7 Questions to Ask in an Interview to Gauge an Organization’s View on Work-Life Balance
Choosing the right job for you isn’t just about the job but your larger life. No job is perfect, but when it comes to weighing the pros and cons of positions, consider how the job fits with your career goals and life goals. Make all goals a part of the decision-making process.
Going through an interview process means you are interviewing the other company as much as they are interviewing you. While there are numerous questions you should ask, here are some that can be asked to help you gauge how the potential employer could view the larger scope of life.
1.How do you measure success in this role?
This can be a good question for a hiring manager to help understand expectations for the role and if it will be a manageable or unrealistic amount of work.
2.What do you enjoy about the team or organization?
If the position includes interviews with peers, you could tend to get more honest, helpful answers with this question. Those individuals will likely have shared struggles and joys. Depending on how they answer the question, follow up with more specific questions.
3. What percentage of travel is involved in this role?
Even if the job posting lists a travel percentage, it’s a good idea to ask the question and see if the answer matches. Also, travel could be local or farther away. Asking the question helps get a better perspective of if the type of travel would be conducive to your lifestyle.
4. Think of your favorite colleagues at the organization. What makes them a good team member?
Recruiters and hiring managers often talk about their organizational culture. However, sometimes the branding doesn’t match reality. Asking this questions forces the responder to name specifics about a “good” team member, and you can discern if descriptions and stories are matching or not.
5. What does a typical week look like in this role?
Seek to understand the function of the role and imagine yourself in the position. Be honest with yourself regarding whether or not you truly see yourself thriving in the position and in how the position fits with your life.
Be sure to ask questions about the position and niche industry questions. If you come off too strong on the work-life balance sector, you might not be taken seriously.
6. Can you share a time when your work-life balance was off? How did you address that with your team or manager?
This is also a good series of questions to ask in a panel interview among peers. Examples challenge people to be specific and authentic, which helps you get a clearer picture of the environment.
7.How does the organization support employees during busy periods or peek seasons?
If you’re interviewing at an organization that you know goes through cycles of busy seasons, ask about those periods. Name the seasons and say you understand that more work is required and are willing to support. Then, ask how the organization supports the employees. You might find out about some interesting perks.
In conclusion, understanding a company's approach to work-life balance is crucial for determining if it aligns with your personal and professional values. By asking thoughtful questions during the interview process, you can gain valuable insights into the organization's culture, support systems, and overall commitment to employee well-being. A positive work-life balance not only enhances job satisfaction but also contributes to long-term productivity and engagement. Ultimately, choosing a workplace that prioritizes this balance can lead to a more fulfilling career and a healthier lifestyle.
You probably shouldn’t ask all 7 questions in one interview. Demonstrate that you are a diligent employee but also pepper in some of these questions as you sense appropriate.
Looking for more interview questions? Check out this longer list for a variety of questions.