Timezone overlap, explained.

Why overlap matters

Remote employers ask for overlap so meetings can happen, questions get answered the same day and handovers are clean. What they want most is predictability: knowing when you will be there.

Know the numbers

Most African countries are between UTC+0 and UTC+3. That gives a full working-day overlap with the UK and most of Europe, and a few hours with the US East Coast. US West Coast roles usually mean evening work.

Europe and the US change their clocks in March/April and October/November; most African countries do not. Your overlap shifts by an hour twice a year.

Write your hours in UTC

UTC is the one timezone everyone can convert from. "Available 07:00–16:00 UTC" is clearer than "Lagos time" to a recruiter in Toronto. Put it on your CV, your Tamborin profile and your email signature.

Be honest about late hours

If a role needs four hours with US Pacific time, that means late nights from most of Africa. Some people thrive on it; many burn out. Ask whether the overlap is daily or only on certain days, and look for roles marked "Any timezone" if it does not suit you.

Read more in what employers mean by timezone overlap.