How do you ask about work life balance during interview?

[Anonymous]

How many women do they have in leadership positions? That's been a telling indicator in my experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Id ask and do ask. O go steaight to the point. For two reasons:

1. I dont want to work for a company that would not hire me because i want balance in my life.
2. I do not want to work for a company that doesn't value their emoloyees mental and physical health.

Don't hire me. Do me a favor if you don't think your employees deserve a life outsife of work.

Bye Felicia.

I wouldn't want to hire someone who is presumably an adult and says "Bye Felicia" anyway so no big loss.

Ok? Considering I have nearly 800 people under me in the org chart, remind why I should care...?

[Anonymous]

"How would you describe the culture of the organization?"

[Anonymous]

See if you can talk to some people you would be working with- this is common. Ask those people how they structure their work week and what the corporate culture is like. Ask questions like: do you have to stay late often? Do you bring work home? Say things like: I'm always happy to go the extra mile to get the job done but need some flexibility because I have young children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a naysayer here. I am a hiring manager at a nonprofit and I actually want candidates to be honest with me about what they're looking for and what their must-haves are. I want them to be a fit so 1) I don't waste my time interviewing someone who is never going to accept and 2) you don't end up leaving soon after being hired for something that could have been disclosed in the interview process. For example, I just hired for a midlevel person and interviewed several folks (all would have to relocate) and was glad when folks were honest and asked me if they could, for instance, telework from their current location or work from one of our remote offices since that was a no-go for the position. Yea, it means they didn't get an offer. But, it meant that they knew that the job wasn't a fit well before then (because needing to be at our home office was a must).

OP here. That's my thought as well. I don't have a problem with revealing that I have a 1 year old as I don't want to work for a supervisor or organization who is not supportive of work life balance. Which is why I am not sure why I should ask after getting a job offer than before. I am not sure what's the difference. If you don't have flexibility or don't allow telecommuting, the answer I will get during the interview or after receiving the offer would be the same.

I've been in the position of hiring people for positions that have good work/life balance in the past. It's something I'd bring up in an interview, because I think it's one of the plusses of the position.

But even so, I'd still be annoyed if you brought up your 1 year old in an interview. Why? First of all, because it puts me in a difficult position. It's not legal for me to take that information into account when I'm making a hiring decision, and so knowing it only makes my job more difficult. Secondly, because it tells me that you don't know the basic professional etiquette for interviewing, which makes me wonder what other boundaries you'll cross. Thirdly, it makes me wonder whether you'll be able to separate work/home. To be clear, I'm a strong advocate of things like breaks during the day for a mom to pump or go to daycare to nurse, adequate leave to allow someone to care for a sick child or attend a field trip, not having work go home. But I also expect that when you're at work, other than very specific situations (a phone call to school or a doctor), you'll have your head in the game. The fact that you can't stay on topic, for an hour long interview, makes me worry that you'll struggle to keep your attention on work.

[Anonymous]

Will you have a chance to speak with other employees? I interviewed with several people for my current position, and I asked the people who would be my co-workers what the culture and work environment was like. They were the ones who used the phrase "work life balance." I did NOT ask my supervisor-to-be about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a naysayer here. I am a hiring manager at a nonprofit and I actually want candidates to be honest with me about what they're looking for and what their must-haves are. I want them to be a fit so 1) I don't waste my time interviewing someone who is never going to accept and 2) you don't end up leaving soon after being hired for something that could have been disclosed in the interview process. For example, I just hired for a midlevel person and interviewed several folks (all would have to relocate) and was glad when folks were honest and asked me if they could, for instance, telework from their current location or work from one of our remote offices since that was a no-go for the position. Yea, it means they didn't get an offer. But, it meant that they knew that the job wasn't a fit well before then (because needing to be at our home office was a must).

OP here. That's my thought as well. I don't have a problem with revealing that I have a 1 year old as I don't want to work for a supervisor or organization who is not supportive of work life balance. Which is why I am not sure why I should ask after getting a job offer than before. I am not sure what's the difference. If you don't have flexibility or don't allow telecommuting, the answer I will get during the interview or after receiving the offer would be the same.

I've been in the position of hiring people for positions that have good work/life balance in the past. It's something I'd bring up in an interview, because I think it's one of the plusses of the position.

But even so, I'd still be annoyed if you brought up your 1 year old in an interview. Why? First of all, because it puts me in a difficult position. It's not legal for me to take that information into account when I'm making a hiring decision, and so knowing it only makes my job more difficult. Secondly, because it tells me that you don't know the basic professional etiquette for interviewing, which makes me wonder what other boundaries you'll cross. Thirdly, it makes me wonder whether you'll be able to separate work/home. To be clear, I'm a strong advocate of things like breaks during the day for a mom to pump or go to daycare to nurse, adequate leave to allow someone to care for a sick child or attend a field trip, not having work go home. But I also expect that when you're at work, other than very specific situations (a phone call to school or a doctor), you'll have your head in the game. The fact that you can't stay on topic, for an hour long interview, makes me worry that you'll struggle to keep your attention on work.

This is a question I have. When negotiations for salary, I sometimes try to be direct and say that I would like this job but need enough money to make it work for me and my family. I guess I just don't want to come across as a greedy bastard (the work is interesting but I can't take the job unless plays enough). But I don't like bringing up my kids -- so still in the wrong I assume. I'm a DH if that makes difference.

[Anonymous]

"How are the commutes to this office locations n" usually results in typical start times and stop times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a naysayer here. I am a hiring manager at a nonprofit and I actually want candidates to be honest with me about what they're looking for and what their must-haves are. I want them to be a fit so 1) I don't waste my time interviewing someone who is never going to accept and 2) you don't end up leaving soon after being hired for something that could have been disclosed in the interview process. For example, I just hired for a midlevel person and interviewed several folks (all would have to relocate) and was glad when folks were honest and asked me if they could, for instance, telework from their current location or work from one of our remote offices since that was a no-go for the position. Yea, it means they didn't get an offer. But, it meant that they knew that the job wasn't a fit well before then (because needing to be at our home office was a must).

OP here. That's my thought as well. I don't have a problem with revealing that I have a 1 year old as I don't want to work for a supervisor or organization who is not supportive of work life balance. Which is why I am not sure why I should ask after getting a job offer than before. I am not sure what's the difference. If you don't have flexibility or don't allow telecommuting, the answer I will get during the interview or after receiving the offer would be the same.

I've been in the position of hiring people for positions that have good work/life balance in the past. It's something I'd bring up in an interview, because I think it's one of the plusses of the position.

But even so, I'd still be annoyed if you brought up your 1 year old in an interview. Why? First of all, because it puts me in a difficult position. It's not legal for me to take that information into account when I'm making a hiring decision, and so knowing it only makes my job more difficult. Secondly, because it tells me that you don't know the basic professional etiquette for interviewing, which makes me wonder what other boundaries you'll cross. Thirdly, it makes me wonder whether you'll be able to separate work/home. To be clear, I'm a strong advocate of things like breaks during the day for a mom to pump or go to daycare to nurse, adequate leave to allow someone to care for a sick child or attend a field trip, not having work go home. But I also expect that when you're at work, other than very specific situations (a phone call to school or a doctor), you'll have your head in the game. The fact that you can't stay on topic, for an hour long interview, makes me worry that you'll struggle to keep your attention on work.

This is a question I have. When negotiations for salary, I sometimes try to be direct and say that I would like this job but need enough money to make it work for me and my family. I guess I just don't want to come across as a greedy bastard (the work is interesting but I can't take the job unless plays enough). But I don't like bringing up my kids -- so still in the wrong I assume. I'm a DH if that makes difference.

Unprofessional and inappropriate. Whether or not the job pays enough to support your family at the level you desire is not relevant. The job will pay what the market will bear, and what you are worth. Would you do with that money is up to you. But your family is your relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"How would you describe the culture of the organization?"

Bump to this. It's how I sussed out my new-ish job, and I would prefer a candidate ask this way. It's a chance for an interviewer to bring up flex policies, wfh, etc. OR a more intense environment where co-workers are expected to spend 24-7 on call. I wouldn't push without an offer in hand though.

[Anonymous]

Culture questiOn just gets you Bs buzzwords like: collegial, teamwork, work hard play hard, smart ppl.

Ask about boss' Mgmt style to each person separately, ask what would make a person successful in the role the first few mins, ask about commute routes, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be a naysayer here. I am a hiring manager at a nonprofit and I actually want candidates to be honest with me about what they're looking for and what their must-haves are. I want them to be a fit so 1) I don't waste my time interviewing someone who is never going to accept and 2) you don't end up leaving soon after being hired for something that could have been disclosed in the interview process. For example, I just hired for a midlevel person and interviewed several folks (all would have to relocate) and was glad when folks were honest and asked me if they could, for instance, telework from their current location or work from one of our remote offices since that was a no-go for the position. Yea, it means they didn't get an offer. But, it meant that they knew that the job wasn't a fit well before then (because needing to be at our home office was a must).

OP here. That's my thought as well. I don't have a problem with revealing that I have a 1 year old as I don't want to work for a supervisor or organization who is not supportive of work life balance. Which is why I am not sure why I should ask after getting a job offer than before. I am not sure what's the difference. If you don't have flexibility or don't allow telecommuting, the answer I will get during the interview or after receiving the offer would be the same.

I've been in the position of hiring people for positions that have good work/life balance in the past. It's something I'd bring up in an interview, because I think it's one of the plusses of the position.

But even so, I'd still be annoyed if you brought up your 1 year old in an interview. Why? First of all, because it puts me in a difficult position. It's not legal for me to take that information into account when I'm making a hiring decision, and so knowing it only makes my job more difficult. Secondly, because it tells me that you don't know the basic professional etiquette for interviewing, which makes me wonder what other boundaries you'll cross. Thirdly, it makes me wonder whether you'll be able to separate work/home. To be clear, I'm a strong advocate of things like breaks during the day for a mom to pump or go to daycare to nurse, adequate leave to allow someone to care for a sick child or attend a field trip, not having work go home. But I also expect that when you're at work, other than very specific situations (a phone call to school or a doctor), you'll have your head in the game. The fact that you can't stay on topic, for an hour long interview, makes me worry that you'll struggle to keep your attention on work.

This is a question I have. When negotiations for salary, I sometimes try to be direct and say that I would like this job but need enough money to make it work for me and my family. I guess I just don't want to come across as a greedy bastard (the work is interesting but I can't take the job unless plays enough). But I don't like bringing up my kids -- so still in the wrong I assume. I'm a DH if that makes difference.

Unprofessional and inappropriate. Whether or not the job pays enough to support your family at the level you desire is not relevant. The job will pay what the market will bear, and what you are worth. Would you do with that money is up to you. But your family is your relevant.

Clearly you are a woman and if you are not you need to turn in your man card. Your approach and fear is in that employers love. The job will pay what I ask for.
I'm a man and head of household and I've said this. Not the exact words, but the exact same sentiment. I get what i want or move on. I didn't just file my w2 for 379k because I'm a weak negotiator.