When HR asks: “Do you accept overtime?” How should you answer

As for the question “Do you accept overtime work?”, in fact, it is generally seen that it is a very easy to scold question, and almost all job seekers are angry and annoyed by those who hear it.

Some were immediately filled with righteous indignation: “Overtime is inhumane! Either the leadership’s work arrangement is unreasonable, and the boss is incompetent! Or the company is a perverted boss, and all companies that require overtime work are hooligans!”

Some immediately started negotiating: “Is there any overtime pay? Are you going to be late for dinner? Can I get reimbursed by taking a taxi home? Can I be late the next day?”

Some speed show their loyalty: “Working overtime must be necessary for work. As a member of the company, it is incumbent upon you to sharpen your head and rush forward for the development of the company! The leader told me to go west, but never look east! Where does the boss point me to fight!”

Some taught the interviewer: “Working overtime proves that there is a problem with the operation of a company, and the unreasonable personnel structure or work arrangement has resulted in overtime work outside of work. This is either because the company is insufficiently staffed or the work arrangement is not good. And overtime work It will increase the operating cost, and the utility bills generated by overtime are also money…”

There may be a few outright job seekers who directly went back and said “overtime cannot be accepted”…

This seems like a difficult question to answer, too honest and it might be embarrassing; too hypocritical and it might be even more embarrassing.

In fact, many interviewers ask this question, which does not prove that you will work overtime regularly, but may just test in advance to see if you are willing to contribute to the company.

Straight Bulenden replied, “I can’t work overtime.” I guess most of the time is gone. I’m stupid and said “I’d like to work overtime.” ……Would you like to do it, or not willing to do so, what is the best way to do it?

1. What does the interviewer want to know?

Learn about work attitudes. Sometimes when HR asks this question, it really does not mean that the company has to work overtime often, but it wants to know your enthusiasm and attitude towards work. And I would like to know your previous work experience and work commitment through your answers. From your answer, HR can know whether you are a real “Buddha” youth or a “magic” youth who only wins if you love to fight.

Learn about job fit. Some positions are more work-intensive and require a lot of time and energy investment, that is, high-frequency overtime. (For example, the construction industry and the Internet industry, etc.), job seekers are required to be mentally prepared for overtime. Asking this way will give you a mental preparation, which is often said, the ugly words should be said first. If this is the case, your answer needs to highlight the willingness to “accept overtime” as much as possible.

Learn about personal abilities. Some companies value work efficiency, and “regular overtime work” is actually a manifestation of low work efficiency. If work efficiency is high and work can be completed as soon as possible, what overtime is there? At this time, what you want to express should focus on the “reason for overtime work”.

2. Wrong Answer

1. I love working overtime

2. I think it’s okay

3. I agree with overtime

4. Don’t want to work overtime

5. Hate working overtime

……

If your answer is listed above, then trust me, you will either work overtime to sudden death or interview fat people in the future.

3. correct answer

If there is an overtime situation, I will first reflect on whether the reason for the overtime is my own. Is it because of insufficient work ability or low work efficiency that it needs to work overtime later to make up? If so, I will try my best to make up for my deficiencies in work, improve work efficiency, and reduce the occurrence of overtime.

If there is a work need or emergency, overtime is fine; but I don’t like to work overtime for the sake of it, or to show that I work hard. I prefer to reduce ineffective overtime hours by improving my work efficiency and arrange overtime in a planned way, so that I can coordinate work and life well.

If overtime is the norm in the industry, you can answer this: If necessary, I am very willing to cooperate with the progress and work overtime. But I will still try my best to finish all the scheduled content within the working days from Monday to Friday, give myself a good rest, and then recharge the battery to continue working efficiently next week. At the same time, I also like teams that have this kind of efficient atmosphere.

Did you find the pattern? The first step emphasizes that you can work overtime if the work requires you to express your willingness; the second step emphasizes that your work efficiency is high and leaves room for you.

The question of working overtime in the interview process is a test for the interviewer, depending on your pressure tolerance and your willingness to work; for you, it is an attitude choice.

For long-term overtime work, I believe most people will oppose it. We cannot sacrifice our health and life. There may also be problems with the company’s culture and management. As for the occasional overtime work, I think it is understandable that emergency situations need to be dealt with, or even overtime due to the inefficiency of the newcomers, it is reasonable. Therefore, there is no need to stand up against the table, just show your willingness calmly during the interview. Of course, if it is true that you cannot work overtime due to physical reasons or family circumstances, you may wish to be blunt, otherwise, it will be difficult to work for a long time after joining.