### The Smartest Question to Ask in a Job Interview, And The One You Shouldn’t
In today’s job market, work-life balance has become a top priority for job seekers. However, bringing this topic up during a job interview could significantly hurt your chances of getting hired.
#### What Not to Ask
Bert Bean, CEO of the staffing firm Insight Global, warns against asking one particular question during an interview. According to Bean, asking, “What’s the work-life balance for this role?” is a big mistake. He says that this question can send the wrong message about your career aspirations to a potential employer.
Bean explains that asking about work-life balance can make you seem disengaged, unreliable, or uncommitted to the role. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right work-life balance but states that it should be a personal issue owned by the employee, not the employer.
#### Alternative Ways to Assess Work-Life Balance
Bean suggests that there are other ways to determine a company’s approach to work-life balance outside of the interview. He recommends reading employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor and Indeed, or reaching out to someone at the company to ask about the organization’s culture.
#### What Questions Can You Ask?
Barry Drexler, an interview coach, recommends asking questions that can help you understand the level of work expected in the job. For example, you can ask about being reached in off-hours or the company policy on taking a sick day or vacation.
As you progress through the hiring process, Drexler adds that the employer will likely provide additional details on what the job entails, which should give you an idea of how the team views work-life balance.
#### A Final Word
In conclusion, it is crucial to be mindful of the questions you ask during a job interview. While work-life balance is a significant consideration, there are specific ways of addressing this topic without risking your chances of getting hired. With careful wording and a more nuanced approach, you can gather essential information about a company’s work-life balance without raising any red flags.
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