How to Answer What Do You Think Of Overtime Work | Job Majestic
First one, if they inquire about working overtime (or night shifts, on weekends, etc), it is almost certainly required in the job. If they did not expect you to work overtime at least sometimes, they would not ask the question. And secondly, your attitude matters more than anything else. Maybe you have a little child or another job, or some other obligations, and most of the time cannot stay at work besides the standard hours. Even in such a case you can show your willingness to sacrifice something for the employer. Maybe you cannot stay overtime, but you can arrive early to handle your duties. Or you can sometimes work on Saturday, etc. Let’s have a look at the sample answers now.
Working overtime has become almost a norm in the majority of big corporations. If you stand up from your desk at 4pm, ready to go home after spending eight hours at work, people will start looking at you. They will think that you are crazy, because people do not leave the workplace after eight hours in the 21st century…
Now I do not want to argue whether it is right (in my opinion it is not, but that’s not a point of this article). While interviewing you for a job, hiring managers will often inquire about your willingness to work overtime. Or they will structure it differently, asking “Your supervisor wants you to work overtime every week, but you have other commitments outside of work. What will you do?” And I will try to help you understand what you should say, both if you can and cannot stay besides typical working hours. Before we look at seven sample answers to the question, I want you to remember two crucial points.
* Special Tip: This isn’t the most difficult question you will face while interviewing for any decent job. You will face questions about prioritization, dealing with pressure, solving problems, and other tricky scenarios that happen in the workplace. If you want to make sure that you stand out with your answers and outclass your competitors, have a look at our Interview Success Package. Up to 10 premium answers to 50 tricky scenario based questions (+ more) will make your life much easier in the interviews. Thank you for checking it out!
Many people spend their entire life at work, having two jobs, working overtime. It certainly isn’t a good trend, but sometimes we have to sacrifice something for better tomorrows… When they inquire whether you are willing to work overtime, make sure to show at least some flexibility, and a desire to reach your goals at work. Because that’s exactly what they hope to hear from a great candidate for the job…
“I have no problem occasionally working overtime, but a healthy work-life balance is important to me. In my previous employment, for example, I was routinely putting in extra hours at the office until I read “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. Since then, I’ve adopted a personal productivity system that makes me more efficient and effective during working hours to get the job done.”
To help you prepare for your next job interview, here are 30 common interview questions and answer examples.
Common was written by Rachelle Enns and updated on January 8th, 2022. Learn more here.
Its common for hiring companies to ask about your preferred work hours. The interviewer wants to know what kind of commitment they can gain from you if hired to join their team. The goal of your response is to express that you are a reliable and dedicated individual. You also want to show that you can finish your tasks in a reasonable amount of time.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Avoid giving a closed-ended answer like, No, I cannot work more than 40 hours per week. If it turns out the hiring companys schedule expectations wont work for you, think about what you CAN offer and see if you can come to a compromise. Also, avoid sounding like a workaholic. Responsible employers do not want to hear that you work 12 hours, seven days a week since they know this can be a quick route to burnout.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
Before answering scheduling questions, its essential to be clear on the interviewers expectations. In many states, provinces, and regions, an employer cannot demand that an employee work more than 44 hours per week. Be sure to know your rights as an employee before answering questions about hours and scheduling commitments. Also, be clear about what kind of commitment you can give your new employer. If the company needs you physically in your office by 7:30 am until 6:00 pm Monday to Friday, and your personal life doesnt allow for that, its much better to discuss these factors in detail before committing to a schedule that wont work for you.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
When you respond, express that you are a reliable and hard worker. Show the interviewer that you are capable of proper time management, ensuring you complete your tasks every week within an appropriate amount of time. You can then express that you have the flexibility for situations that require your time over and above the typical work week. If you havent had a chance to clarify the hiring companys scheduling needs, now would be the perfect time to ask. Consider asking what the scheduling expectations are for the position. If the employer expects you to work 12 hour days, it would be vital to know that before you respond with, Absolutely! No problem! You want to be sure that you can meet their expectations.
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“I am available for full-time work, which is preferably 8-5 Monday to Friday. I am happy to be a team player and work some overtime, as required. Will these hours meet your expectations?”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“I am excellent with task and time management, allowing me to complete my assignments within a 40-hour workweek typically. If overtime is required at times, I am happy to accommodate. My only restriction is Wednesday nights as I have an evening course to attend for the next 12 weeks.”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“I am willing to work overtime as needed; however, I would like to know if overtime work is an expectation. Could you share more with me detail in regards to the schedule and hours expectations for this role?”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“I wish to retain my current schedule as much as possible, which is Monday through Friday from 8:00-5:00. I understand that, with sales-based roles, there will be times when I need to put in more hours to close a deal or meet a quota. I intend to exceed my goals, and if putting in additional hours is whats needed, Im 100% committed.”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“I value a healthy balance between work and my personal life; however, I anticipate working over 40 hours per week at times, especially around the holidays. Could you share with me the expectations for this role?”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“As a teacher, I often work overtime. While the school day may be from 7:45 to 3:15, I take my laptop and marking home with me on nights and weekends. I am currently a soccer coach, so I am no stranger to long days and nights. I fully dedicate myself to my job and students.”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“In a salaried role such as this, I expect to commit more than a typical 40-hour workweek. I will dedicate more time to the team as needed while preserving a healthy balance. Are there specific instances of overtime that I should be aware of?”
Written by Rachelle Enns on January 8th, 2022
“Yes, I would be willing to work over 40 hours as well as weekends if needed to work on a project. I am currently working over 40 hours when there is an urgent task or project that needed to be done.”
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview CoachRachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Great! You sound very accommodating and willing to go the extra mile for your employer.
When you have an interviewee ask you if you are expected to work overtime or weekends, theyre really asking you about what will be expected of them if they were to get the job. They are trying to get a sense of the company, and of the workload associated with their possible position. Part of the interview process is the candidate figuring out if the company is a good fit for them. How much theyre expected to work is a big part of that. Just because they ask this question does not mean they are for or against the overtime.
Giving the candidate a good view of their options will help them make an informed decision, so you can get a committed employee.
When you answer this question, you want to be sure to emphasize where to company stands on overtime and what their options are.
Giving the candidate an honest, straightforward answer will give them a good idea about the company, but it will also help you get a feel for them as a potential employee.
It is important to answer their question as completely as you can to give them a better picture of what would be expected of them.
FAQ
How do you answer interview questions about overtime?
Is it OK to ask about overtime in an interview?
Are you willing to work overtime best answer?
Give workers the opportunity to earn more: Extra hours can often mean getting paid time and a half, or sometimes even double pay. If you’re looking to make some extra cash quickly, overtime can be the easiest and most obvious solution.
Why do you want to work overtime?
Give workers the opportunity to earn more: Extra hours can often mean getting paid time and a half, or sometimes even double pay. If you’re looking to make some extra cash quickly, overtime can be the easiest and most obvious solution.
