Letting a potential employer know what days and hours you are available to work can help them understand how your schedule can accommodate their needs. Whatever the job in question may be, knowing how to communicate your available working hours will have a direct impact on your success. Schedule management is a valuable skill, but it takes preparation. In this article, we discuss why employers need to know your available days and hours and give examples of how to answer this particular interview question.
How Soon Are You Available for this job? Interview Question
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 make your work a priority.
3 Ways Answer Questions on Availability
What the Interviewer 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 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.
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.
Example Answer #1
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 don’t bother me. I’m used to that in my current position.
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.
Example Answer #2
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 occasional 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 workweek.
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.
Example Answer #3
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.
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.
Example Answer #4
Im flexible and available just about any time you need me to work. I am simply looking forward to joining the team and helping whenever I am most needed.
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 the interviewer that you are ready and willing to work whenever you are needed.
Example Answer #5
My schedule is flexible. I can take almost any shift you need me to take.
Why it Works: This is a clear, succinct answer appropriate for shift work.
What Not to Say
How to Answer Interview Questions About What Hours You Are Available
When answering this question, be honest about your schedule, but also emphasize your flexibility. You want to show that you are willing to fill the hours they need and that you can be a team player.
If you are interviewing for a part-time job, temporary position, or shift work, think carefully about your schedule beforehand. Make note of particular days or shifts you know you cannot do.
If the job has flexible hours, think about how many hours a week you are willing to work.
Try to limit the number of scheduling conflicts you have. An employer will likely be sympathetic to family, education, health, or religious conflicts, but they will probably not care if your work schedule conflicts with a personal hobby. Try to remain as flexible as possible, and be open to rescheduling some of your personal activities.
Also, think about the particular job and company when you are considering schedule options. If this is a seasonal job, for example, you likely won’t get away with saying you cannot work weekends and holidays.
Tips for Giving the Best Answer
Responses to Avoid
Saying that you can’t work weekends due to frivolous reasons might make interviewers think you are lazy or irresponsible. As such, you should try to avoid mentioning social events or downtime activities when refusing weekend, holiday, or night shifts.
How to Answer “Can You Work Weekends?”
Honesty and flexibility are essential when responding to this question. Be upfront about your availability and be firm on the days you would prefer to work. If you cannot work weekends, nights, or holidays due to family commitments or other outside obligations, discuss alternatives that would satisfy you and your potential employer.
Sample Answers for “Are You Able to Work Weekend and Holiday Shifts?”
Job hopefuls need a straightforward answer that highlights their personal needs while also showing their ability to cooperate and compromise. Here are some examples of good responses that can help you form a solid reply of your own.
Sample Job 1 – Restaurant Server
“My schedule is pretty flexible, so I am open to working as much as I can. I know that nights and weekends are the busiest times for restaurants, so I’m willing to work as much as you need me during those times. However, I also value having a healthy work-life balance, so I would like to have every other Friday or Saturday off if possible.”
Sample Job 2 – Department Store Sales Associate
“I have young children, so I would prefer to work during the day when they are at school. I would also like to have Sundays and certain holidays off so I can observe my religious practices. Aside from that, I am open to picking up a few nights and weekends. I can also work through the majority of the busy holiday season.”
Sample Job 3 – Home Health Aide
“I understand that some clients require 24-hour care, and I am willing to help out as much as I can. Though I am mostly available for night shifts, I can take on a few short morning shifts during the weekends. As for the holidays, I would prefer to have at least one holiday off so I can spend it with my family.”
How to answer the days and hours available interview question
The following aspects need to be considered when preparing to tell the hiring manager what days and hours you are available to work:
Research the company and the job where you’re applying
Once you know your own availability, try to discover what the schedule expectations for the job you are where youre applying. Some jobs require overnight preparation for various situations, while others need their employees to put in overtime at certain busy times of the year to accommodate all customer requests. If any of the jobs schedule demands conflict with your own schedule, its best to know that before the interview.
You are available part-time
“I am available at any time between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. during weekdays, as these are time hours when my children are at school. I can also come in on Saturdays and Sunday mornings if needed.”
You can’t work weekends
“My weekday schedule is very flexible, as I can rely on my husband to take the children to school and back home. Im willing to work additional hours, either early in the morning or in the evening, after the regular office hours. However, family and church commitments wont allow me to work during the weekend.”
Common Terms on Availability
“Open availability,” when used in job interviews, refers to the time you would be available for work, especially if it’s not a full-time job. It is when your schedule is considered not in conflict with a potential new career. Finally, it’s the specific times or days you will be available to work if eventually hired.
For example, if you’re already engaged with a job during the regular working hours of the week, you can say that you have open availability on weekdays from 6 pm to 8 pm and on weekends.
“I have lectures from 9 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 8 am to 1 pm on Fridays. Outside of that I am available from 2 pm to 8 pm on those days. I am also available and I’m willing to work during the weekends.”
How to Answer the ‘What’s Your Availability’ Interview Question
You never want to lie for any interview questions, and that is especially important when you are discussing your availability. If your schedule is wide open and you are capable of working any day of the week or evenings, then that is fantastic and feel free to say it.
However, if you do have a scheduling conflict, then you want to explain that. In the event you say your schedule is completely open and then once you are offered the job you mention you have something else going on, then the job offer may immediately be rescinded. Honesty also comes into play when you are discussing how soon you will be available to work. Do not say you are available as soon as possible if you will need to give your current job two weeks’ notice.
If You Have Any: In the event your schedule is not completely open, briefly mention what else you have going on. If you are a student, then you should explain what your class schedule is like. Many interviewees are hesitant to mention anything because they want to come across as the most attractive job candidate possible.
However, most hiring managers understand that you will have other things going on to an extent. If you are taking classes or have children to look after, then those are completely reasonable excuses for not always being available to work. You do not have to go into great detail unless the hiring manager requests additional information after asking “What’s your availability?”
Ways that employers ask ‘What is your availability for work?’ during an interview
Here are some of the different ways that an employer could ask about availability during a job interview:
Some employers might discuss the subject of availability to work in a preliminary screening while others might wait until the second interview. Since this question is asked in different ways, anticipating the various forms can help you prepare an effective answer.
FAQ
What should I put for days and hours available?
How do you answer what are your hours of availability?
How do you ask questions about availability?
- Expressions. Examples. Are you…? Are you free tomorrow? …
- Are you. free. available. at this time? …
- Can you. give me. a second? a minute? …
- Do you. have. time? a second? …
- Is this. a good time. to talk? …
- May I. have a word. with you? …
- Let me know. when you are. free. …
- Is your schedule open. at this time? now?
How do you answer availability date?
- Research the company hours. You can research information about the company you apply to on the Internet and look for the standard job requirements. …
- Review your schedule. …
- Emphasize your availability. …
- Give an honest answer. …
- Share your future plans.
