How to Answer: How often are you late or absent to work?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a truck driver job interview.
23. How often are you late or absent to work?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants assurance that you are a reliable person. Begin by telling the interviewer that it is important to you to be on time and that you value punctuality.
If you have missed work in the past year, share why you were absent, and the steps that you took to ensure you did not leave your employer hanging. Perhaps you had to take your child to the hospital, and you called to explain the situation rather than just not showing up.
Situations happen from time to time, and the hiring authority is aware that there will be times when circumstances are out of our control. The key to a great response is to show that you are accountable when unexpected things happen.
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 17th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I was raised to be 10 minutes early to everything that I commit to, and I take that effort seriously. My previous employer will be able to share my attendance records with you, but I can tell you that I was late just once this past year because of a flat tire on a freezing day. I notified my boss immediately, called for a tow truck, and made it into work just 2 hours late."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 17th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"One day in the past year I was stuck in gridlock traffic on the interstate due to an accident. Of course situations happen that are out of our control; however, it's all about how we handle them. I am always in communication with my employer and should a situation such as this occur; I would notify my supervisor immediately and find a workaround."
Written by Rachelle Enns on December 17th, 2018