The Wall Street Journal-20080129-Subtly Is Best To Determine Aspects of Job

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Subtly Is Best To Determine Aspects of Job

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Q: During interviews, when and how should I bring up my desire for work-life balance?

A: Wait until you're certain that you're going to get the job, or better yet, wait until you have an offer. Even then, the best approach is probably indirect. Directly mentioning your desire for a balanced life can be off-putting to interviewers, says Robin Ryan, a career counselor in Newcastle, Wash.

Also, if you're a C-level candidate or a doctor, you can't expect much work-life balance. Putting in long hours also goes with the territory for certain professionals, top executives and employees at young companies. "If you want a lot of work-life balance, don't work for a start-up," Ms. Ryan says.

But if you're interviewing for less-senior jobs at more-mature companies, ask questions about the employer's culture and the job responsibilities instead of bringing up the issue directly. Gus Anderson, a vice president at Affinity Consulting Group Inc., a staffing and recruiting firm in Coral Gables, Fla., suggests that good questions to ask might include what the previous incumbent's typical day or week was like; how much time he spent in the office; whether he usually worked evenings and weekends; if he worked remotely via computers and digital devices and if so, how much; and if he was expected to be available 24/7.

A more subtle query might be whether the company allows computer log-in access from home. "If they say no and that you have to be here for security reasons, you can make up your own mind," he says.

If possible, speak with the previous jobholder and potential co- workers. Find out what the company expects in terms of face time and how issues such as child-care responsibilities are handled. If a recruiter is involved, this person can sometimes ask these questions for you.