employers high and dry.
After accepting a job, it is a courtesy to let other employers you’ve interviewed with know of your decision and to thank them for their time. Perhaps, the other employers will consider you for a future season.
A successful interview ensures that both you and the employer understand expectations before you commit. Preparing ahead of time, asking the right questions, and communicating clearly will help set the stage for a positive Workamping experience.
Whether you are seeking your very first Workamping position or adding another adventure to your list, mastering the interview process will give you confidence and improve your chances of finding the right fit.
Ready to put these tips to use? Browse the latest Workamper Job Listings and practice your interview skills today.
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