How to Answer: How do you balance life and work?
14. How do you balance life and work?
How to Answer
It is essential to keep a healthy work/life balance to prevent burnout. Talk to the interviewer about how you can maintain that appropriate balance for yourself. You do not want to answer as though work is so exhausting that you cannot keep up, but you also do not want to come across as a workaholic either. Find a healthy balance.
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Answer Example
"I find that 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 work week begins."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Admin Example
"If I feel that I need to find a balance, I will sometimes take my email off of my phone for a Saturday. I like to be known as available. However, there are the odd times when I need to unplug for a bit."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Manager Example
"Work smarter, not harder! I follow this piece of advice often and lead my teams to do the same. When we can streamline the process and become efficient, we can then focus less on the total amount of hours worked."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Marketing Example
"As a freelance marketer, I have found that I sometimes need to say no to some work. I do not like to turn work down, as it makes me feel unappreciative of the opportunities coming my way; however, burnout is not the option either."
Retail Example
"Balance, when working retail, can be a challenge because many of my shifts require working evenings and weekends. To keep a balance, I make sure to book coffee dates with my friends during the week and spend time by myself. It's important to stay grounded and in tune with your own needs when you have a sporadic schedule."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Sales Example
"I found myself working late quite often not because of the pile-up of work but because of my perfectionism. To find a balance I have started assuring myself that I will do my best, and that is good enough. I do not need to go over reports 100 times to ensure that they are completely perfect."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
Teacher Example
"I often need to bring my work home, to finish marking tests, for instance. On days when I feel like I have neglected my home life, I will close the door to my office and take my family out to dinner and a movie. It may mean pushing my work to a bit later in the night but having that slight refresh can be incredibly motivating."
Written by Rachelle Enns on April 7th, 2018
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