Do you mix work with home?

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I just interviewed for a position at work. The job would mean more money but more problems in finding child care. Anyway, one of the questions asked is "Do you bring home to work or do you leave home home and work work." My answer was I try not to bring home to work but sometimes I will ask co-workers for solutions to problems I am having or some as I see as friends We will talk about things that are going on. I think that even though you leave one door and go through another you are still the same person and you can't stop being one to be another. I believe that's where most people get there ulcers and health problems. If it doesn't interfere with your work performance why should it be a problem.

My question is what does everyone else think on this subject? Any advice you can give me would be great. Thanks.

-- Melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002

Answers

I think they get carried away on job interview questions. Many of them have nothing to do with the job and are asked to analyze you. You really have to be careful how you answer them. I've been on both sides of this applying for jobs and doing hiring for a company I used to work for in the early 90s.

If asked that question, I wouldn't have said I talk to co-workers about non work related issues. I would have said when I'm at work, my focus is on my job 100%. I wouldn't mention talking of any problems I was having either. I wouldn't bring up any mention of friends at work either. Those kinds of things send up a red flag for the person doing the hiring. They will probably think those things would affect your job performance whether they do or not. Most employers don't want your personal life to be brought to the job. Most employers frown on employees chit-chatting about personal issues at work.

I'm not saying you should be dishonest. Just don't offer any more information on that stuff than you really need to. Put yourself in the employers shoes before you give an answer. Remember you're competing with others to get hired too.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002.


Well that is an interesting question, one could say you could be praised for your honesty (anyone else agree?); however, corporate culture is slowly changing and companies are realizing that they have to be more responsive to home/work issues. Hence the daycare centers on site, offerings of counseling for drug or alcohol addiction, making concessions to certain religious holidays, etc. I do not think that I would have answered the question quite like you did, but rather played up my strengths learned on the job at home and how they transfer over to the corporate world. Example: Same question: Answer: I feel that some of my greatest strengths come from the combination of skills that I have resulting from my home life, such as my ability to organize and get things done on time like the time I organized my church's flea market which raised XX dollars for the church. Another skill which would benefit your bottom line is my purchasing ability, which has saved our family thousands of dollars in expenses. I am a savvy shopper and know how to negotiate to get the best prices whether on farm equipment, furniture, etc.. a skill which can help reduce your expenditures. So in answer to your question, I believe that the work/home relationship should be a part of my life no matter where I am as one benefits the other. However, I assure you that I will not take unnecessary time off nor place unnecessary burdens on my associates due to attend to family functions.

You have succintly pointed out the benefits of a certain skill set which is transferrable to corporate life, and have reassured the interviewer that you will not take UNnecessary time off (you did not lie and say you would take no time off)to attend to family matters.

I'd say that is a win=win situation and if you don't get the job because of his concern that you have a family - then you didn't need the job anyway. Most corps are concerned that single employees will get dumped on by those who are married w/children. Some marrieds/children do take advantage of other colleagues by being the one that always has to leave work to take Jr. to soccer, pick Jr. up at school, take Jr. to the doctor, dentist, babysitter problems, etc. meanwhile poor single person w/o kid is stuck covering for them. Just turn the question into something positive for the company and you'll probably be ok. And to be honest - there are many questions which are illegal to ask a potential employee, but if you don't answer them you probably won't get the job. I even had one employer ask me where I attended church or did I attend church? Very illegal, but I answered and got the job. Good luck!

-- Cindy (Colawson@mindspring.com), April 11, 2002.


Gosh I'm getting too old and it's a good thing I'm never going to work again because I sure would have been forced by my personality to reply with "Why do you ask?".....LOL...as far as I'm concerned it's none of their business..sort of like asking me if I wear cotton or synthetic undies to work..too personal...it is none of an employers' business what I do at home or if things at home impact my job..as a matter of fact in an interview, it's illegal to broach that subject at all....ah, I do love my life in the woods so much!

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), April 11, 2002.

It's getting so common it seems to ask these offbeat questions on interviews. An example on one I've had asked and this was for an entry level production type job in an electronics manufacturing plant;

You're on an open highway out in the country. It's a beautiful day out. You're the only vehicle on the highway. The speed limit is 55mph. How fast are you driving?

I have no idea what the expected answer is. I answered with right around 55mph because I've gotten enough speeding tickets in my lifetime. I decided after the interview it probably wasn't the environment I wanted to be working in and got a job at a place less uptight.

Some employers give a written personality quiz. Lots of questions. Some of the questions are fairly invasive. I can see their point to some degree but I really think they go too far with it.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002.


Yes Cindy I agree with what you said about honesty. Those questions really put a person in a bind. You don't want to be dishonest but you don't want to say the wrong thing either. Quite a position they put you in, as if a job interview itself isn't enough pressure without crazy questions lol.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 11, 2002.


I think the correct response to invasive or innappropriate questions is, "What an interesting question, why do you ask?"

I've been on both sides of the job interview and I would never ask or answer such a question, but as an employer, I did try to make it clear about how little of their home life or night life would be allowed on the job.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.com), April 11, 2002.


That sounds like good advice Laura. If I ever run into that again, I'm going to use your response. For all I know, maybe that's the one they're looking for... ; )

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

Thanks guys. The problem I am having is that the guy who interviewed me, we sit around and talk about home life. His wife kids, the whole lot. I asked him this morning what my chance were and if I made a fool of myself. He said he would let me know today and that I had it harder than any of the others because I know him. He also informed me that I am up against some stiff competition people with the experience they are looking for. So we'll see. I told him that I do have that experience and would do the job they were asking me to do. The way I see it is I will still be sitting in this chair Monday either way. Thanks again everyone.

-- Melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.

I've been following this thread with interest as my dh has done a lot of hiring over his lifetime. I know he is very careful to stay away from any personal type questions during an interview, those that have to do with race, sex, religion, age, marital status, etc. I also know that he sees his employees as PEOPLE, not numbers, and personal conversations are not at all frowned upon at work, so long as employees are not gossiping about others, or talking instead of working. Conversations about home life, personal problems, etc are not a problem so long as job performance doesn't suffer. In fact, his employees frequently come to him with personal problems. So I was curious and I asked his perspective on why this employer might have asked such a strange question.

His take on this question was that it's possible the employer was concerned about privacy issues. My dh works in the medical field, and privacy is a BIG issue. He cannot come home and tell me he saw Jane or John Doe today, much less what he saw them for. We live in a small town and a large portion of the population is in his office on a daily basis. Obviously, he cannot have an employee who goes home and discusses everyone's business. What is said or done by a patient is absolutely confidential. I have personally witnessed employees from other medical clinics in this town blabbing to each other about this or that patient, what the patient seen for, maybe he doesn't pay his bills, is on welfare, etc. Maybe they are discussing this in a crowded waiting room, over lunch at a restaurant, or at a neighborhood picnic. This is completely intolerable in the medical profession, and should be in any other business as well.

I have a grown stepson with serious medical problems, and had the experience of listening to a grocery clerk (who knows almost nothing of the situation) discuss him, his condition, etc., at a crowded checkstand. 99% of what she said was grossly exaggerated or untrue, as well as being personal. She was so loud I heard every word from the back aisle of the store...as did every other customer in the store. :( I did complain to the manager and although the clerk was disciplined, she continued to discuss everyones' personal business and eventually lost her job.

In addition to the issue of personal privacy, my dh also commented that nowadays company sabotage is a big problem! In short, he cannot afford to hire anyone who cannot keep their mouth closed about company business. I don't know what type of work or position Melinda was applying for, but it's possible these were some concerns that the prospective employer had.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@nospam.com), April 12, 2002.


Let me tell you a little about what I do. I am a receptionist and do basically next to nothing all day. We are in the process of settling into a new administration building and most people are busy trying to get exhibits moved in to the museum and other tasks, me however if the phone doesn't ring, I have nothing to do. Therefore, When people come to say hello and talk for a few minutes we usually talk about what's going on in our lives and everyday things. I don't have very much work to talk about because basically I answer phones which is confidential schedule school tours, and greet guests that come in. The position I applied for is working with the public, more answering phones, scheduling tours and selling tickets. Basically my job description now. Just more money. Maybe I do talk a little too much about myself, but it's mostly about the kids or what I am doing this weekend. I have only tell a select few about the extremely personal stuff. Mostly my boss who needs to know why I am missing work or a couple of people that I hold in confidence.

I believe myself to be trustworthy and do my best to keep my mouth shut around the office. I know who the blabbermouths are and who to watch out for. Anything that I feel is important I take it to my boss and let him handle it.

Thanks for listening everyone. Your wisdom is much appreciated

-- Melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), April 12, 2002.



Hmmm. Well, if that's your job, then I think that was a very weird question for your employer to ask! Unless you were the town blabbermouth, I don't see what harm talking about "home" (kids & stuff) could possibly do in a position of this sort. So now I haven't a clue as to why you should be asked this.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@nospam.com), April 12, 2002.

Well, I did not get the job. Oh well, the way things are I am probably better off. He persisted to give me the run down on every little reason why I didn't get it and said I would be better off staying in the position I am in now. I think it's a bunch of junk. Glad it's over though. Thanks everybody.

-- Melinda (speciallady104@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002.

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