How Long Will You Work Here & What's Your Availability

 Always say you intend to stay with the company long term.

They do not want to go through the hiring processes multiple times, unless it's their decision to lay people off at their pace. Remember you are under no contract to stay forever. You can always leave if you have other obligations in a few months and can't stay.

When asked about your availability really think about what times you truly can and can't work vs. times you prefer not to work. Know where you have a hard line drawn on your availability, and if you are willing to let go of potential opportunities due to the schedule you want to keep. For instance, I am unwilling to work a split shift unless I am desperate for full time work. I was also unwilling to give Six Flags full availability because I did not want to have a schedule where I worked until 3a.m and needed to be back at 10 a.m. to work again. If this was an absolute requirement, I was willing to not take the opportunity and instead wait until I got a different job where they closed at reasonable hours. 

Now that you know what hours and days you can work, have a solid excuse ready if you have certain days/ hours you do not want to be working. You want to have an excuse ready in case you are asked about it. For instance, if you say you are available Monday- Friday during afternoons the manager may ask why you can not work weekends. Here is an example of what NOT to say.

DO NOT SAY: "I don't like to work the weekends because I like to rest"

This answer implies a lower amount of flexibility and motivation to employers.

HERE IS WHAT TO SAY IF YOU CAN WORK WEEKENDS BUT JUST DON'T PREFER IT

"I am available Monday through Friday in the afternoon and I can also work on weekends. I do prefer to have Sundays off because I have a single mom. She likes to spend time with me on her day off and needs help with the kids. However, I am willing to work that day to accommodate business needs. It would just be great if that is something we can possibly work around here or if I could get a few Sundays off in the month"

IF YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WORK A PARTICULAR DAY (KEEP IT SIMPLE AND GIVE A GOOD REASON)

"I am super flexible with my schedule. The only day I can't work is Sunday. None of my other siblings or parents are home to watch the kids then."

" I am pretty available, but on Sundays I do not have access to the car. So, I can't work then"

Take the time to research companies that can better accommodate your scheduling needs. For instance, if you want to be guaranteed Sundays off you can apply to Chick Fil A, Hobby Lobby or Crumbl Cookie. If you only want to work Monday- Friday look for a business that is only open throughout the week. If you do not want to work evenings look into a bakery like Noah's bagels which closes in the afternoon. If you like having holidays off look into city jobs. You can also call managers at the time you are looking for work to ask them what availability they are looking for  and decide if you wish to move forward with applying. Remember you often can change your availability after having the job for a while.