I'm saving as much as I can. The end is nigh.
I don't really understand why this would be the case. From a purely practical standpoint, people loaded up with a family are more likely to stay and perform in a job for income stability.
I guess if a company is looking for people to burn through like firewood this might not be the case, but I think those are the places you want to avoid anyway!
- What are your hobbies?
- What drives you?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Would you be willing to work long hours often?
- Can you work in the USA?
And so on.
There's so many questions that are legal to ask but for which an honest answer would reveal private information.
Can't you just lie about this? It's none of their business.
Or tell white lies -- kids, but "pretty old" or "at college" or whatever.
My last round of interviews was at age 46. Went from being (voluntarily) unemployed to a FAANG job. I had to do the same stuff the 20-somethings do: practiced hackerrank, answered stupid whiteboard dynamic programming questions that have nothing to do with the job, etc. But at no time did I talk about my personal life with anyone involved in hiring.
The other questions only lead to answers that involve your personal life if you choose to talk about your personal life. Job interviews are professional negotiation, not chats with friends. Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years? Why would you mention your family?
Asking if you're willing to put in lots of overtime should be a red flag for a job at any age, and answering it shouldn't involve mentioning your kids.
Can you work in the US? Maybe there's issues where the answer varies based on marital status...
I would mention my family for any professional prediction because it is a guiding factor; in five years, I see myself continuing to be a product lead and hopefully working with my daughters on an independent project of their own.
I work in entertainment software, in British Columbia; overtime is normal, working 40h a week or less is not. The BC NDP stripped tech workers of their basic employment rights, around two decades ago; among those rights removed was any right to overtime compensation.
I can't work in the USA _easily_ and I would _prefer_ not to; I have no interest in raising my kids there. But I've worked from home for five years and so I don't see why I should have to relocate. :P
When I was younger and working in game development, I probably got asked about hobbies. Nowadays I'm generally pretty good at directing conversations like that politely back on track.
As for mentioning something you want to do with your kids in 5 years? In a job interview? I don't understand it but I suppose some people want to talk about their home lives during job interviews.
And thanks for reminding me one of the reasons I left game development. I don't miss having just work/work balance. :-)