Human Answer
TRAPS:
If you’ve had a problem, you can’t lie. You could easily be found out. Yet admitting an attendance problem could raise many flags.
BEST ANSWER:
If you have had no problem, emphasize your excellent and consistent attendance record throughout your career. Also describe how important you believe such consistent attendance is for a key executive…why it’s up to you to set an example of dedication…and why there’s just no substitute for being there with your people to keep the operation running smoothly, answer questions and handle problems and crises as they arise.
If you do have a past attendance problem, you want to minimize it, making it clear that it was an exceptional circumstance and that it’s cause has been corrected.
To do this, give the same answer as above but preface it with something like, “Other that being out last year (or whenever) because of (your reason, which is now in the past), I have never had a problem and have enjoyed an excellent attendance record throughout my career. Furthermore, I believe, consistent attendance is important because…” (Pick up the rest of the answer as outlined above.).
ChatGPT Answer
When answering the question "Have you been absent from work more than a few days in any previous position?" in an interview, it's important to be honest and provide specific examples of any absences you've had, along with an explanation for why they were necessary.
It's also important to highlight any steps you took to ensure that your responsibilities were covered during your absence, and how you kept in communication with your team and manager. For example, you could say something like: "I have been absent from work a few times in previous positions, but only for reasons that were beyond my control. For example, I had a serious illness that required me to take some time off for medical treatment and recovery. I made sure to keep my manager and team informed of my situation and provided them with a clear plan for coverage during my absence. I also made sure to stay in touch and keep them updated on my progress, and I made sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as I returned." Another example: "I have been absent from work a few times in previous positions, but always for personal or family reasons. For example, I had to take care of my child who was ill, I had to take my elderly parent to the hospital for a surgery, or I had to attend a family emergency. I always made sure to inform my manager and team in advance and provided them with a clear plan for coverage during my absence. I also made sure to stay in touch and keep them updated, and I made sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as I returned." It's also important to note that you can also highlight any steps you have taken to minimize absences in the future, such as taking care of your health, setting up a support system, or finding flexible work arrangements.