Longer hours should be paid for

Most employers drop a hint or two if a job requires working odd hours or irregular shifts. Whether a hopeful job candidate dwells on this point or not is a different matter.

During the negotiations, money, perks, title and job responsibilities are often higher on the agenda while working hours seem like a detail that can be discussed at the end. I totally disagree. Time equals money and if the job requires long hours or extra shifts, so it should pay for it.

Additionally, this one detail in your daily life can become a major inconvenience if your expectations don't match the set schedule. It really depends on which stage you are in your life and how flexible you are in terms of family commitments and obligations.

Either way, it is always good to know what you're getting yourself into prior to making a decision. If an employer is hinting for instance at occasional weekend assignments, you might be entitled to ask to have this more quantified and inquire about the compensation. No one should hold your question against you. If it matters to the employer then you need to be sure that you can meet this requirement.

Here are a few tips on how to make sure a new job will fit into your life rather than taking over your whole life.

Nature of the job

You know your industry regardless to what is advertised and said. If you're taking up a doctor, helpdesk, or a reporter's job, for example, you know that someone has to be there 24/7. Inquire about the schedule and how the evenings/nights and weekends are covered. Most companies would compensate you accordingly either by offering a generous package to start with, or overtime for the weekends and additional hours. Money is not everything in this equation, if you feel that the employer is seriously short-staffed and you will end up with a well-paid job but at the cost of your personal life, you might need to weigh your options ahead of accepting the job.

Your approach

In the first weeks of any new job, people are often carried away with enthusiasm and driven to prove how they are dedicated, reliable and hardworking. One way is to over-achieve by working extra hours and taking work home. While making a good impression is a must, you need to watch not setting a rule that you are available around the clock for the job. It is much easier and more acceptable when you state and act on your rules early in any job rather than trying to modify or change them later. Besides if you're always working late or having to take work home, it might be interpreted in a negative way as you seem to be a slacker or slower than your co-workers.

Emergency is not a daily status

There are times in any job when everyone has to pull together to get something done. These are the situations when you spend the holidays with your co-workers and eat dinner at your desk. However, this cannot be a daily situation. Any employer who expects staff to sacrifice their lives on a daily basis will find it hard to retain people. So it might be a point to look at if a turnover has been exceptionally high.

Regular odd shift

If you spot a pattern that requires you to work during weekends or evenings, you need to either address the cause or try to shift your hours to work regularly during this time and take time off on another day. The more predictable the situation the easier it is to deal with it. Try to share the burden and don't hesitate to ask for assistance if you think the extra hours are pushing you way out of your comfort zone.

Disconnect

The line between on and off work is becoming more blurry every day. Smart phones often make us more available than we actually plan. However it is up to make our own rules on when to check and reply to e-mails and text messages that land after working hours. While you might need to be available online for a critical project or an important client, remember it is your call to decide when the exceptional case is over and you can disconnect from your professional life.

On duty

Rania Oteify, a former Business Features Editor at Gulf News, is a freelance journalist based in Salt Lake City, Utah.