Recently, I sat down with HigherEdJobs Podcast co-hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin to tackle a question that many job seekers might be wondering: "During the interview process, what's the most appropriate and professional way for candidates to ask about an institution's work-life balance culture?"

Why I Prefer "Work-Life Harmony"

I admitted early in the conversation that I wrestle with the term "work-life balance." As I shared on the podcast, "I don't think there is such a thing as work-life balance... personally, I use work-life harmony because there's no such thing as a balance."

Whether we call it balance or harmony, candidates often hesitate to ask directly about it. That is why I encourage focusing on the practices and behaviors that reveal the culture more accurately than a formal statement ever could.

Questions That Reveal Real Expectations

Instead of asking, "What is your work-life balance like?" I recommend asking about routines, rhythms, and support systems.

Some examples I brought up on the episode include:

• "What does a typical week look like during the academic year?" For faculty or student affairs roles, busy periods like midterms or homecoming matter. For finance or operations, summer cycles or fiscal deadlines may shape workload.

• "How does the team handle workload when things get busy?" Candidates should watch the room closely. As I noted, "Look for the nonverbal cues... Are there faces being made? Are there nudges or eyes across the room?"

• "How does leadership model balance for teams?" A specific example suggests leaders are fully engaged in setting expectations. An uncertain answer may point to a different reality.

I also encouraged candidates to ask for real examples because workplace culture "is easier to demonstrate than to describe."

Evaluate the Search Process Itself

One of the strongest indicators of culture is the hiring process. I encouraged candidates to ask themselves:

The hiring process itself often gives candidates the clearest picture of the culture they may be stepping into.

Andy added that candidates should also reflect on their own approach: "You want to be assertive and show you're interested, but you don't want to be aggressive or seem demanding."

Consider Individual Differences

Not everyone defines balance the same way. Some employees find deep joy in immersing themselves in their work, while others center personal or family life. As I said, "We shouldn't assume what everybody wants in terms of work-life balance."

Understanding your own needs, along with the institution's norms, helps determine whether the culture aligns with your definition of harmony.

Ask About Personal Experience

One question I personally like to ask when I'm interviewing for a position is: "What has been your experience at this institution, and how has it evolved since you started?"

Hearing someone reflect on their trajectory reveals a lot more about culture, growth opportunities, and expectations than any policy document.

What Candidates Should Remember

Assessing work-life balance during the interview process is less about asking the question directly and more about gathering evidence. By focusing on real practices, watching how interviewers communicate, and noticing subtle cues throughout the process, you can form a clearer picture of how an institution manages work-life expectations.

As Andy noted during our conversation, if an interviewer struggles to name anything beyond the basics, that signals something very important. "If they say, 'Well, we get holidays off,' and that's their first answer, I think that tells you everything. To me, that's not even a yellow flag. That's a red flag." His reasoning reflects why candidates should listen for depth, and consistency.

Asking targeted questions, and knowing your own definition of work-life harmony can help you determine whether the environment aligns with your needs and values.

As a reminder, the full transcript of every HigherEdJobs Podcast can be found by clicking on "transcript" next to the episode's show notes.

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