how to ask about company benefits

How to ask about benefits & work-life balance

• Bring it up softly. “Can you tell a bit about the internal culture in your organization?” This is, admittedly, a broad question but the interviewer’s response will tell you a ...
• Ask a more granular question to gain an understanding of schedule. ...
• Ask the interviewer. ...
• Establish your work-life boundaries. ...

Full Answer

How do you ask about benefits in a job interview?

Focus first on selling yourself and wait for the right opportunity to ask about benefits. Look for strong signs of interest from the interviewer before broaching the topic of salary. Questions like “When can you start?” or “Can you provide references?” are generally a sign that an offer may be in the cards.

How do you discuss benefits with a potential employer?

Wait until you have a job offer to discuss employee benefits, either with human resources or the person who is offering you the job. Next, take some time to review the benefit plans so you can make an educated decision based on the benefits information provided by your prospective employer. Review the benefits offered.

What questions should I ask about my benefits plan?

In general, there are employee benefits questions you should ask about to ensure that your overall compensation plan is right for you and for your family. Also, ask specific questions based on your needs and on the criteria that are important to you. Does the employee pay for health insurance coverage?

How to ask what will an employer do for You?

There’s always more than one way to phrase a question. Style and approach help you get the information you want. Choose your words and phrasing carefully when asking about what an employer will do for you. Let’s dig into this.

Is it OK to ask about company benefits in an interview?

“Company benefits [and salary negotiations] don't come into play until an offer has been extended,” says Kohut. The same principle applies to sick time and vacation days. It's best to avoid any question that sounds like you assume you already have the position—unless, of course, your interviewer brings it up first.

How do I ask for benefits after a job offer?

Wait until you have a job offer to discuss employee benefits, either with human resources or the person who is offering you the job. Next, take some time to review the benefit plans so you can make an educated decision based on the benefits information provided by your prospective employer.

How do you ask about salary and benefits?

Always let the interviewer bring up the discussion first As hard as it is for most job seekers to do, the only appropriate time to ask about salary and benefits is at the offer stage of the interview. Always let the interviewer bring up the discussion first, so you know that you are at that stage.

How do you ask for benefits in an email sample?

Before I accept your offer, I would like to discuss the compensation package. Please don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the base salary and I think it's in-line with the job description and average market salary. However, I'm due to receive ($__________) as (bonus or incentive name) from my current employer this year.

How do I ask my boss for benefits?

Request a Total Package.[See: 6 Crucial Benefits to Negotiate Besides Salary.]Be Strategic About Timing.Calculate the Value of Your Benefits.[See: 7 Companies With Perks That Will Totally Make You Jealous.]Always Ask for More Money, Too.[See: 10 Things They Don't Tell You About Your First Job.]More items...•

What are good questions to ask about benefits?

Questions to Ask About Employee BenefitsDoes the company offer health insurance?Will it cover members or my family as well as myself? ... How much of the premium costs do I have to pay for myself? ... Can I choose different levels of coverage? ... What kind of coverage is there for dental, vision and disability insurance?More items...

When should I ask about benefits at work?

A good rule of thumb is to wait to ask questions about benefits until you know you're a serious candidate for the position, such as during the second or third round of interviews.

How do you politely ask for salary?

Asking directly about salary is one way you can demonstrate to the interviewer that you have the confidence and communication skills to thrive in the position for which you're applying. You could say, "What is the expected salary for this position?" or "How much can I expect to earn per year in this role?"

How do I ask my boss about salary?

Ask for what is due and mention the specifics like time frame and number of working days. An example would be as follows. I would like to bring to your notice that I have not received my monthly compensation for the month of XXX. Please look into the particulars and do the needful at your end.

How do you talk to employees about benefits?

Effectively Communicate Your Employee Benefits in These 5 WaysEducate employees through onboarding. Consider adding information about your company benefits to your careers page or job descriptions. ... Empower managers. ... Create an ongoing conversation. ... Make it accessible. ... Build an integrative strategy.

What benefits will get to you of your company?

Let's start with the four best company benefits that will help your employees feel appreciated and help them feel more focused at work.Health insurance. ... Life insurance. ... Paid time off—that actually gets taken. ... Family leave. ... 401(k) and retirement planning. ... Student loan assistance. ... Career development. ... Lunch stipend or team lunch.More items...•

How do you negotiate a benefit package?

5 Tips to Negotiate Your Compensation PackageDon't Be Afraid to Ask. Here's a simple tenet but one you should never forget: It never hurts to ask. ... Think Outside of the Paycheck Box. ... Get a Better Title. ... Seek Out Learning Opportunities. ... Get Everything in Writing. ... Make Compromises Between You and Your Career.

Why do employers list benefits?

Employers often list their specific benefits on a job listing to be transparent about what exactly they offer employees . Therefore, examining the job listing can help you better understand what benefits you'd receive as an employee. If benefits aren't detailed in a job listing, consider contacting the hiring manager to ask about them.

What are the benefits of working at a company?

Workplace perks, like remote work possibilities, flexible schedules, free food or snacks, fitness memberships and technology stipends, are exciting benefits for many candidates. While not every employer provides things like this, these perks can significantly influence how comfortable and satisfied you are in your role.

Why do employers have waiting periods?

These policies help employers offer health insurance coverage to new employees regularly without having to wait for yearly enrollment dates. In addition, some employers mandate waiting period s to ward off the potential for high employee turnover.

What are the most important things to consider when choosing a new career?

Employee benefits are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a new career. The type of insurance, paid time off and retirement benefits you're offered during the hiring process can greatly influence how satisfied you'll be in your new position. In order to make the most informed decision possible, it's important to ask your potential employer thorough questions to understand what benefits they have to offer. In this article, we outline 10 essential benefits questions to ask during the hiring process and offer tips for finding a job with good employee benefits .

Why do we need workplace perks?

Workplace perks sometimes help cover employment-related costs, like commuting or eating lunch in the office, but other times, they're simply offered to improve your quality of life. In addition, in recent years, some organizations have begun offering remote and flexible work schedules to show that they value their employees' time. These perks often make employees happier and help them perform better in their roles. If certain workplace perks appeal to you, it's a good idea to inquire about these benefits with your potential employer.

What are the benefits of a job?

Some commonly offered job benefits include: Insurance coverage for medical and dental care. Life insurance policies. Disability insurance.

How long do you have to wait to get unemployment benefits?

Typically, the maximum waiting period is 90 days , meaning you might have to wait a full three months on the job before you're able to access your benefits. Comparatively, some employers have established shorter waiting periods, and others may not require a waiting period at all.

What to ask about benefits?

If you’re eager to get additional information, but you’re not sure if it’s appropriate to ask questions about benefits, try asking general questions that may provide the insight you’re looking for. For example, asking, “How would you describe the company’s culture?” could produce insights about schedule flexibility, paid time off (PTO) or incentive packages.

How many employees are required to have health insurance?

If the employer has 50 or more employees, they are required to offer health care plans, but more than 75% of companies offer more than what is just required by law. Depending on the company, these benefits may include dental insurance, vision care and life insurance. Make sure to ask what exactly is offered and who can be covered under your plan.

How much do companies match 401(k)?

Ask how much the company match is and at what percentage. For example, at 4% of your monthly paycheck, the company might match 100% . However, at 5% of your monthly paycheck, they may only match 50% . Ask when that match becomes vested. If you leave the company before you’re fully vested, the company may withhold the match.

How long do you have to wait to enroll in a new health insurance plan?

A company may have a specific enrollment period or need criteria to determine when you are eligible. Some plans have a 30-day or 90-day waiting period .

Do employers pay for health insurance?

In most cases, both the employer and employee contribute to cover your health plan’s premium. For example, if the employer offers a health insurance policy, employees generally pay a portion of the premium each paycheck. With a reimbursement benefit, employees purchase their own insurance and are reimbursed by the employer on their paycheck.

Is there a one size fits all approach to sick time, holidays, or paid time off?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sick time, holidays or paid time off (PTO). Make sure to inquire about the differences, as well as how much total time is allotted. Other questions to ask: Are sick days included in PTO? Are sick days included under short-term disability? Does this office take federal holidays off? What about personal days?

What to do if you are unhappy with the job offer?

If you’re unhappy with what is offered, or feel like you may be able to gain more, you could negotiate. Some companies may be firm on their salary offering, but willing to give you more days off. You won’t know if you don’t ask! Just keep in mind that any outrageous requests towards the end of the hiring process could cause companies to rescind their offer. Just be reasonable when negotiating, if you decide to.

Is it a mistake to ask about vacation days in an interview?

What can be challenging is knowing when to bring them up in the process. Asking about vacation days in your first interview is a definite mistake.

What to do if you don't understand your benefits?

If it seems like many of them don’t understand your benefits, you need to do a better job educating them. How you choose to do this might vary based on your company culture. You might want to try having an in-person educational session during open enrollment, as well as regular short presentations at staff meetings.

How to list benefits in job announcement?

At a minimum, you need to list a general overview of your perks in every job announcement. There is value in simply listing them on your website as well. Create a page that’s all about the reasons your company is a great place to work, and list your benefits there. Lots of job seekers will research great employers in their industry before they even look at job announcements. You want them to find you in their search.

What are the benefits of being an employer?

Employers of all sizes in every industry are beginning to offer great benefits that go far beyond health insurance. From paid parental leave to onsite childcare, tuition reimbursement to retirement savings, today’s employees enjoy a wide variety of perks.

What is written communication about benefits?

Written communication about the benefits you offer is vital to employees’ understanding of their value. Here are a few ideas for regular written benefits communication:

Why is it important for employers to educate their staff on benefits?

Unfortunately, many employees are confused about their employer-provided benefits. And far too many are unwilling to ask questions to help them better understand. That’s why it’s crucial for employers to educate their staff on these valuable benefits.

Why do you need to post signage on your workers comp?

Post signage to remind employees of safety protocols and their connections to your worker’s compensation insurance

Do you read your website before applying for a job?

Anyone who applies for a job with your company will probably read your website first. In fact, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2019 employee benefits survey, most job seekers do extensive research on a company before sending in their resume. One of their top concerns during this research period is ...

What are the benefits of an employer?

Employers provide employees with various discounts, allowances, group rates, and deals to use with their own company or others . These perks are best when applied to goods, services, and experiences that your employees regularly buy. This way, the benefits apply to their lifestyles and help them save money. To start this kind of program, employers may directly contact different vendors or use online employee discount programs.

Why is flexible work important?

A flexible work environment allows employees to decide when and where they work. Flexible scheduling and working from home have become popular benefits after the COVID-19 pandemic caused many companies to adopt remote working policies. Flexible work schedules increase productivity by trusting employees to set a schedule that works for them. Additionally, maintain a positive work environment despite distance with remote employee recognition programs and use drop shipping to get awards directly to honorees’ homes.

What is Salesforce employee assistance?

Salesforce is a large software company that provides its employees with expansive benefits. It offers numerous well-being programs and stock options. Also, its employee assistance program is available to employees and their families. That program includes free counseling sessions, discounted legal services, and more.

What is employee recognition?

Employee recognition award programs provide employees with opportunities to shine. These programs pair tangible reminders of success with added perks like company culture events and achievement-tied prizes. For example, you can celebrate an individual achievement with leadership awards and a VIP parking spot.

What is employee development plan?

Employee development plans provide your employees with a strategy to achieve their goals. Employers provide opportunities for growth like mentorship and workshops. A unique program includes professional and personal goals. This way, you celebrate the whole individual and show that you care about their happiness in and out of the office. To ramp up your program, employee recognition awards help inspire your employees to achieve their goals more quickly with a reward in sight.

How many days of paid sick leave do you get?

It prevents the spread of sickness, maintains productivity, and values affective and speedy recovery. Most employers grant employees five to nine days of paid sick leave each year, after one year of completed service for the company.

Does Campbell's have a 401k?

Campbell’s is a household name for its soups and is also recognized for its robust employee benefits. It offers medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance. From its 401 (k) savings plan to adoption assistance, the company shows that it cares about each employee’s future and family.

When is the right time to ask about benefits?

The right time is generally after you’ve captured the interviewer’s interest by showing them you are a good fit for the job. Focus first on selling yourself and wait for the right opportunity to ask about benefits. Look for strong signs of interest from the interviewer before broaching the topic of salary.

What to use when asking about salary?

If you’re asking about salary, use the word “compensation” rather than “money and ask for a range rather than a specific number. Likewise, if you want to find out about work-life balance, it may be more useful to approach the topic in terms of “office culture.”.

How to get a sense of a company's salary?

Look on sites like Glassdoor and Comparably to get a sense of the company’s salary range and benefit structures. If possible, connect with existing employees on LinkedIn and ask them about the organization’s culture.

How to structure a question in an interview?

Even then, the best way to structure the question is to include a solution as part of of the query. This way, you don’t put the pressure on the employer to figure out how to accommodate your needs; instead you’re proactively offering a reasonable fix, making it easier for the interviewer to say “yes.”

Why do employers hire?

Employers hire because they have problems and as a potential employee, you should focus on how you can solve these problems. At the same time, figuring out if an employer can meet your personal standards and needs for salary and benefits are a key determinant of whether a job is a good fit for you. So how can you ask about salary ...

How to avoid awkward interview questions?

At the very least, make sure you reread the job description and review the company website. It’s possible that this research will give you all the information you need so that you avoid having to ask an awkward interview question altogether!

How to phrase a question?

There’s always more than one way to phrase a question. Style and approach help you get the information you want. Choose your words and phrasing carefully when asking about what an employer will do for you. Let’s dig into this. Sometimes using specific words can make all the difference.