How many days were you absent from work last year?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example
Community Answers

Part of being a diligent employee is to ensure that you are always on time and present when expected. It's great even to be 10 minutes early rather than just showing up right on the dot. Talk to the interviewer about your attendance. The interviewer wants to hear how many days you were absent last year due to calling in sick or taking off for personal reasons to determine if you will be a dependable employee if hired.

Focus on the reasons why you missed work, whether it was vacation time, sick leave, or personal reasons. If you called in sick, it is best to say that you provided a doctor's note. When you can provide a note from your doctor, it shows that you were being honest about calling off work.

Avoid not providing a reason for your absences from work. If you simply say you missed a certain number of days and do not provide a reason, the interviewer will feel you have something to hide.

"I cannot recall the exact number, but I think it was around three days total. All absences were excused and with notice."

"I had zero unexcused absences last year. I was sick just 2, and a note from my doctor accompanied those. In total, I took 12 vacation days out of my 15 allotted days. Once I was late due to a terrible snowstorm, and I notified my supervisor of my situation. I am usually punctual, and I always try to be at least 10 minutes early for my shift."

"I think I missed ten days, counting vacation time. Of those, five were for my vacation. For three days, I was excused under a doctor's note. The other two absences were pre-approved family days."

Anonymous Answer

"The only time I was not at work was when I took my allotted two weeks of vacation time."

Rachelle's Feedback

Straightforward and to the point! It's clear that you are reliable; however, you may want to add a final qualifying statement. I have provided an example below.

"I only took my two weeks' vacation last year. I am a reliable person who consistently comes to work as expected."

Show More Answers

Anonymous Answer

"I don't know exactly, but all were approved in advance and I made sure there was someone to cover my shift. In addition, I still have 2-3 months of sick and annual time remaining."

Cindy's Feedback

Ok, good start. Try to avoid the initial impression that you're not directly answering the question. You may want to review the last year of absences and provide it. I've included an alternative example below.

"I understand the toll that unplanned or excessive absences take on my team, so I only take unplanned time off when absolutely necessary. When it's unavoidable, I make arrangements to have my shift covered. Currently, I have 2-3 months of sick and annual time off remaining."

Anonymous Answer

"During 2020 Covid19 took me out of work. I began my current job in April of 2021 and I have worked here for 3 months and have 0 absence days."

Chad's Feedback

Good start! However, your opening sentence may create additional questions from the employer. Consider clarifying the reason you were out of work in 2020 - were you unable to work due to illness, or were you laid off because your position was eliminated? - or eliminating the statement altogether. In the "Revised Answer" box, I have suggested a way you can restate this.

"Since starting my current role in April of 2021, I have not missed a single day of work. I am an extremely dependable person who consistently comes to work as expected."

How to Answer: How many days were you absent from work last year?