A job without flexible working hours

bazingamo

Hey folks

So I've been working in academia 7 years or so and have learn how I work best at what times and combined this with a very easy going and supportive boss, I pretty much work whatever hours I need to/want. I guess that's the beauty of academia eh...even if the hours are sometimes very long.

So, I'm coming to the end of my contract, applying for jobs and hoping for interviews. Do you think a good answer to the 'what is your weakness' question is, that I've never worked strict 9-5, and aside from the days I've had meetings etc I come to the office when I like/leave when I need to and never had to tell my boss when I'm working from home. In my head the idea of being reprimanded if I get to work five minutes late in a non academic workplace makes me shudder!

jackieblack

bazingamo wrote: »

Do you think a good answer to the 'what is your weakness' question is, that I've never worked strict 9-5, and aside from the days I've had meetings etc I come to the office when I like/leave when I need to and never had to tell my boss when I'm working from home.

Er, no.
That's not a good answer.

bristol_pilot

Anything to do with timekeeping is a bad answer to that question.

fruitedeli

bazingamo wrote: »

very easy going and supportive boss

Why didn't he renew your contract if that's the case?

tomtontom

In an interview context a negative quality is something you could also put a positive slant on - being a stickler for detail. Your example is just negative!

getmore4less

sector will make a big difference some are very flexible some are more rigid

You may want to look at self employment/contracting where you have the control but need to deliver.

ohreally

Do you feel you're suited to work?

19lottie82

fruitedeli wrote: »

Why didn't he renew your contract if that's the case?

It doesn't work like that in academia. Grants will be awarded for studies which last a certain length of time and that's it. If there is funding for a new project at the end of that, great. And if there isn't......

One of the downsides of being able to come in / go home when you like!

mountainofdebt

bazingamo wrote: »

Hey folks

Do you think a good answer to the 'what is your weakness' question is, that I've never worked strict 9-5, and aside from the days I've had meetings etc I come to the office when I like/leave when I need to and never had to tell my boss when I'm working from home. In my head the idea of being reprimanded if I get to work five minutes late in a non academic workplace makes me shudder!

How on earth is that a weakness?

An answer to that sort of question is one where you basically say I know I'm carp at X but this is how I don't get my !!!!! kicked because of it.

sulphate

No don't mention this.

The weakness question should ideally be answered by you confessing to a weakness that you are currently improving/put a positive spin on it/make it seem positive in some way i.e. you have previously found that pressure at work is stressful but have combatted this by going on a time management course recently etc.

agrinnall

You say you've been in your job for 7 years. In that case, does this apply?

The limit on renewing a fixed-term contract

Any employee on fixed-term contracts for 4 or more years will automatically become a permanent employee, unless the employer can show there is a good business reason not to do so.
However, an employer and unions (or a staff association) may make a collective agreement that removes the automatic right to become a permanent employee in these circumstances.


https://www.gov.uk/fixed-term-contracts/renewing-or-ending-a-fixedterm-contract