How to Answer: How do you find harmony between your professional life and your personal life?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Amazon job interview.
44. How do you find harmony between your professional life and your personal life?
What You Need to Know
Jeff Bezos has stated that he doesn't prefer the phrase "work-life balance." Instead, he argues that work and life are a circle and uses the phrase "work-life harmony" to communicate this concept, suggesting it is not a balance. "I get asked about work-life balance all the time. And my view is, that's a debilitating phrase because it implies there's a strict trade-off. And the reality is, if I am happy at home, I come into the office with tremendous energy. And if I am happy at work, I come home with tremendous energy. It actually is a circle; it's not a balance. And I think that is worth everybody paying attention to it. You never want to be that guy who, as soon as they come into a meeting, they drain all the energy out of the room. You want to come into the office and give everyone a kick in their step."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
How to Answer
Describe to your interviewer what you do to foster harmony between your professional and personal life. Often, a person's time management and communication skills can build a strong foundation at home and work. An emotionally intelligent and grounded perspective and a great attitude can contribute to this harmony. Share your approach to striking harmony in that circle.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I enjoy what I do for a living, as well as my personal time. I would say that I am a very happy and content person in general and that one feeds into the other."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023
Experienced Example
"I am very organized and forward-thinking. I look at life as playing a game of chess with yourself. When you look at how you are playing the game of life, you always have to be thinking about three moves ahead. So I make sure everything I need for the morning or the week is all laid out. I plan out my morning routine and meals for the week and ensure my responsibilities at work or home are all set up and ready to go when it is time. I believe there is no room for preventable stress in my life, so I prevent it wherever possible. So in this regard, I see myself as a successful person, and being successful makes me happy."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 25th, 2023