How to Answer Interview Questions About Availability

How to Answer Interview Questions About AvailabilityHow to Answer Interview Questions About AvailabilityOne question you might be asked during a job interview is, What days/hours are you available to work? Employers often ask this because they want to know how flexible you are. When answering this question, you want to be honest about your availability, but also emphasize that you are flexible, within reason. What the Interviewer Really Wants to Know The interviewer wants 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 varies slightly whether you are applying for a full-time job, a part-time or a shift job. 030 3 Ways Answer Questions on Availability 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 work occasional 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 they may need. It will show the employer that you will m ake your work a priority. Examples of the Best Answers If you are asked questions about your work availability by an interviewer, these sample answers might help you develop your own response. I expected, when I applied for this job, that it would require long hours. I knew it was full-time and then some. I realize that it is a salaried position and overtime is included in my salary. I enjoy my work and usually take work home with me anyway, so long hours dont bother me. Im used to that in my current position. ExpandWhy 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 applicants dedication to the job or ability or desire to work longer hours. I am available to work Monday through Friday, and I am very flexible about the start and end times on those days. Im willing to make o ccasional additional hours work with my schedule. I really value my weekend time with my family. Im more than willing to go above and beyond during the standard work week. ExpandWhy 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. Its always best to make it clear up front what your limitations are regarding work availability. Im available during school hours while my children are at school, 9 am - 3 pm, Monday through Friday. I am also available most weekends, especially during the day. Note A prospective employer is not legally allowed to ask whether or not you have children and youre not required to volunteer this information. ExpandWhy 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. Im flexible and available j ust about any time you need me to work. I am simply looking forward to joining the team and helping whenever I am most needed. ExpandWhy It Works You could use this answer, or something similar, with full-time, part-time, or shift work. Be aware that you are signaling the interviewer that you are ready and willing to work whenever you are needed. My schedule is flexible. I can take almost any shift you need me to take. ExpandWhy it Works This is a clear, succinct answer appropriate for shift work. Tips for Giving the Best Answer 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 the website LinkedIn to research many companies. Research the company culture. Just because the company only requires a certain number of hours per week doesnt mean that the employees only work that number of hours per week. Be honest. Its important tha t 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 Dont change your nind. If the interviewer says something about work hours that you are not prepared for, dont get visibly nervous or change your mind about the hours you already know you can and cannot work. Its important that you are absolutely honest with the interviewer about this issue. Dont try to negotiate. Dont go to the job interview thinking that its 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 sleep, health, and family life requirements? Best A nswersWould you be interested in this part-time job if, at some point in the future, it turned into full-time? Best Answers Key Takeaways Prepare for this question about work availability in advance. Determine what hours you can and cannot work and stick to those hours when talking with the interviewer.Always be honest about your work availability when talking with the interviewer. If you say you can work anytime and you are hired under that assumption, you must be prepared to follow through.Research the company and the company culture. Find out the hours someone in the position you are interviewing for normally works and how that compares with the hours on the job description.