how to ask employer about benefits

How to ask about benefits & work-life balance

• Bring it up softly. This is, admittedly, a broad question but the interviewer’s response will tell you a lot about the...
• Ask a more granular question to gain an understanding of schedule. This is a bit more pointed than the previous prompt,...
• Ask the interviewer. Get the interviewer talking about their own experience in the...

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a prospective employer?

What are the questions employers should ask? 1. What was the principal reason you decided ... and “What was your relationships like with co-workers?” 2. What did you like best about your role here? “This question highlights what’s working well ...

What questions do you ask an employer?

Tenant Employer Reference Questions:

• Can I speak with the supervisor?
• Can I have your name please (HR)
• Is this the current employer?
• Is the applicant full-time or part-time?
• What is the hire date?
• What is the applicant’s position there?
• What is his hourly or annual salary?
• How do you prefer I send you the signed rental application?
• Do I need to send that to attention to anyone?

More items...

What are good questions to ask employees?

• Get vaccinated.
• Wear a mask and/or a face shield at work.
• Whenever possible, maintain a safe distance from co-workers.
• Stay home if you’re not feeling well.

What questions should you ask before accepting a job?

• Compensation - work out the minimum level of income you need to meet your financial obligations. This bottom line is the lowest compensation amount you can accept. ...
• Benefits - what are the essential benefits your require? ...
• Working Conditions - what hours are you able to work? ...

When should you ask a potential employer 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.

How do I ask my company 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...•

Is it OK to ask about benefits in an interview?

Anything Related to Salary or Benefits 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 talk to my boss about benefits?

If it's common, share that information and talk about how it's benefited your industry. If it's rare, make a list of reasons why remote work would be helpful for your particular business. It's OK to talk about how it would help you personally, but try to relate your arguments back to the work itself.

How do I ask a question 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...

What benefits should I ask for?

Consider hiring bonuses, vacation time, retirement plans, sick leave, insurance, and other company benefits as open for negotiation as well. If you are planning to go back to school, tuition reimbursement may be just as important as health insurance.

What are 5 things you should never say in a job interview?

You'll make sure that your awesome abilities and accomplishments—not a totally avoidable faux pas—will be what your interviewer remembers.“So, Tell Me What You Do Around Here” ... “Ugh, My Last Company…” ... “I Didn't Get Along With My Boss” ... 4. “ ... “I'll Do Whatever” ... “I Know I Don't Have Much Experience, But...”More items...

Is it bad to ask about benefits?

“What's your benefits package?” This question is fair game—but only after you receive the job offer. “Employers want to hire people who are passionate about the job, the work and the organization,” Templin explains. “When questions about benefits are asked too early, you're not giving off that perception.”

When should you talk about benefits?

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 I ask for more benefits?

How to ask for more benefits and sweeten a job offerKnow the going rate. ... Ask for flexibility. ... Take advantage of growth opportunities. ... Negotiate for the title you deserve. ... Ask for more vacation time.

How do you ask for benefits in email?

I'm thrilled at the prospect of working with such a promising team. 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.

How do you negotiate benefits?

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.

When to ask about benefits?

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. Likewise, if the potential employer introduces the topic of benefits, that’s a good indication that it’s appropriate to ask clarifying questions to get more information ...

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 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 .

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 can you have health insurance after leaving a job?

Employer-provided insurance plans can have waiting periods of up to 90 days. 4  So, if you're leaving one job for another, you may need interim coverage. If you’re leaving a covered employer, you can opt to continue your health care coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

Is a salary enough to pay for an employee benefit plan?

A great salary isn't always going to be enough to compensate for an employee benefit plan that doesn't offer what you need. 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 ...

Why is it important to think beyond salary?

After all, benefits can have significant financial value, boost your quality of life and make your career more satisfying.

What form do nonprofits fill out?

To learn the truth about a company's financial situation, check its public filings; nonprofits must fill out tax Form 990, while public companies file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Did Francesca Gino ask for a signing bonus?

But he hadn't asked for a signing bonus.

Did Gino ask for a bonus?

But he hadn't asked for a signing bonus. Now, he told Gino, he regretted that career mistake, especially since a bonus could help defray the cost of the loan he had taken out to pay for his business degree. The professor urged the student to go back to the firm and request the benefit, which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars.

Do managers give extra perks?

Managers are unlikely to give extra perks unless you make a compelling case for how they also serve company interests. "If you can map your request to the goals and needs of the organization, they're going to see the benefit of your request," Gates says.

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.”.

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 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.

Can you get information without coming across as overly demanding?

You can get the information you need without coming across as overly-demanding or dismissive of the company’s needs. It’s definitely a delicate situation, but with the right strategy you can make a great impression and get the answers you want.

Can you march into an interview and ask for vacation time?

You can’t simply march into the interview and demand to know how much money and vacation time you’ll get. Instead, you need to approach these topics with diplomacy and finesse. Here are few things for you to do to set up tactful, effective questions about salary or benefits:

What does your job do for you?

Together with our data genius friends at The Harris Poll, we recently surveyed thousands of workers and hiring managers about how they are rolling with the punches of today’s topsy-turvy working world. The full breakdown of data is sure to raise your eyebrows, but for now, let’s focus on a few specific points:

What workers want

The workers who participated in our survey identified five key perks they look for in a job:

How to ask about work-from home and remote work opportunities

Just because this is the number one priority for so many workers doesn’t mean everyone can achieve it. Truck drivers can’t exactly work from home, and we don’t even want to know what remote work would look like for a chef.

How to talk about parental leave

If you’ve made it far enough into the interview process that you can smell a job offer cooking, or if you’re already established at work and have a rapport with your manager or HR team, it’s time to talk about employee benefits -- and paid parental or caretaker leave in particular.

What about salary and pay?

Don’t worry, we didn’t forget to factor your paycheck into all of this. Avoiding high turnover costs might encourage your (next) employer to offer better wages as well. As for your fellow workers, here’s what they’re thinking:

What else you should know

Does all this talk about employee accommodations have you wondering how to approach work-life balance? We’ve outlined 10 ways to tilt the scale in your favor.

What to ask your employer for commuting?

If you have a long commute, you can ask your employer to assist with your commuting costs. For example, you can ask for toll, parking, gas or mileage reimbursement if you drive. If your position involves a lot of travel, a company car might be something you can request.

Why are benefits important?

Benefits are important because they answer personal needs and therefore increase your job satisfaction. They can improve your mood and motivation. You might find your position more gratifying when, for instance, your schedule is in harmony with your lifestyle or when you receive incentives that motivate you.

What is the difference between a retirement plan and a pension plan?

The difference between a retirement plan and a pension plan is that the employee pays for the retirement plan. In contrast, it is the employer who subsidizes the pension plan. You can ask your employer what type of plan they provide and how much they will contribute. The most common retirement plan is the 401 (k).

How long does an interim health insurance plan last?

For example, you should know when your plan takes effect so that you can subscribe to an interim plan during the waiting period that can last up to 90 days.

What are some examples of health benefits?

Some companies offer these benefits to encourage you to get better health habits. Another example of a health benefit is a monetary bonus to take a flu shot.

When to assess a job offer in 2021?

February 25, 2021. When you assess a job offer, it is essential to review the new hire package in its entirety. It often comes with many other perks than the salary. A good understanding of all the possibilities can help you pick a compensation plan that suits you and your family.

Can you ask for a relocation bonus?

You can also ask for a relocation bonus to help cover relocation expenses. If they don't offer relocation bonuses, you may ask if they propose corporate housing or if they can contribute to your monthly rent.