There’s a love-hate relationship with job interviews. We love that we have the chance to prove ourselves to a new employer, and hopefully get a new position with a big new salary…but we hate the job interview process; its scary, horrific, terrifying!!!
This series of job interview articles will teach you how to pass your next job interview by explaining how to answer each tricky job interview question
How to Answer “are you willing to work overtime?”
This question only come up if the employer needs a flexible workforce
If you are required to have a flexible approach IE you can start and end the day whenever you want as long as you get the job completed (a common approach in project management and consulting roles) you won’t be asked the ‘can you work overtime’ interview question
This question is for those employers who need to achieve customer demand at short notice and need a workforce to help achieve this requested objective. If you prefer only to work your set hours, this position may not be for you
How to Answer the Interview Question
Start with a confirmation opener
A confirmation opener is you stating you can do (whatever it is the employer has asked you) without any hesitation, without any thinking time, instead of leaving a gap you answer “yes” quickly and with assertiveness
This simple interview answer opener has a powerful effect, it reassures the employer at the subconscious level. If you hesitate, the employer will start having doubts about the sincerity of your answer
If an employer starts to doubt you, you are unlikely to be successful in the job interview
So now you have grabbed their attention with the confirmation opener “yes…” the next step is to offer proof.
Proof is achieved easily by giving an example “…in my previous role…” this ambiguous opening is great “previous role” this could be your last role or a previous role from 6 years ago
“…in my previous role, I would work overtime at the drop of a hat, as last-minute orders with short deadlines would come in at the end of the day” You need your example to link to the company you are applying for a position with IE does this organization work in a sector where late orders come in at the end of the day?
Finally, use your values as a final influencer tactic “… I actually prefer roles where you work different hours, it brings variety which I enjoy”
Its easy isn’t it? all you need to do to answer ‘are you willing to work overtime?’ is to:
1 – use a confirmation opener
2- give a real example of having a flexible approach
3 – explain how you enjoy a flexible working pattern
Job Interview Advice
