Do you work much outside normal hours?

Disciplines > Job-finding > Interview questions > Do you work much outside normal hours?

The question | What they are looking for | How to answer | See also

The question

Do you work much outside normal hours?

Do you take your work home with you?

How many hours a week do you normally work?

What they are looking for

This is another tricky question as the interviewer may see working overtime as good or bad.

In some companies and some jobs it is the norm to work all hours, staying late and taking work home. In other organizations working long hours is seem as a symptom of someone who is unable to manage their time and hence is disorganized.

How to answer

If you are unsure of what they are looking for, it is often best to give a balanced response that demonstrates both a willing flexibility and an organized control.

I mostly work regular hours but when there is urgent work to do I will happily work whatever hours are needed to get the job done.

If you have constraints such as children's school times then it is best to make a relevant point. If you think about it you may be able to reframe this as a strength.

I am constrained by school hours. Being a mother means you have to be well organized, which is another reason why I get so much done at work.

See also

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