If work-life balance tops your priority list, you need to find out what it’s like to work in a particular environment before accepting an offer.
Checking out a company’s reputation is a good starting point, so long as you don’t put too much stock in the comments on employee review sites such as Glassdoor or The Muse, noted Remster Bingham, vice president of Recruiting for Genesis10, an IT consulting and workforce development firm.
Companies that give more than lip service to work-life balance usually cite examples of specific programs or initiatives on their company website, noted Jody Michael, a certified career coach as well as CEO and founder of Jody Michael Associates.
Michael cited FullContact as an example. The company provides a $7,500 stipend to pay for vacation; the catch is employees must be completely “off the grid” while vacationing in order to collect.
Inquiring about advertised promises or values provides the perfect segue into a discussion about work-life balance with a hiring manager.
Even if a company is regarded as a great place to work by most employees, your own experience will end up dictated by your role and responsibilities, the nature of the project you’re assigned to, and your manager’s expectations and abilities. That’s why asking current and former employees about a typical workday can help determine whether you’ll be able to achieve your vision of work-life balance.
Ask how the manager plans projects and estimates deadlines, and whether staffing levels are adequate. And be sure to inquire about the workloads, so you can estimate how many hours it will take you to meet production goals.
If you get similar feedback from several sources, chances are you have a clear picture of the culture and practices. If you hear conflicting stories, be ready to ask very pointed questions during your meeting with the hiring manager.