When seeking a career with an organization that values the work-life balance there are a number of things that you should take into consideration. There are a number of ways to go about determining whether or not the company you are interested in working for values the work-life balance. The two most common ways to gather information on a particular organization is before you being the application process or during the interview. There are many individuals who make the decision to outright ask an employer if they believe in the balance between work and life. This is a great way to get an answer to your questions, but it could also work to your disadvantage. Some employers, especially those who have not adopted the popular work-life balance theory, are likely to feel that you will not be a good job candidate. Many of these employers are still looking for employees who are willing to commit all of their work time to work and only work. If you are only interested in working for a work-life balance employer then asking the question should not have an impact on your employment. If you plan on directly asking an employer their feelings on the balance between work and life you will want to do so in the middle or the end of the interview. This will make it appear as if that is not the only reason why you are seeking employment with them. In addition to sharing the same values, many companies want to hear that you have faith in their products being sold or services being offered. If you feel uncomfortable outright inquiring about work-life balance in the workplace then there are a number of other ways that you can go about asking. Since the work-life balance promotes working while still being able to enjoy life there are many businesses that make it easier for their employees to take time off from work. To determine if a company you are interested in applying to shares this concept you can ask about job sharing, family medical leave, alternative work arrangements, and onsite childcare. All of these features are typically found in a workplace that values life and family just as much as it does work. Whether you are a parent who is interested in spending more time with your family or you are an avid skier who is unable to hit the slopes because of your busy work schedule, there are ways to find a career with employers that values the fact that you do have a life aside from work. At the current time it may take research and time to find those employers, but as the popularity of work-life balance continues to expand across the globe it is likely that your search will get easier in time. — Jennifer Foote. We will continue to discuss work & life balance in the series of Achieving Work-Life Balance. Stay tuned.
