what to ask about benefits in an interview

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

Should you ask about benefits during an interview?

Asking about benefits during the interview process can be tricky — it’s important to have a solid understanding of the benefits package you’ll be receiving so you know whether the position is right for you, but you don’t want to risk seeming too eager by asking too soon.

What should I ask for in a job interview?

Throughout interviews and phone screens the company has had the chance to better understand your qualifications before making a decision. Now is your chance to evaluate them, and the package they are offering in return. It’s also not uncommon at this stage to ask for a complete breakdown of the benefits package to be sent over.

What questions do they ask in a benefit specialist interview?

The interviewer may ask a question like this one to evaluate how you take action to promote diversity and cultural awareness through your actions as a benefit specialist. Use examples from your experience to highlight your attention to detail, communication skills and ability to make decisions.

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 do you talk about benefits in an interview?

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 pay and benefits in an interview?

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 do you answer expected benefits?

How to answer "What are your total compensation expectations?"Research the industry and geographic area. ... Emphasize your flexibility. ... State a range rather than a fixed amount. ... Consider offering high compensation. ... Be honest. ... Focus on why you expect the amount. ... Prepare for price negotiation.

What are your desired benefits?

Top benefits among job seekers are health care, wellness, retirement, and flexible schedules. Other desired benefits include generous leave policies, career guidance, travel expense compensation, and relocation assistance.

Is it OK to ask about benefits in an interview?

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.

What are good questions to ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interviewWhat do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ... What do you find most challenging about working for this organisation? ... How would you describe your organisation's culture? ... Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?More items...

What are examples of employee benefits?

Examples of benefits within a package may include:Medical insurance.Dental and vision coverage.Profit-sharing.Stock options.Retirement benefits.Wellness benefits such as reimbursement for gym memberships or race registrations, weight loss programs, and smoking cessation.More items...•

Can you ask about health insurance in an interview?

Health. If you are a full-time employee, your company will most likely provide you with some kind of health insurance. In some cases, while working contract positions for a staffing agency such as iMPact, you may also qualify for health insurance. Ask about how much is covered and about the employee premium accounts.

What should I ask for in a job offer?

15 Questions To Ask Before Accepting A Job offer (2022)Is the company stable with a good reputation? ... What is the company culture like? ... What does the benefits package look like? ... Am I comfortable with the pay offered? ... Does the company have a bonus plan? ... Does the position offer room for advancement?More items...•

What job 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 three benefits to employees?

The most common benefits are medical, disability, and life insurance; retirement benefits; paid time off; and fringe benefits. Benefits can be quite valuable.

What questions do employees 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...

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 are some examples of employer sponsored benefits?

For example, if you have a child, spouse or another dependent, you'll want to pay attention to what benefits your potential employer might offer them as a part of your package.

What are the most important factors 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, ...

Is an employer's salary considered an employee benefit?

Therefore, anything your employer offers you besides your salary or regular pay is considered an employee benefit. Since employer-sponsored benefits can improve an employee's quality of life and level of job satisfaction, they're an important part of the offer and negotiation process. Not only do great benefits often draw in competitive candidates, ...

Do employers have a waiting period for health insurance?

Many employers have established waiting periods for employees before they can start to receive benefits. These policies help employers offer health insurance coverage to new employees regularly without having to wait for yearly enrollment dates.

Do employers cover dental insurance?

Inquiring about health insurance costs is one of the most important things to do during the offer process. Some employers fully cover medical and dental insurance costs for their employees, while others may choose to deduct partial premium payments from your paycheck.

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.”.

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.

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 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:

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 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 .

There is a time and place

For your first and second interview, chances are that you’re going to hear the stock phrases “full benefits,” or “competitive benefits and salary .” Don’t waste your time trying to break those down into concrete absolutes.

Weigh your options

Some companies are going to offer better benefits than others. Make sure that you are fully aware of what your prospective employer is offering and whether or not it fits into your life.

Negotiate if possible

The keywords here are “if possible.” If you’re relatively green in the job market and this is your first full-time job, you may not have as much negotiating power as, say, a seasoned vet with a performance-proven track record. Still, it can never hurt to try to bargain for things that you need.

Not all companies will offer benefits

It’s the last thing to remember and it’s as simple as it sounds, some companies simply will not offer compensation other than salary. However, if you know what you’re worth and you know what you require, you will eventually find an employer that offers the benefits that are right for you.

When to Ask About Benefits During the Hiring Process

When you’re considering a job, there are many different factors in play. Most people think of the salary first and foremost, but benefits can be equally important. 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.

Timing is Everything

Early on in the process, a good rule is to not bring up benefits unless the company does first. For example, many recruiters will ask about specifics, knowing what the company offers and trying to pair it up with a candidate looking for the same thing. Some companies won’t discuss benefits at all.

Negotiation & Questions

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.

What are the questions asked in an interview?

The following in-depth questions help the interviewer gain insight into how you perform on the job and what you do to ensure success: 1 What kind of benefits do you feel interns should have in an organization? 2 How would you determine which employee benefits to expand or eliminate? 3 How do you research and propose new benefits policies? 4 What kind of benefits would you recommend to our company for remote employees? 5 Do you have experience working with human resources management systems? 6 What limitations do you feel a work-from-home benefits policy should encompass to ensure employee productivity? 7 How do you ensure employee records are accurate and up-to-date? 8 What's your approach to educating employees on their health insurance benefits? 9 What do you do to ensure employees use their health and personal leave benefits? 10 How do you calculate and keep track of the costs for company benefits?

What is a benefits specialist?

A benefits specialist is responsible for coordinating, developing and recommending employee benefits packages to businesses and organizations. They help research and analyze the best options that help companies save on costs while providing employees with adequate coverage for health, personal leave and retirement planning.