Examples and answers for work life balance interview questions

Work-life balance may seem difficult to achieve as your career advances. Yet it’s crucial for ensuring a happy, healthy, and productive life and reducing the potential for stress or burnout.

Balancing your professional and personal life can be tricky, but it’s essential. The opportunity to pursue external hobbies and activities, spend quality time with your family and friends, and allow time for yourself to relax and recharge is critical. 

Many employers encourage a healthy work-life balance, but how can you discover whether your prospective employer falls into this category? 

In this article, we explore:

• What does work-life balance mean for you?

• How to ask about work-life balance in an interview 

• Five work-life balance interview questions

What does work-life balance mean for you?

Identifying what work-life balance means to you is vital. Is the option for remote or hybrid work important? Does being home in time for dinner with the family matter to you? Are you passionate about sports or going to the gym during the week? Are your weekends sacred to you in terms of switching off and not receiving emails?

Make a list of what is important to you and then organize this by priority. There will likely be some things on the list that may be a deal breaker for you but others that you might be willing to compromise.

Know where your line in the sand falls so you can consciously decide whether or not to cross it.

How can you research their work-life balance before the interview?

An interview is the perfect time to uncover whether you have found an effective employer who values work-life balance. But before the interview, you can also lay the groundwork with a bit of research. 

A job description can give you a good indication of whether the job itself offers a good work-life balance. Requirements such as “able to change directions quickly” or “thrives in challenging and fast-paced environments” can indicate a potentially stressful setting where work-life balance isn’t a priority.

Apart from doing the usual company research, such as checking the company website and company values, it’s worth digging deeper for information on work-life balance. 

Check out company review sites to gain some inside info on the company and its culture. Glassdoor and Comparably offer great insights. You can also network and connect with current or former employees to hear about their experiences. LinkedIn is a great platform to use for this strategy.

8 Work-life balance interview questions to ask in an interview

It’s always a good idea to prepare interview questions, so including some questions on work-life balance is a great idea.

Here are eight interview questions to ask about work-life balance along with some items to look for in the answer that may either be a plus for the job or a red flag!

1. Can you explain a typical day for this role?

Asking about a typical day in the role during an interview is a savvy move. Many job descriptions lack specifics about daily tasks and team dynamics, making it crucial to inquire about these details. This question helps you understand expectations and potential working hours. If a significant portion of the day involves tasks you dislike or lengthy hours, it may indicate a mismatch with your career goals.

2. How do you measure success?

Inquiring about how success is measured within the company is crucial during an interview, not only for understanding work-life balance, but also for personal fulfillment. If the hiring manager emphasizes that success is evaluated based on the value you bring and mentions opportunities for advancement, it's a positive sign. However, if success is tied to working extra hours, it may not align with your priorities, and you should consider other opportunities.

3. Does the role involve frequent travel?

When considering a job that involves business travel, it's essential to clarify the extent of travel required. Even if travel isn't explicitly mentioned in the job posting, it's still worth asking about, as it could be a current or future requirement. If the interviewer mentions frequent regional, national, or international travel, it's likely to impact work-life balance significantly.

4. What benefits do you have that focus on work-life balance?

You want to watch out for answers that seem dismissive of work-life balance or only offer minimal benefits in this area. Look for responses that highlight flexible working hours, generous vacation time, or remote work options.

5. What's your company's policy on telecommuting? How frequently do people work from home?

If the answer suggests that telecommuting is discouraged or rare, it could indicate a lack of emphasis on work-life balance. On the other hand, positive responses will mention a supportive telecommuting policy and regular opportunities for employees to work from home. 

6. Can you tell me about your company culture? What makes it unique?

Pay attention to responses that paint a picture of a strictly work-focused culture with little regard for employee well-being. Instead, look for descriptions of a collaborative, supportive culture that values work-life balance, personal development, and open communication. 

7. Why is this position open? Is it a newly created role?

Be wary of answers that suggest high turnover or dissatisfaction among previous employees, as this could indicate potential issues with work-life balance or company culture. Ideally, the position should be open due to growth or expansion rather than turnover.

8. What do you enjoy most about working with this organization?

Listen for any signs that suggest a heavy workload or constant availability outside of regular working hours. Positive responses will focus on aspects like a supportive culture, flexible work options, and opportunities for personal growth and development.  

Key takeaways

1. Identifying your work-life balance priorities is critical in order to ensure your health and wellbeing. 

2. Make a list of the deal breakers, and be prepared to compromise on some of the other things where you can.

3. Analyze the job description, complete a deep dive into the company, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about work-life balance at your interview.