How to present a work sample in a remote interview

A work sample gives an interviewer something concrete to discuss. Choose material that helps them assess the role's requirements and that you are permitted to share.

Ask what the employer wants to see before preparing a long presentation. A brief walkthrough of one relevant decision may be more useful than a complete portfolio tour.

Select an example with a clear connection

Read the interview instructions and identify the capability being assessed. Choose work where you can explain the problem, your contribution, and the reasoning behind the result.

If the sample came from a team project, say which parts you owned. Give colleagues credit and do not present the entire output as your individual work.

Academic and personal projects can be useful when labeled accurately, particularly for an early-career role.

Protect information before preparing the file

Check whether you have permission to show the work. Remove confidential customer details, personal information, internal credentials, and other material you are not authorized to disclose.

Anonymizing a name may not be enough if the surrounding detail identifies a person or customer. Use an approved public sample or a clearly labeled recreation with fictional data when necessary.

Do not imply that a recreated example is the original operational result. Explain what was changed and why at the level the interviewer needs.

Prepare a readable walkthrough

Open the file in the form you will present and check text size, navigation, and links. If screen sharing is expected, practice sharing only the intended window where the platform supports it.

Keep a permitted fallback, such as an accessible link or a PDF, in case the live demonstration fails. Make sure the recipient can view it without access to your private accounts.

Practice an explanation of the problem, one or two decisions, and what you learned. Leave time for questions instead of narrating every screen.

Clarify exercise boundaries

If the employer assigns new work, ask about expected effort, the submission format, and the tools or assistance allowed. Follow those rules and label any permitted help accurately.

If the task seems unclear or disproportionate, ask for clarification through the recruiter. Do not guess about whether the work will be used commercially or what permission you are granting.

During the interview, respond to the question the reviewer asks. The sample supports a conversation about your judgment and contribution; it should not prevent you from explaining the work without a rehearsed slideshow.

Further reading

• Ace the data science technical interview – Career Advising & Professional Development | MIT
• Offer mock interviews – Career Advising & Professional Development | MIT

Related guides

• Test screen sharing
• Explain your contribution with evidence
• How to prepare for a remote job interview