How to Answer: What do you do if you expect to be late or miss work?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Burlington Coat Factory job interview.
4. What do you do if you expect to be late or miss work?
How to Answer
Your interviewer understands that unexpected things like illness and flat tires happen. You may encounter a situation that causes you to be late or miss work. The important thing in these situations is how you handle it. Show that you will be proactive and notify your manager or supervisor as soon as possible if such a situation occurs. Remember, if you are late or unable to come to work, your supervisor will be responsible for finding coverage for your shift.
Written by Kimberly Hallman on May 3rd, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I hate being late and always do everything I can to avoid it. If I'm not five minutes early, I feel like I'm already late! Winters here can make travel hard, so I always give myself extra time when there's snow or ice. If I get sick or have some unavoidable delay, I call my supervisor immediately. I want to give them as much time as possible to find someone to cover my shift."
Written by Kimberly Hallman on May 3rd, 2023
2nd Answer Example
"Being a mom has taught me to always have multiple contingency plans in place in case things don't go according to plan. If I get a flat tire or the car won't start, I have a backup plan to get to work. But I know that sometimes even a backup plan falls through. If being late or missing work is unavoidable, I immediately call my employer and let them know my situation. I will still do everything in my power to make it to work, but I also want to give my supervisors a chance to cover my shift."
Written by Kimberly Hallman on May 3rd, 2023
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