How do you ask about work life balance during interview?

[Anonymous]

I'm not able to find out much about this organization I'm interviewing for later this week and would like some pointers in asking the work life balance question as well as telecommuting during my interview. I'll be talking to the HR director and VP and I'm not even sure if I should ask the VP or HR director. It's something very important to me as I have a one year old.

[Anonymous]

Looks k on glass door

[Anonymous]

DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

NP here. What questions are ok to ask once the offer is made? Is asking about teleworking 2 days a week reasonable? Curious if that's a red flag for a supervisor to have a potential new employee asking this off the bat. (sorry to digress OP)

[Anonymous]

"Tell me what a typical day looks like for someone in the group."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

How come if it is something important to OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

NP here. What questions are ok to ask once the offer is made? Is asking about teleworking 2 days a week reasonable? Curious if that's a red flag for a supervisor to have a potential new employee asking this off the bat. (sorry to digress OP)

I'm not PP, but I think your teleworking question post-offer is only a reasonable one if the situation is such that the employer is lucky to have you (as opposed to vice versa) and you know you have equal or better options for full-time work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

How come if it is something important to OP?

Because the interview isn't about what's important to the candidate. The interview is about what's important to the organization.

Once they decide they want you, then the ball's in your court and you need to figure out if you want them, and can ask those questions, but during the interview phase the candidate's focus needs to be on proving that you are the best fit for the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

NP here. What questions are ok to ask once the offer is made? Is asking about teleworking 2 days a week reasonable? Curious if that's a red flag for a supervisor to have a potential new employee asking this off the bat. (sorry to digress OP)

I'm not PP, but I think your teleworking question post-offer is only a reasonable one if the situation is such that the employer is lucky to have you (as opposed to vice versa) and you know you have equal or better options for full-time work.

No, it's reasonable regardless. If an offer has been made, then the organization is obviously motivated to get the candidate to accept. It's reasonable to ask this, but you have to be open to hearing the answer will be no.

I once asked about telework options because a job was a long commute, and I was told no dice. But I was offered the ability to stagger my schedule (arrive and leave early) instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DO NOT ASK. That is a POST offer question.

NP here. What questions are ok to ask once the offer is made? Is asking about teleworking 2 days a week reasonable? Curious if that's a red flag for a supervisor to have a potential new employee asking this off the bat. (sorry to digress OP)

I'm not PP, but I think your teleworking question post-offer is only a reasonable one if the situation is such that the employer is lucky to have you (as opposed to vice versa) and you know you have equal or better options for full-time work.

No, it's reasonable regardless. If an offer has been made, then the organization is obviously motivated to get the candidate to accept. It's reasonable to ask this, but you have to be open to hearing the answer will be no.

I once asked about telework options because a job was a long commute, and I was told no dice. But I was offered the ability to stagger my schedule (arrive and leave early) instead.

NP here. How did you phrase asking about telework for the long commute? I am interviewing for a great job with a horrendous commute and want to bring this up (or the idea of a staggered schedule) if I get an offer.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Ask your interviewer about hobbies outside of work. Its a natural part of conversation and says a lot (no hobbies = no free time).

It is ok to ask about working hours.

I would not ask about telecommuting yet. If I had to choose between candidates I would immediately strike the one who thinks they have earned the right to telecommute before adding value to my org.

[Anonymous]

Tell me about the team I will be working with on a day to day basis ...... oh - are they all located here in DC?

Will I be managing any remote or teleworking team members?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask your interviewer about hobbies outside of work. Its a natural part of conversation and says a lot (no hobbies = no free time).

It is ok to ask about working hours.

I would not ask about telecommuting yet. If I had to choose between candidates I would immediately strike the one who thinks they have earned the right to telecommute before adding value to my org.

Do you have any question?
Yes, I would like to know what you do outside of work.

[Anonymous]

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 disagree with this advice. I think that someone asking about work life balance right away is a red flag and may lead some to assume she's inflexible.

I think a better way to get at it is to ask about the workplace culture- that can tell you a lot- and also to ask why the position is vacant- why did the last person leave? Those two questions help get to some of the work life balance and also are totally appropriate for the interview.

I'm a hiring manager, FWIW.