In an interview, how should you respond when asked How many hours do you normally work?

Introduction / Context:
How many hours do you normally work is a question that helps interviewers gauge your work ethic, expectations, and approach to work life balance. They want employees who are committed and flexible, but not necessarily those who glorify unhealthy overwork. A balanced answer shows that you respect both productivity and sustainability.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The company likely has standard working hours with occasional peaks.
• Some roles demand extra time during critical periods.
• Employers want team members who meet responsibilities without burning out.
• The interviewer is assessing both your attitude and realism.

Concept / Approach:
A good approach is to explain that you work a normal full day and focus on delivering results rather than simply staying late to be seen. You can mention that when projects require extra time, you are willing to adjust your schedule, but that you also believe in working efficiently during regular hours. This shows that you are hardworking, practical, and mindful of long term performance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Refer to your current or previous typical schedule, such as standard office hours in your region. Step 2: Emphasise that you focus on using those hours productively and planning your day to complete important tasks. Step 3: Mention that you are prepared to work longer hours occasionally for important deadlines or emergencies. Step 4: Clarify that you do not believe in long hours only for show and prefer efficient, high quality work. Step 5: Keep the tone confident and professional, without criticising different working styles.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think about your actual recent working pattern. If your answer is close to reality, you will find it easy to defend and explain with examples. If you exaggerate heavily, you may struggle when interviewers ask follow up questions about how you manage such hours or what you actually achieve during them.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b glorifies extreme overwork, which can signal poor time management or risk of burnout. Option c shows a lack of commitment and suggests that you might neglect responsibilities. Option d is unnecessarily defensive and may create doubt about your openness and suitability for the company culture.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates try to impress by claiming they always work very long hours, but cannot describe concrete outcomes. Others show too little flexibility by insisting they will never adjust their schedule. To avoid these extremes, highlight both your normal productive routine and your willingness to be flexible when it truly matters.

Final Answer:
The best response is to say that you typically work a full productive day, are flexible when needed for deadlines, and focus on results rather than just counting hours.