Tricky interview question: Are you willing to work overtime? (2024)

“Are you willing to work overtime?” – This is undoubtedly an extremely tricky interview question that can immediately put you into deep thinking.

So, how do we respond to this confounding question in a way that allows you to convey your authentic opinion, without negatively impacting the hiring decision?

Now, before we dive deep into the details of forming a suitable response, let’s try to first understand the interviewer’s intention behind asking it.

Dr. (HC) Guruvayurappan PV, Chief Human Resource Officer, Omega Healthcare, a provider of technology-enabled RCM, real-world data, pharma access, and payer risk solutions, says the reason why interviewers ask this question is to ascertain the individual’s attitude towards work. This not only tests their willingness but also evaluates their determination and motivation to meet deadlines. Besides, he says that it is through this question that employers often get to check with experienced candidates how they handle such unpredictable situations at work.

What kind of responses do employers usually hear?

Depending on the candidate’s urgent need for a job, Guruvayurappan says they often come across “Yes” as an answer. Many candidates also inquire how often overtime is to be performed, whether they will be compensated, and if yes, then how much additional earning potential is possible.

There have been candidates who are agreeable to extending working hours but not open to work on the weekends, he adds.

What not to include while answering this question?

According to him, while working overtime can be beneficial for some people, it can be a source of stress and fatigue for others. This question can also be a sign that the job might involve long hours and a demanding schedule. Hence, he says it is important to understand the implications of working overtime and be honest with yourself and the interviewer when answering this question.

“Knowing what to expect and how to answer the question can help you make an informed decision and show the interviewer that you are a responsible and committed employee. There is no right or wrong answer here – but I suggest one must respond to this question in a manner that is both honest and flexible”, says the CHRO of Omega Healthcare.

What is an ideal response to this question?

While elaborating on how a candidate should approach this question, Guruvayurappan lists a few suitable ways. However, this will completely depend on each individual person’s way of looking at time and work based on their personal situation and constraints.

Some of the answers, he shares could be:

• “Yes, I have no problem with working overtime because in my opinion growth of the establishment is equal to the growth of an individual”.
• If they are comfortable with working on weekends, then saying “I am fine with working on weekends if the organisation wants me to do so” might be the right way to respond.
• In case the candidate is not open to working late evenings or weekends, then they must carefully convey the same. Saying you have evening college to attend or have to take care of “a specific alternative to work” during those timings, or properly explaining why you are unable to do so might help you put forward your response in a more persuasive manner, he concludes.