Why Gen Zers are asking about work-life balance during job interviews

Gen Z isn't scared to ask about work-life balance at work.

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• Gen Zers are prioritizing jobs where they can make a difference without burning themselves out.
• Some ask about a firm's work-life balance during interviews, even if the question is risky.
• They shared how they broach the subject without feeding into the stereotype that they're lazy.

If you're like me, you're navigating your first job, but torn between imitating one of the career-savvy characters you idolized growing up and adhering to a commitment to work-life balance that feels as much a part of Gen Z as TikTok.

Over the past couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic opened our eyes to a different way of working. And many Gen Zers — myself included — have prioritized work-life balance.

"Especially over the pandemic and shutdowns, Gen Z were faced with a reckoning of their future and their mental health," said Alexandria Ang, a 22-year-old journalist. "It taught many of us how to prioritize the aspects of our life that will lead to what we deem as a fulfilling life."

As the latest wave of young professionals enter the workforce, many Gen Zers want careers where they have the ability to make a difference at work without burning themselves out.

Gen Zers want to work for bosses who understand the importance of taking a trip with family or requesting a day off when needed.

To find the right match, some in Gen Z ask hiring managers in interviews whether the company encourages work-life balance.

Five Gen Zers shared how they're broaching work-life balance without risking their candidacy or feeding into the stereotype that they're lazy. Several — who came from industries such as tech sales, philanthropy, and media — said that questioning these norms allows them to protect their well-being.

Fighting the 'lazy' stereotype

Several Gen Zers told Insider it's difficult to advocate for themselves without feeling like they're disqualifying themselves for the role or seeming "lazy" to managers.

"The handful of times I have asked the question straight up, I've had hiring managers go on tangents about how they really want someone who can work hard and give their all," said Jorge Alvarez, a 24-year-old entrepreneur looking for a role in philanthropy or social impact. Alvarez added that the conversations could often "feel like a condescending take on this idea that Gen Z is 'lazy' simply because we want work-life balance."

Katie Lardie, a 24-year-old civil engineer working in New York, said that while it's nerve-racking to ask those questions during interviews, it's worth it to be honest about her values by inquiring about work-life balance. 

"I had to remind myself that it's not lazy to work the hours you were hired to work — no more, no less," she said, nodding to "quiet quitting," a term that gained traction last year describing workers of all generations declining to do extra (often unpaid) work.

"Asking those types of questions is always scary when you are new to the workforce," Lardie said, adding that her interviewers were millennials. "Had the three gentlemen who interviewed me been from the boomer generation, maybe even Gen X, I don't know if I would have asked those questions."

Stacy Kim, a 20-year-old student working in finance and banking, isn't afraid to ask the questions. She's inquired about balance and workplace culture multiple times, she said. Most of the time, hiring managers' responses have shown that the company is beginning to prioritize work-life balance. But other times, interviewers have told Kim that work-life balance is not a company-wide discussion, she said. 

"It is essential to have the difficult conversations early on so that both sides are able to confirm a good match and fit," Kim said.

Gen Z thinks about how and when to ask about work-life balance

Knowing that some older hiring managers might be thrown off by the work-life balance question, some Gen Z job seekers say they're being strategic about how they ask so they don't burn bridges.

For example, Lardie typically asks questions like "What would my day-to-day look like?" or "How often would you say you work more than 40 hours a week?"

Kaylee Lamarche, a 23-year-old student in public health, asks interviewers about their own experiences working in the company, she said. 

"I'll ask if the work structure supports their ability to decompress, especially since the line of work I'm interested in can be very intense and involved, both emotionally and labor-wise," Lamarche said. "I'll ask what systems are in place within the organization to encourage good work-life balance."

Ang asks questions about the work environment, including "How does your company ensure that staff is prioritizing their wellness?" and "What does the work environment look like in and outside of the office?"

These more subtle questions can help candidates determine whether the company will be a good fit.

"Gen Z is willing to have the difficult but essential conversations before they commit to a job," Kim said. "They want to make sure that their values are aligned with the company and their time outside of the workplace is respected."

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