Having young children doesn’t affect how you do your job, but it may very well affect when you take vacation days, how many sick days you utilize and how many hours you can put in at the office. If you’re looking for accommodations like the option to leave early for school pickup or to work from home some days, chances are you will want to find out whether a potential employer is on board before going too far into the interview process.
Why not to mention your kids in an interview
At least in your first interview, your employers want to hear why you want the position and what makes you a good candidate for it. When you bring up children and the need for flexibility before asking pertinent questions about the job itself, such as the responsibilities, work hours, and company culture, you’re signalling to the hiring team that you’re focused more on your life than on your work.
Also, hiring managers are not necessarily telling you the truth about the work-life balance at the company. They will give you the official company policy, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the experiences of the employees themselves. Companies may say that they value work-life balance but not actually mean it. And the reality might differ depending on what department you’re in and who your boss is.
How to find out what the work-life balance is really like
The best way to gauge what the work-life balance is really like in the company and in a specific department is to ask the people who work there. You can usually find employees of the company on LinkedIn or through connections, and they can tell you what the real deal is.
Asking general questions about company culture can also give you a hint if you read between the lines. For instance, be wary of phrases like:
- We work hard and play hard
- We work unconventional hours
- We’re all one big family
If this is the official line, chances are that this company blurs the lines between personal and professional and expects you to be available beyond regular work hours.
When you should mention your kids
Employers in Israel are not allowed to discriminate against parents in hiring, but this is probably not going to stop them from asking about your personal life. If you’re asked point-blank about whether you have kids, it’s best to answer honestly.
If you’ve been invited back for a second or third interview and flexibility is key in determining whether you want the job, it’s best to bring this up before wasting your time on multiple interviews, assignments and negotiations. If you don’t need more flexibility than what’s offered by the general company policy, you don’t have to bring up your kids until you’re making coffee in the company kitchen on your first day on the job.
For more interview tips, see:
