When considering jobs in your field some of the most common considerations for accepting an offer will be the salary and the location. But for parents, there is also the added factor of determining whether the job will allow you the flexibility to be there for your kids. Unfortunately, that is one job aspect that applications don’t typically mention.

The Wall Street Journal had a recent article on the subject, discussing the difficulty parents have when this crucial detail is frequently hidden until the interview. Even then, it probably will fall on you to broach the subject in the interview to get the interviewer to speak on things like the duration of parental leave.

To get a fuller picture of the information you want, it might be the case that you have to do some of your own research. This could mean scanning through the company’s website to look for any statements about their employment policies or benefits. Unfortunately, not all businesses will disclose those details publicly.

Another option to consider is to consult with former employees of that company for more information. This step could be good regardless because even if the company tells you one thing, what they do might not align with that statement. So you could reach out to a former employee on LinkedIn to inquire about such matters and see if they have any insight for you.

You also want to be stay alert for clues that could indirectly inform you. For instance, if the application talks about a willingness to go above and beyond for the company and how that could include late nights or weekend work, that is an indicator that they expect your position with them to take priority.

The takeaway is that you need to be prepared to do some extra searching on your own to get answers. Just like the company is probably searching your background, you should be searching theirs to get a more objective picture of what they stand for.

For further tips on how to find a job that will take your family into consideration, read the Wall Street Journal piece here.

__________

Wilmington University, the sponsor of BUCKSCO.Today’s Career Corner, is a private, open-access institution that serves the unique needs of more than 22,000 busy adults seeking advancement through higher education.

The most affordable private university in the Delaware Valley, WilmU is committed to the idea that finishing an undergraduate degree or obtaining a Master’s degree can be both affordable and accessible.

The University offers more than 200 accredited and career-relevant degree and certificate programs in flexible online and hybrid formats designed to accommodate any adult’s demanding career, family, and personal schedules.

Learn more about WilmU here or register to attend one of the school’s frequent webinars for an overview of programs, flexible scheduling options, affordable tuition, the admissions process, and more.

WilmU Works.