How to Answer: This position often requires you to work irregular hours and schedule patterns. What is your availability?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a NHS Band 3 Emergency Care Assistant job interview.
2. This position often requires you to work irregular hours and schedule patterns. What is your availability?
How to Answer
Before answering questions about your availability, you should have an idea of the requirements of the position. If you haven't gathered the information from the job posting or description, now is a good time to confirm what is required if you join the NHS. Consider asking the interviewer what their expectations are; for example, are the shifts 8,10 or 12 hours, etc., and are weekends required? If their schedule expectations won't work for you, consider what you can offer instead and see if you can meet in the middle. It's much easier to discuss these things in the interview to make sure it aligns with both the organisation's needs as well as your own personal needs.
Written by Jaymie Payne on April 5th, 2023
Answer Example
"In the job description, I read that it is a 37.5-hour-per-week position. Given the nature of the job, I understand that, in addition, I may be asked to come in early, stay late to cover a shift, work off shifts, weekends, and holidays. I prefer to work the evening shift; however, I am flexible and am able to work various shifts and extra hours as needed."
Written by Jaymie Payne on April 2nd, 2023