How do you balance life and work?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Pro Tip
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example
Community Answers

Any interview process is a costly affair for any employer. If they are short-staffed, other employees may pick up the slack and burn out faster. This affects morale and decreases productivity. There are also many payroll hours spent screening applicants, interviewing, onboarding, and training. So it is incumbent on those handling the rigorous selection process to do their due diligence in ensuring the person they choose can handle stress, and won't bring their personal issues into work. How you answer this question will offer the interviewer insights into how you cope with stress, either at work or at home. If you are stressed out at work, you'll burn out faster, and your performance will suffer. If an employee is stressed out in their personal life, it could not only hinder their performance but slow down the entire department, especially if they're drawing their coworkers into their personal drama.

Exude confidence and emotional maturity. These qualities are integral to leadership. It's important to keep a healthy work/life balance in order to prevent burnout. Demonstrate that you've balanced both worlds through your approach to life. Offer an anecdote to drive it home.

It's okay if you occasionally take your work home with you, or if you need to take time off from work for personal matters. The interviewer wants to know how you achieve that balance, and aren't governed by chaos.

"With the right company, it's pretty simple to balance life and work. When I enjoy what I do, it doesn't feel like a chore. I am always sure that when at home, my family gets my attention first. I take time on the weekends to do things for myself and ensure that I regenerate before the workweek begins."

"The perfect balance of work and life is difficult to achieve 100% of the time; however, I feel that in order to achieve a satisfactory balance, one must have hobbies outside of the workplace that they find fulfilling. These don't have to take up a lot of time, but they should help to energize you. For me, I like to go mountain biking on the weekends."

Anonymous Answer

"Until last month, I was working full time while attending night classes for my master's degree. I learned to set a time schedule and divide my tasks effectively in order to finish everything on time. and I excelled in this. I graduated with A's and A+'s and had an excellent yearly review. I also find time to do my hobbies like painting, skating, and horseback riding. Time management is key."