Ask for a real week, not just a billable target
Ask how assessments, documentation, supervision, caregiver meetings, and travel fit into a typical week. A target becomes more useful when you understand the work around it. Follow up with: “What happens when a cancellation changes the schedule?”
Make support concrete
Who is available when you need clinical consultation? How often do peers meet? What does onboarding cover in the first month? Ask for examples of how a clinician receives feedback and support, rather than relying on a broad promise of mentorship.
Discuss clinical decision making
Ask how the organization approaches individualized goals, caregiver collaboration, and differences of clinical opinion. Explore how clinicians raise concerns and how decisions are reviewed. These conversations help you understand whether the setting fits the way you want to practice.
Compare the complete opportunity
Put schedule, travel, compensation, benefits, professional development, and clinical responsibilities side by side. Separate confirmed details from open questions. Ask the employer to clarify the important points before you make a decision.
Turn broad promises into specific questions.
“Supportive culture” and “manageable caseload” can mean different things to different people. Ask for an example of how a recent situation was handled. A concrete answer gives you something to compare across opportunities.
| When you hear… | Ask for the detail behind it |
|---|---|
| “A manageable caseload” | How are case complexity, supervision responsibilities, assessments, and caregiver work considered when assignments are made? |
| “Clinical support” | Who would I contact about a difficult clinical question, and what does regular consultation look like? |
| “A flexible schedule” | Which parts of the schedule can I influence? How are cancellations, travel, and changes communicated? |
| “Room to grow” | What does development look like for someone in this role? What experience would support a move into leadership? |
“Could you walk me through a typical week for a BCBA in this role, including the responsibilities outside direct service?”
Compare the answers, then identify your priorities.
Two offers may list similar compensation and still create very different working weeks. Use your notes to compare the actual responsibilities, support, travel, and schedule. Mark each important point as confirmed, still unclear, or something to discuss before accepting.
You do not need every role to offer the same thing. You need a clear view of the trade-offs that matter to you. A focused follow-up conversation is often the most useful next step.
For a broader look at the process, read our five priorities for a BCBA job search.
Talk through what matters in your next role.
You can start a conversation while you’re still exploring. Share your preferred setting, location, and the questions you want answered.