Telephone Interview Questions
Master 30 telephone interview questions covering communication skills, etiquette, and customer interaction scenarios.
Question 11 of 30
Our company is looking for a team member with flexible work hours. Are you able and willing to work overtime, as needed?
Admin
Sales
Retail
Marketing
Teacher
Manager
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Example Answer
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Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"My scheduling availability is flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of your organization. I am not afraid to put in hard work or long hours when needed."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I know that sales roles can have some long hours, and am open to that as needed. For the majority of my days, I was hoping to retain my current schedule of 8-5pm Monday through Friday. As extenuating circumstances arise, with KPI's in mind, I will certainly do more than my share to pull the weight."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I'm used to working nights, weekends, and holidays. I am flexible for days or nights, weekdays or weekends, and the like. In my current role, we are offered overtime pay for holiday hours and Sundays. Is this what your organization offers as well?"
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I am certainly a team player and willing to pitch in to help reach a goal outside of the standard hours, but I am accustomed to typical business hours and am looking to retain those. Is there a particular time of year or initiative that comes to mind when you refer to atypical hours?"
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I work many additional hours in a week whether that be with students who need help after school, helping to coach a sport, or leading a club. I am certainly willing to do the same at your school."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Whenever I ask my team to stay late to complete a project, I do the same. I would never ask anything from my team that I am not willing to deliver myself. Rest assured, I am a team player and will do what it takes to ensure the organization is successful."
Christine Pasqueretta is a human resource and recruitment professional with experience creating, developing, implementing, leading, and measuring HR impact initiatives.
Before answering scheduling questions, it's important to be clear on the interviewer's expectations. If you haven't had a chance to clarify their scheduling needs, now would be the perfect time to ask! Consider asking, 'What are the scheduling expectations for this position?' If they expect you to work 12 hour days, it would be important for you to know that before you respond with, 'Absolutely! No problem!' You want to be sure that you can meet their expectations.
If it turns out their schedule expectations won't work for you, think about what you CAN offer and see if you can meet in the middle. It's much better to discuss these things in an interview than for you to commit to a schedule that won't work for you.
Christine Pasqueretta is a human resource and recruitment professional with experience creating, developing, implementing, leading, and measuring HR impact initiatives.
"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?"
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Anonymous Answer
Yes, I would be happy to be a team player and work some overtime, as needed.
Alexandra's Feedback
Good answer.
Anonymous Answer
What amount of overtime? Are we compensated for this overtime? I don't mind having a flexible schedule, but I need to understand what flexible means.
Rachelle's Feedback
It's good to have questions, and you should definitely know the expectations before accepting a job. However, there is a more delicate way to uncover this information. I have offered a revision, below.
"I am prepared to offer flexibility in my schedule. Could you share with me the average overtime expectations, and how you arrange compensation around these needs?"
Anonymous Answer
What are the schedule expectations for this role? Yes, I am available 8-6 daily. In my current position, I often come early or stay late as needed. Additionally, I work later hours as needed remotely from home on my laptop and periodically on weekends to obtain property access from the landlord for the operations team when emergency or weekend repair work is necessary.
Rachelle's Feedback
Very nice answer. You show a lot of dedication to your work.
Anonymous Answer
Definitely, I will work overtime if needed. In the mortgage industry where I worked as a Loan Closer, there were times when I had to work late to accommodate document deadlines. In one case, my manager assigned me a loan, but because I received it late in the afternoon, I needed to stay longer to finish. My manager was always grateful to me because I was willing to assist and help anytime without hesitation.
Stephanie's Feedback
Excellent response; this shows that you are flexible and dedicated and can go the extra mile when needed.
Anonymous Answer
Depending on the meaning of flexibility, I'm open to working overtime if needed but to a certain limit that doesn't affect my working-life balance. If possible, could you share the average overtime expectations and how you arrange compensation around these needs?
Cindy's Feedback
Ok, good start. Can you demonstrate your flexibility in past positions?
Anonymous Answer
I am happy to work extra hours, when needed. What are the overtime expectations for this position?
Cindy's Feedback
Good! It's great to engage and turn the interview into a conversation.
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