When answering this question, you want to be honest about your availability, but also emphasize that you are flexible. Your flexibility will be an asset when the company is deciding who to hire.
What the Interviewer Wants to Know
Especially for jobs that require a non-traditional schedule, employers look for applicants that will have the availability they need. The interviewer will want to know what days and hours you are available to work and how flexible you are around those days and hours. The way you answer this question will vary slightly depending on whether you are applying for a full-time job, a part-time position, or a shift job. If you are applying for a shift job or a part-time job, an employer might ask this question because they want to see if you would be willing to work less popular days and hours (like nights and weekends). If you are applying for a full-time job, the employer might want to know if you are willing to work hours and days outside of a typical workweek.
How To Answer Interview Questions About Your Availability
When you answer interview questions about your work availability, be honest about any commitments that are not flexible. For example, if you must take your children to work in the morning, or if you cannot work evenings because you take a night class, say so. Do not promise you will be available if you know you will be unavailable. If you are applying for a full-time job, you want to emphasize that you are willing and able to put in a full workweek and that you can occasionally work other hours as needed. If you are applying for a part-time job, or a shift job, you will want to emphasize your flexibility even more. If there are certain days or hours you simply cannot work, say so. However, emphasize that you are open and flexible about any other days or hours the employer may need. It will show the employer that you will make your work a priority.
Examples of the Best Answers
If you are asked questions about your work availability by an interviewer, these sample answers can help you develop your own response. Why It Works: This is an appropriate answer for a full-time, salaried position if similar positions in similar companies usually require not only a regular workweek but also overtime hours. This answer would please the interviewer if there was concern about the applicant’s dedication to the job or ability or desire to work longer hours. Why It Works: This answer would work for either a full-time salaried or hourly job if you want to make it clear to the interviewer that you have a family and want to have some sort of work/life balance. It’s always best to make it clear up front what your limitations are regarding work availability. Why It Works: This is an appropriate answer for either part-time or shift work. It clearly states the hours that you are available to work so there would be no misunderstandings. Why It Works: You could use this answer, or something similar, with full-time, part-time, or shift work. Be aware that you are signaling to the interviewer that you are ready and willing to work whenever you are needed. Why it Works: This is a clear, succinct answer appropriate for shift work.
Tips for Giving the Best Response
Research the company. Before your interview, research the company. Find out what the work availability requirements are for the employees who work similar jobs to the one you are applying for. You can use Glassdoor and LinkedIn to research many companies. Research the company culture. Just because the company only requires a certain number of hours per week doesn’t mean that the employees only work that number of hours. Be honest. It’s important that you are honest about your work availability, but not to the point of being abrasive or abrupt. If you are asked about the hours you can work, answer the question directly and calmly. Be brief. If you have prepared answers to frequently asked interview questions, you should be able to answer a question about your work availability briefly and succinctly.
What Not To Say
Don’t change your mind. If the interviewer says something about work hours that you are not prepared for, don’t get visibly nervous or change your mind about the hours you already know you can and cannot work. It’s important that you are absolutely honest with the interviewer about this issue. Don’t try to negotiate. Don’t go to the job interview thinking that it’s possible you can negotiate working hours that are already set with the interviewer. You will waste both your time.
Possible Follow-Up Questions
Since you will be doing shift work, how do you handle your family life requirements? Best Answers Would you be interested in this part-time job if, at some point in the future, it turned into full-time? Best Answers
