How To Answer Interview Questions Regarding Late Night Shifts

How To Answer Interview Questions Regarding Late Night Shifts

When most companies look for candidates who can work late in the hour or rotate shifts, know how you can handle such interview questions to decline politely (if you want) and still leave a good impression on the interviewer and get the job.

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Know how to handle interview questions regarding night shifts and working on weekends.
Know how to handle interview questions regarding night shifts and working on weekends.
Know how to handle interview questions regarding night shifts and working on weekends.
Know how to handle interview questions regarding night shifts and working on weekends.

With growing MNCs and high level of competition, it is not very surprising that many companies require their employees to work around the clock. As such, interview questions like “can you manage night shifts?” Or even, “can you work during the weekends” can come up.

Whether you enjoy the whole idea of working the night shift, putting in extra hours or spending your weekend behind the computer screen works for you or not, you should know how to handle this question.

What is the interviewer trying to know

Before you begin to formulate your answer, try to understand what the interviewer wants to know through this. Few of the plausible reasons why the interviewer might have asked you this question can be –

  • How flexible are you?
  • Can you take initiative to sacrifice personal time for a situation?
  • Can you handle workplace pressure?
  • Can the company rely on you to step up, if required?

Now that you have a fair idea what the interviewer might be looking for, frame your answer accordingly.

Points that you should emphasise when faced with such interview questions

If it doesn’t work for you, say so

Just because you desperately want the job or the opportunity is too good to let go, don’t lie or give a half-hearted truth. If the shift doesn’t work for you say so. Tell the interviewer you don’t agree to it.

Give your reasons

Don’t just say the opportunity doesn’t work for you. Instead, focus on why it doesn’t work for you. Give your reasons and make sure it is convincing. If you think that working late at night can hamper your “family time”, tell that. Or have an elderly at home you want to take care of, make sure the interviewer knows it. If you need the weekend to rejuvenate and get back to work with enthusiasm, then state it out loud.

Tell the interviewer how much you want the job and how you can add to the company

The whole point of the interview is to sell yourself and tell the interviewer how you are the right fit for the job. Even if you don’t agree with one thing, you can politely decline it but add on how you can add a lot to the company. You need to encourage the company to look beyond your availability for the night or weekend shifts.

How you should not handle this interview question

Avoid a flat out “NO”

Yes, honesty is the best policy and the interviewer will appreciate you so much more for your honesty. However, just giving a simple no without any explanation to add to it or explain your stance won’t do you any good.

Don’t give a limp answer

If you are okay with working late then say so, if you are not, then assert it. Don’t give a limp answer like “I will be okay with whatever”. Be straightforward with your responses when asked about working late or on the weekends or other interview questions.

Don’t lie to get the job

You might think saying no or disagreeing with the interviewer at any given point can cost you the job. As such, you might be tempted to resort to lies and say the schedule works for you when it honestly doesn’t. However, do keep it in mind that the interviewer will appreciate your honesty more than a flat out lie you can’t expect to meet in the future.

Make confidence your friend

Work on your confidence to impress the interviewer.
Work on your confidence to impress the interviewer.

Whatever your answer might be, a good way to handle all interview questions is to be confident and sport a great body language. Sit up straight, smile at proper intervals and exude an aura which will tell the interviewer you are prepared to take on the job and make it your own.

A good way to understand about non-verbal cues would be to practice and take help of mock interview portals like Mock-AI. This will help you gain a clearer insight of what you are doing right and where you are going wrong and what can be done to improve your non-verbal communication skills.

So, make good use of these interview tips, know how to handle all interview questions and get set to earn the job you want.

1 COMMENT

  1. Valuable information and tips. I am going to put them in practice Thank you for this valuable and well-presented information. Keep the great work!

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