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 red 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 than 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).
