Job Interview Question

[sue]

Been mostly lurking lately, but have a question I was hoping I'd get some input for?

Graduating with a BS in Business Management this May, and while I had previously hoped to stay with my current employer (state government), it doesn't look like this will work out. Love the place and the people, but I didn't go to college to keep the same <$25k job.

Here's the question I have... I'm a single parent, no family support, dad lives out of state and is minimally involved. So, it's me, 100% of the time, there is no back up. I fully understand that this will come up during any employment, my current employer is extremely generous, family comes first and I haven't missed a Christmas program etc. yet. I understand that this will likely not be the case with another employer, but there will be times when me needing me to be a parent will have to come first. Ds is 11, so we're not talking little kids, and he is able to stay home by himself for minor illnesses.

Would you bring this up in an interview? I'm concerned that it may be the kiss of death, but on the other hand, I think it's only fair for the employer to know ahead of time... and how else will I find out how they feel about it, if this job is a good fit for my family situation?

[rileyoday]

I would not bring it up at all.

Put you and your son first, not the company.

You can use sick days, personnal days, or vacation days to care for your son.

[Pants]

I wouldn't, especially in a job interview. You should be networking for jobs anyway, so you should be able to ask that of people at the company (btw, work/life balance is current terminology) before you even get into the interview.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I wouldn't, that is a great way to get yourself moved to the "shred" pile.

Look at the employer web site and handbook. My leave policy here where I work is pretty generous. DH's on the other hand is very very strict, it is not set up for him to be the parent to drop everything and get DD at daycare if she runs a fever.

I also have more flexibility in my hours than he does. I can come in at 6 am and leave at 2 pm one day if needed. He HAS to work his scheduled hours.

Reading the employee handbook can give you a general sense if the company overall is family friendly, you won't know personally about your boss. You can probably feel out during an interview what the boss expects of his employees and whether or not that would be a good fit for you.

[alabamagal]

It really shouldn't come up in a job interview as a direct question. It should only be a matter of whether or not you can work the job work schedule. It all depends on the job you are interviewing for. If the job requires that someone be present for a given time period (like at a retail store) then there is probably little flexibility. If a job requires overnight travel, it doesn't sound like that it is something that you should be looking at. But you should be prepared to respond to questions showing that you are a reliable employee (f that is the case). Jobs where work hours are more flexible are generally better, i.e. you get your job done and most employers don't mind if you are out to go to a school program. Also you shouldn't have the attitude that family is going to take precendence, but more like "this is how I can get my job done and also attend a school program".

[qofcc]

I wouldn't mention a thing until they offer you the job. By that time, presumably you'll have met a few people and know who has kids and you can ask for their thoughts on how the company views work/life balance. A lot will depend on the job responsibilities, whether or not you interact with customers, if your workload is heavily weighted toward certain times of the months. Even within one company, there are going to be positions that are flexible and ones that are not. Generally, the less customer contact you have, the fewer meetings and the more uneven workload, the more flexible the job is.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

Would you bring this up in an interview? I'm concerned that it may be the kiss of death, but on the other hand, I think it's only fair for the employer to know ahead of time... and how else will I find out how they feel about it, if this job is a good fit for my family situation?

Your years of working for the govt has you brain washed. Life is different in the real world.

That said, I suggest as the others, that this is not relevant.

[sue]

To ad... there is a specific job that's been brought to my attention through my university's career placement site... if it's not THE job for me, it's as close as I can get without moving. But I don't know a soul at the company and the website does not include a handbook.

[sue]

"Your years of working for the govt has you brain washed. Life is different in the real world."

Enlighten me.

[cronewitch]

A single 11 year old shouldn't be a problem if you put your job high on your priority list so seldom miss much work. Do not tell them you have children, they won't ask. After starting the job don't talk about your kid or hang pictures.

When you need a bit of time let your boss know and take it but make sure you save it for the important things. We have a mother working here with 2 little ones and a 17 year old. Her baby daddy usually takes care of the babies and if not the 17 year old does.

She took off 2 hours because baby daddy was out of town and 17 year old was trying to get admitted to a school so couldn't watch the babies. Once she took off to take a baby to the doctor because baby daddy can't handle two kids on the bus because he can't use one arm. He had picked up a baby by the arm and dislocated it.

Everyone understands that 2-3 times a year parenting comes first. She may take a day off or part of a day for his high school graduation. It isn't a big deal unless it is almost every week that something is more important than your job.

An 11 year old is almost old enough to take care of himself for minor things like walking to a dentist appointment or catching a ride to a sporting event so you don't have to miss work to drive him.

[tskeeter]

Sue, it sounds like you have at least a few years of service with the state. Government benefits, etc. are better than similar benefits in much of the private sector. If I had enough service to be significantly on the way to qualifying for a state pension, I'd want to make sure that I met those qualifications. Another thing to consider is that state governments are very large. Even if there isn't much opportunity for you to advance in your current department, there may be opportunities in other departments. I'd sit down and have a chat with my boss and probably his boss about my career aspirations and what opportunities there might be for me.

To respond to the question you asked, I wouldn't bring up your child care limitations. I would be prepared to discuss them, though. I'd point out the fact that your son is old enough to be pretty independent and talk about how he has demonstrated his independence and ability to care for himself so it doesn't pull you away from work frequently. However, the requirements of some jobs may not be appropriate for you at this point. That decision is up to you to make. The bottom line is will you be able to meet the requirements of the job and perform well enough so you can advance? If so, go for it. Don't make a minor issue that most employees your age face into an insurmountable obstacle in the eyes of prospective employers. You're there to sell yourself and put your best foot forward, not tell them all the reasons why they might not want to hire you. Emphasize the positives and minimize the negatives!

[garion2003]

Can they even ask this question? I only wonder because I'm on a search committee now and HR told us very clearly there were certain kinds of things we could not ask .

[stats45]

Sue, what kind of jobs are you looking for? I worked a few different retail/hospitality management jobs during college if you have any specific questions about interviews in those types of occupations.

Management is different in companies depending on their corporate structure. I had a retail management job where I stayed in the office and did paperwork and reports 70% of the time (on a normalish schedule), and another management job where I was expected to work busy times and help out on the floor.

One thing was constant though, 50 hours was a minimum for hours worked.

[gooddecisions]

"Can they even ask this question?"

It is against the law for a potential employer to ask about age, national origin, birthplace, race, color, religion, disability, sex, and marital/family status- which includes anything about your living situation, roommates, fiancés, spouses, children, etc.

I don't think that is the OP's point though. It sounds like she wants to bring it up during the interview in order to assess whether a potential employer will be the right fit for her lifestyle. I personally would not bring it up at all and would do my darndest for my personal life not to interfere with my work for at least the first 6 months.

I do interviews and if an applicant were to discuss this in an interview, it would definitely make me doubt his or her commitment to the necessary work hours and job responsibilities. It's your responsibility to convince a potential employer that you're commited to the necessary work hours, can fulfill the job requirements, and that your other responsibilities will not conflict. That's the real world that SF speaks of.

[cronewitch]

"Can they even ask this question?"

It is against the law for a potential employer to ask about age, national origin, birthplace, race, color, religion, disability, sex, and marital/family status- which includes anything about your living situation, roommates, fiancés, spouses, children, etc.

It isn't illegal to ask but is illegal to discriminate on protected class thing. Most interviewers will not ask because they don't want to be thought to have discriminated.

We interviewed a man last week and I was being receptionist. I called and told the boss his appointment was here then asked him if he had a cold because he was sniffling. He said he had bronchitis and all his kids have had it. The way he said all his kids I had to ask how many kids, he had 5 four live with him. He interviewed and wasn't someone we could use. He said he was good at math but couldn't figure out simple problems and said he was intermediate at excel but couldn't add two cells together so we didn't want him.

We didn't discriminate against him for having kids or being male or black or anything but that he couldn't do the work so even if we asked him questions we could probably win a discrimination suit. I shouldn't have asked because if I didn't I could say I didn't even know he had kids and I didn't notice he was male and black.

[dragonfly7]

Sue, I wouldn't even bring it up. There are an extraordinary number of people looking for jobs right now, and my perception is that all employers, public or private, are looking for any reason to help whittle down a pile of applications. Having children, or even the possibility of having them sometime soon, automatically infers that you will need time off to care for sicks kids, go to school or sports functions, etc. and can't always be counted on. Even if vacation and sick leave are available, using them can be socially detrimental to a person's ability to advance in a company.

I am a female of childbearing age, and even though they can't legally ask me directly, someone tries find out my marital or familial status at every single interview. This most commonly shows up as the question, "Do you have family in the area?", but when I forget to take off my wedding ring beforehand, I also hear, "So your birthday is in May?" quite often.

Like doing a research paper, I think there are certain words or phrases you can listen for in an interview that will let you know whether or not this is the type of position you need. Availability (especially in reference to certain hours or days), overtime, flexibility, last-minute, travel, etc. Meanwhile, research the company through your contacts, its website, and reviews like on GlassDoor.com. If you still don't have the information you need after all of that, I wouldn't ask until you have a firm offer.

[Deleted]

Sue, it sounds like you have at least a few years of service with the state. Government benefits, etc. are better than similar benefits in much of the private sector. If I had enough service to be significantly on the way to qualifying for a state pension, I'd want to make sure that I met those qualifications.

I work for the state (teacher), and I feel just the opposite, Sue. If you are young enough and have the credentials to get a decent private sector job, leave as soon as possible.

State employees are being laid-off and furloughed just like anyone else. Their pensions, health care, and other benefits are under attack. People ridicule the culture constantly.

I'd get out and try to go for the bucks. If you have ambition, you will do fine. It will provide a better life for you and your child.

[sue]

Thanks for the advice, everyone... sounds like the general consensus is "kiss of death".

"Sue, it sounds like you have at least a few years of service with the state."
tskeeter... 10 years this year, projected retirement date would be 2037. While I like the idea of a pension, the jobs I'm looking at pay double+ what I am making now. I think I can make up for the lack in pension and still come out ahead. I would prefer to stay here, but there aren't any opportunities here right now... possibly in 4 years, when some people start retiring.

"Sue, what kind of jobs are you looking for?"
Stats... the one that prompted this question is for an HR training coordinator for a manufacturer. The field I'd like to stay with is HR in general. I don't have an issue with 50hrs a week, as long as I'm with an employer who understands that sometimes being a parent will have to come first. Maybe I am spoiled with my current job, but my kids come first for another 7 years, even if that means staying here for lower pay.

"It's your responsibility to convince a potential employer that you're commited to the necessary work hours, can fulfill the job requirements, and that your other responsibilities will not conflict. That's the real world that SF speaks of. "
gooddecisions... the real world for me is that my "other responsibilities" will occasionally conflict. If an employer does not understand this, it will not work out... that's what prompted my question... my thought is if it's not going to work, let's save both of us the trouble of trying.

"Like doing a research paper, I think there are certain words or phrases you can listen for in an interview that will let you know whether or not this is the type of position you need. Availability (especially in reference to certain hours or days), overtime, flexibility, last-minute, travel, etc. Meanwhile, research the company through your contacts, its website, and reviews like on GlassDoor.com. If you still don't have the information you need after all of that, I wouldn't ask until you have a firm offer. "
Thanks, dragonfly7, I will check out the website, and the key words make a lot more sense than asking how family friendly they are lol.

Thanks everyone for their thoughts, I appreciate it.

[cronewitch]

When I was younger and single, I made sure I said something along the lines of 'It's just me and the cat' to let them know that I wasn't attached (mobile) and didn't have kids.


I do that too saying I am single and don't have kids so can work as much overtime as needed. People assume I won't have children once I was over about 40. One job was looking for non child bearing age women since the last 4 women had babies and quit.

I also try to let them know I am from here. We get Californicated here in Washington, they try to bring California ideas with them so locals don't like them.

[workpublic]

say or don't say anything you have to, to get the job. there is no loyalty between employer and employee anymore.

[tskeeter]

While I agree with Susana that public sector employee benefits are under attack, I don't think they are under attack any more than private sector benefits. I was looking at a salary and benefits survey published by a recruiting firm yesterday. They reported that the percentage of employers who offered a pension in 2010 had dropped to less than half of the percentage that offered pensions in 2008 (for 2010, only 10% of respondents are employed by companies that offer pensions). I don't have the impression that 50% of government agencies have eliminated their pension programs in the last four years and I believe that many more that six state governments offer pensions to their employees. In addition, I believe that many government pensions are subject to cost of living adjustments. COLA adjustments to pension payments are rare in the private sector. Overall, for pension benefits, I think the public sector rules. There were similar changes in many other benefits. From a personal standpoint, my contribution to medical care has increased by 75% over the past two years and I am currently paying a bit over 30% of the cost. Many of my peers report that they have experienced similar increases. Have public sector employee contributions to medical care increased similarly? Overall, I don't think the pressure government is experiencing regarding pensions is going to cause massive changes for existing government employees. But I do think that future government employees could be affected.

As the OP looks to move to the private sector, there are many issues to consider. To move from about $25K to $50K sounds like a lot. However, 7.65% of the $50K, $3,825, will go to FICA. Is the OP currently subject to FICA withholdings? Our local school district contributes 21% of base pay to the teachers pensions. Apply that same percentage to the $50K and you are looking at $10,500 going to retirement. Even at only 10%, retirement saving is likely to eat up $5,000 of the OP's check. Our local teachers enjoy 100% employer paid medical benefits. My employee only medical and dental contributions run $2,400 a year. Add a child, and the OP will probably have even more deducted from her pay check. Then factor in the 25% more work hours. How will that affect living expenses? More meals out? Housekeeping assistance? Send laundry out to be cleaned? How about taxes? Is it safe to assume that the OP's federal and state income taxes would increase by 2% or more?

So, now some very rough math. Increase to anticipated salary, $25K. Less new/additional expenses: FICA - $3,825, retirement at 10% - $5,000, medical/dental - $2,400, income taxes at 2% - $1,000, adjustment for additional work hours - $10,000, total = $22,225. Funds available to improve lifestyle, $2,775. Maybe.

Now, before everyone starts nitpicking my assumptions, this exercise is intended to cause the OP to consider more than just the pay level. Her real world situation could yield a very different result. However, the grass may not be as green on the other side of the fence as it would first appear. As for me, I don't think I would give up 10 years of service toward a government pension for a job that would improve my lifestyle by less than $3K a year.

[workpublic]

tskeeter,

thanks for succinctly putting into perspective.
many govt workers don't get it. just like most upper management workers in the private sector don't.

it's tough on the masses in the private sector.

[sheilaincali]

The employer can't ask certain questions and don't volunteer the answers if they don't ask. I don't know what it is but when I start interviewing people they seem to spill the beans to me. I mentioned to one applicant last week that we do pre-employment drug testing for all "Driver" positions. He goes on to tell me in detail that he will pass the test since he hasn't smoked dope in over a year, but then explains all the drugs he has done over the years. Why would you tell and employer that?
We do a lot of work out of town and this requires the guys to stay in hotels (which we pay for). He tells me it would piss off his girl friend to not be able to keep tabs on him since other women flirt with him if he is out drinking without his girl friend.

So essentially by my saying "we do drug testing and occasionally work out of town" this kid gave me his entire life story. I know how many time he has broken his right hand, what drugs he has done, how many times he has cheated on his gf and that he has a pretty long criminal record (and I didn't even ask about that- he said "do you background check? because I have to explain somethings")

So my advice would be- if they can't ask you a question don't volunteer an answer anyway.

[sue]

"Now, before everyone starts nitpicking my assumptions, this exercise is intended to cause the OP to consider more than just the pay level. Her real world situation could yield a very different result."

I have and it is.

Already paying FICA. Retirement is 6% mandatory with a 100% match from the employer, add supplemental/outside retirement and I'm closer to 30%. Medical/dental - already paying that. No state income tax, federal is currently negative. Not sure what the $10k adjustment for additional work hours is.

[tskeeter]

workpublic, my comments weren't intended to be a slam on public sector employees. Just a heads up so the OP doesn't overlook differences in compensation and benefits that sometimes exist between some parts of the public sector and what is common in the private sector. The OP's most recent post indicates that many of these differences do not exist in her current situation and that she had taken them into account to the extent that she believes is appropriate.

Sue, I agree that my adjustment for additional work hours is a little unusual. It looks like you have done your homework thoroughly, so I expect that you are aware that, as another poster pointed out, a 50 hour work week is the common expectation for salaried exempt employees today. My adjustment was an attempt to put a dollar value on any additional hours you might need to work if you change jobs. You may not agree with my logic, or you may already be working well over 40 hours a week for your current compensation. As an old fart who is burned out on more than 25 years of 60 and 80 hour work weeks, I'm starting to place more value on my personal time than I used to and think erosion of personal time has a value associated with it.

[sue]

"I'm starting to place more value on my personal time than I used to and think erosion of personal time has a value associated with it. "

Thanks for explaining... not sure if it's a real dollar value you can subtract though? But I see your point. And no, I don't even work 40hrs right now... I'm there for 40hrs, I get paid for 40hrs, but my guess is in an average week, I put in 20hrs of actual work... sad, but true... the main reason for that is that I've streamlined a lot of tasks... I'd rather spend the time upfront to create databases and spreadsheets, which saves me much more time later on. It's still the same workload, just completed a lot more efficiently.

I used to ask my boss for more work... in turn, he created projects for me to do which were the equivalent of dig a hole, fill a hole. I learned to stop asking and just look busy.

[share88]

I have never attempted to put a $ value on it, but I would imagine you currently get a lot more paid holidays than the average employer gives.

[hdblue]

Apr 6, 2011 2:50:13 GMT -5 share88 said:

I have never attempted to put a $ value on it, but I would imagine you currently get a lot more paid holidays than the average employer gives.

HI,

Really? I have got some my ideals to share to this thread. I'll send later.

We also find them more same at: retail interview questions

Best rgs.

[sue]

"I have never attempted to put a $ value on it, but I would imagine you currently get a lot more paid holidays than the average employer gives. "

Probably, but that doesn't pay for student loans or any other bills

I'm getting the impression from some that I should rethink this, that this job will not be as financially advantageous as I'm thinking... I'm not sure what I'm missing though? Current job ~$25k/yr after 10yrs... the other job $50-60k starting. Yeah, I like paid holidays, but I like money better. I like the idea of a pension, but it will not be a great one because it's based on my pay (unless I can get a similar paying job with my current employer which is unlikely for now). Strange as it sounds, I am actually looking forward to paying taxes... I've been in a negative tax bracket for too dang long.

[tskeeter]

Sue, we're looking forward to you paying taxes, too.

Thinking with a long term perspective, seems to me that the ideal job for you is one where you could take advantage of the 10 years you have invested toward a defined benefit pension (which is a way cool benefit these days), use the education that you have gotten, and increase your compensation significantly.

Your education is reasonably broad. It could qualify your for a wide variety of state positions. I'm thinking about things like auditing, contract or program administrator, etc. Anything that would leverage your education and computer skills. Would you consider something less than ideal for a few years in hopes that you could move into your dream job with the state?

If it really comes down to the fact that you just don't want to work for the state any more, then put your employment with the state behind you and move on.