
This may include asking questions about how they reach their goals during their busy season to find out if the team works overtime. Try to keep the topic broad, especially during an initial interview. You can try connecting some of your work-life balance questions with ones about the company or position to show you are interested in the opportunity. In the interview, ask some indirect questions to help you gather information about what the work-life balance is like with their company. It may also be beneficial to find out what their mission statement is too, so you can see if they value their employees or focus solely on reaching business goals. During your research, look for any warning signs, such as employees working overtime frequently or pressures to avoid using vacation hours. This may include reading online company reviews from former employees or talking to someone you know who works there. To help you understand the company's culture, try learning more about their organization. Related: 27 Good Work-Life Balance Jobs 3. Certain jobs, such as computer programmers or substitute teachers, tend to be more flexible than others. Pay attention to words, such as "willingness to work weekends and evenings" or "fast-paced environment." These can be signs that the role may be time-consuming and create challenges in finding time for activities outside of work. Review the job descriptionĪs you apply for positions, read the job description to assess whether it's suited for a work-life balance. For instance, if you are looking for a job that lets you work from home occasionally and you find out a company requires employees to be in the office every day, you may decide to eliminate that from your job options. This can give you guidance on what you consider a deal breaker and nonnegotiable. Make a list of your priorities to help you find a job that fits your needs. For some, this may include being able to get home early and cook a dinner for your family, while others may want the flexibility to work out during their lunch break. Define work-life balanceīefore asking about work-life balance in an interview, define what this means for you. The following are some steps to take to help you ask about work-life balance in an interview: 1.
WORK LIFE BALANCE QUESTIONS HOW TO
Related: Ultimate Guide To Work-Life Balance How to ask about work-life balance in an interview Instead, consider asking questions related to the company and its culture to learn about their work environment.
WORK LIFE BALANCE QUESTIONS PROFESSIONAL
This is because the first interview is when you focus on highlighting your professional skills and how you can add value to the organization. However, it's not advisable to ask about it directly during an initial interview. Can you ask about work-life balance in an interview?Īsking about work-life balance is usually acceptable during the salary negotiation portion of the interview process or when discussing logistics with the human resources department. This can also help you understand your future employer's expectations and their company's policies. Individuals who have responsibilities, such as caring for family members, may need to know whether a company is willing to be flexible with them when emergencies arise.

It's beneficial to find out how flexible a position is before starting so you can find a job that aligns with your goals. Knowing whether an organization creates a healthy work-life balance is important for helping you find a career that meets your needs.

Why is knowing the level of work-life balance important? In this article, we discuss whether you can ask about work-life balance in an interview, provide tips for how to discuss this topic with employers and list some related questions to ask. If you want to create a healthy balance between your work life and social life, consider learning about some ways to bring this topic up indirectly with a potential employer. Taking the time to find out whether a company creates an environment that allows you to pursue activities outside of work can help you find a position that fits your needs. Work-life balance is an important factor to consider when applying for a new position. Jenn explains the importance of asking questions during an interview in order to learn about the job and showcase the value you could add to the role. Related: Why You Should Ask Questions in an Interview
