How to Answer: How do you feel about working overtime, weekends, evenings, or holidays?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Public Works job interview.
2. How do you feel about working overtime, weekends, evenings, or holidays?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer may be trying to assess your familiarity with the demands of the role, or how flexible you'd willing to be. Their ideal candidates are top performers who are willing to go the extra distance to get the job done, and arriving at your interview thoroughly prepared showcases a strong work ethic. A less desirable candidate will arrive less prepared, be taken off guard by obvious questions, and may ask clarifying questions that they could have easily answered themself.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024
What You Need to Know
While it's your interviewer's job to study the nuances of how you answer each question for deeper insights into who you are as a candidate, it is your job to pay close attention to the nuance of each question they pose, and what they may reveal about the unadvertised elements of the job. For example, understaffing can lead to undesirable shifts, increased hours, and unspoken expectations for overtime, weekend hours, on-call coverage, or split shifts. Also, keep in mind, that if this position isn't unionized, there may still be other protections in place. So come prepared, and learn everything you can to ensure it is the right fit before accepting any job offer.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024
How to Prep
Fully familiarize yourself with the job description, and the information on the site's career pages, and read up on any online reviews to get a thorough understanding of what to expect from working there. Arriving prepared will empower you to confidently ask informed questions, especially when an interview hints at unadvertised responsibilities that differ from their advertised job description. Only then should you ask your interviewer for clarification. In the end, it may even open the door to another opportunity, such as them considering you as a viable good fit for another role that you hadn't considered applying to.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024
Remember To
Before entering the interview, be honest with yourself about whether the expectations of this role, and whether the adjustments you would have to make to your lifestyle, are in line with your goals. Taking a job that doesn't feel like the right fit will probably lower your job satisfaction and cause you to burn out on the job faster than a better fit elsewhere. Taking any job now just because you need a job is an unwise investment of time. Instead, focus on your priorities.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024
How to Answer
Before you blindly agree to any commitments, make sure you are clear about their expectations. Ask clarifying questions and carefully consider how this role aligns with your priorities. Be honest with yourself. Communicate with transparency and flexibility. But don't feel compelled to give a firm answer right away. Simply share that you are open to thinking about it. There may still be room for negotiation. If you cannot meet their scheduling requirement, share what you can offer.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 7th, 2024
Experienced Example
"I am reasonably flexible and typically available to work all seven days of the week, with some constraints. I do have family commitments, and my availability is limited to daytime hours, with a reliable and consistent schedule. With proper notice, I can work overtime and the odd weekend hours when needed. Having said that, I am pretty familiar with the job posting and did some reading online, glassdoor reviews, and whatnot. But you can't trust everything you read online, so decided to save such questions for you, and this is as good of a time as any. Outside of the job descriptions of occasionally working overtime, weekends, and holidays, how frequently is such coverage required, and how typical is that to your work culture? I just want to make sure this is the right fit for everybody."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 7th, 2024