How to Find Out Whether Employers Prioritize Work-Life Balance

What does your dream workday look like? Do you wake up refreshed, free from the stress of rush-hour traffic? Do you enjoy a morning cup of coffee on your porch before beginning a rewarding day of work, all without leaving the house?

To make that dream a reality, you need tofind a job with a company that supports flexible work andwork-life balance.

Unfortunately, companies aren’t always transparent about their flexible work policies. You canask about flexible workduring the interview, but at that point, if the company says no, you’ve already invested a lot of time in tailoring your resume, applying, and interviewing, only to find out the company doesn’t offer the work-life balance you need.

Instead, incorporate your search for work-life balance into your job researchbeforeapplying. You’ll avoid wasting time on roles that don’t meet your needs. And luckily, it’s not too hard tofigure out a company’s view on flexible workwhen you know where to look.

Investigate the Company Culture

Your first stop? Gather information while you’re getting a big-picture overview of thecompany culture.

—Review the Company’s Website

You might get the answers you need on the company’s website. You’re looking for anyreferences to flexible work policies or support for work-life balance. Generally, that information can be found on the company’s career page, along with a list of other benefits to help attract top talent. Mentions ofhome office or internet stipendsare a good sign!

Otherwise, you might find what you need with a bit more digging. Read employee testimonials that are showcased. Do they praise the benefits of their work arrangements? You can also do a quick search for press releases or blog posts highlighting flexible work or employer accolades they’ve received.

—Check Out Employee Reviews

If the company pages don’t turn up anything, current and former employees can give you the scoop. Fortunately, break room chatter has gone digital, and connecting with employees is easier than ever.

Thanks to technology, it’s easy for employees to air grievances orshare their delight with a company. Onlineemployee opinions and review sites can give you a peek behind the scenes.

You’ll need to scan through the details. For example, an employee sharing appreciation for the ability to work and travel is a good indicator that the company supports working from anywhere.

Note that flexibility can vary by role, and watch for recurring themes in the reviews. If flexibility is a consistent theme one way or the other, that’s a good signal for you to make an informed decision. Also, note when the reviews were made, as policies evolve over time and with changes in leadership.

—Dig Through Social Media Pages

Harness your inner Sherlock Holmes and become a social media detective. Look through the company’sLinkedIn,Twitter, andFacebookpages. Start by looking for posts aboutcurrent job listings. Be sure to check the comments to see if your question has already been asked and answered.

Beyond job listings, you can look forposts supporting flexible workin general. For example, a post stating something like, “Many executives are expressing concern over theproductivity of remote workers. However, we’ve found the exact opposite to be the case.” That’s a great sign that the company might offer the flexibility you need.

—Research the Company’s Accolades

Maybe someone else has done the work for you. Has the company been recognized on FlexJobs’ annual list of theTop 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs? Fantastic! Those are the crème de la crème of remote companies.

What about other accolades? Browse thecompany overview in our jobs database, orsearch for companies by awards and accolades. Anyhonors or awards related to flexibilitycan give you a feel for the company’s culture and signal that they should move a little further up on your list of dream companies.

Analyze the Job Listings

You might be able to find what you need byanalyzing the job listinga bit more carefully, looking for flexibility-related keywords and a few other key signals.

—Note Where Jobs Are Posted

你在哪里找到这个帖子?这可能会给你u the answer you need. For example, jobs posted onbeplay中心appand sites such asRemote.coare exclusively focused on flexible work options.

On the other hand, most job sites present a mix of traditional and flexible work opportunities. You’ll need to spend more time researching listings on those sites. To save time,focus your search onniche job sitesdevoted to flexibility.

—Examine Job Postings for Flexibility-Related Keywords

Even if the posting doesn’t go into great detail about its flexibility, you can look for flexibility-related keywords.

These keywords and phrases are the most common:

Be mindful that there’s a wide variety of work arrangements within those job descriptors, and the job description might not explicitly detail if the position offers the flexibility you need. But finding details that you can clarify during an interview can feel more comfortable than询问flexibilitywhen it’s not mentioned at all.

—Identify Job Titles

Tying in with that tip, look for nuances in the job title itself. For example,a virtual assistant roleindicates a virtual (or remote) job, while an executive assistant posting could be in-office, remote, or hybrid—a combination of the two.

Network With Current and Former Employees

If none of those methods have given you the answers you need, it’s time to level up your networking game.

—Start With LinkedIn

Where should you look first when you need to connect in the professional world? LinkedIn! LinkedIn can be a gold mine of information. You cannetwork with hiring managersand employees. And if you’ve never tried toconnect with a stranger on LinkedInbefore, it’s easier than it seems.

Start by sending a personalized message. Introduce yourself or engage with a post they’ve shared. Share your interest in the company they work for andask open-ended questions about how the organization supports work-life balance, as well as their personal experiences.

—Attend Industry Events

While LinkedIn is often the easiest networking option, it’s certainly not the only one. If you have enough time before the post closes or you’re simply working onresearching the company, look for conferences, virtual hiring fairs, andnetworking mixers. You never know when a casual conversation might yield the inside scoop you need.

Local business associations, the Chamber of Commerce, trade shows, or even youralumni associationare all great places to start. You can also consider sites likeMeetupor local Facebook groups to find events.

Finding the Flexibility You Need

Uncovering a company’s commitment to flexible work before the interview process can save you massive time and energy in your job search. With these tips, you’re ready toidentify organizations that support a flexible work environment. Finding the best job fit can take a bit of perseverance, but it’s well worth it

And of course, FlexJobs is here to support you in your quest for a job with better work-life balance. We offer members exclusiveaccess to our entire jobs database. With remote, hybrid, and flexible jobs posted every day in超过50个的职业类别, there's something for everyone. Take a tour of FlexJobs to learn more about how a membership can empower your job search and career!

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