Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was in an interview, and the interviewer asked "how do you feel about working overtime in a salaried position?"
He then went on to say "we work hard" and that he has been putting in a lot of hours, but they are "trying to fix that" and "getting better". In fact, this position will be, in part, to help lighten his workload.
I said I am used to working overtime, which is true. I have generally averaged 2 hours extra per day, or about 50 hours a week. I occasionally work from home in the evenings or on the weekends. I'm ok with that, but I don't want a job that requires me to work 80 hours a week. It's a small company, so there really isn't any data online from former employees.
So any way to assess the requirements without asking the weenie question of "how much is expected?"
Maybe something like "What would an average week entail?"
I don't think that's a weenie question. You're interviewing them just as much as they're interviewing you. Keep in mind, this is a place that you're going to spend 40+ hours a week at. Do you want to regret not asking the tough questions?
You should have said something along the lines of "I look forward to working overtime to help boost the productivity of the company, I'm not the type of person who only expects to work 9-5 if there's work to be done."
BS like your life depended on it.
Just simply saying you're used to overtime makes them think you hate it (but just dealt with in the past) and they'll inconvenience you if they ask you to work overtime, while they need someone they can depend on putting in the overtime.
That said, I would be direct with asking how much the average overtime can I expect without getting into the specifics, and just say something like "On average, how much overtime do your employees put in?"
I see nothing wrong with that, they should be glad to answer it, and without getting into the specifics you'll also get an idea of how much overtime you can expect.
You should have said something along the lines of "I look forward to working overtime to help boost the productivity of the company, I'm not the type of person who only expects to work 9-5 if there's work to be done."
BS like your life depended on it.
Just simply saying you're used to overtime makes them think you hate it (but just dealt with in the past) and they'll inconvenience you if they ask you to work overtime, while they need someone they can depend on putting in the overtime.
That said, I would be direct with asking how much the average overtime can I expect without getting into the specifics, and just say something like "On average, how much overtime do your employees put in?"
I see nothing wrong with that, they should be glad to answer it, and without getting into the specifics you'll also get an idea of how much overtime you can expect.
Most people would smell that BS a mile away. People don't like to work overtime. That is pretty much understood and expected.
But I agree with you that it is a very fair question to ask about how much overtime.
Most people would smell that BS a mile away. People don't like to work overtime. That is pretty much understood and expected.
But I agree with you that it is a very fair question to ask about how much overtime.
I agree. I don't like my current situation, but I might really dislike a situation where 80 hours was expected. I'm going back for the second interview on Friday. If it comes up, I'll phrase it as suggested. If not, I'll try to gauge the situation as best I can.
I agree. I don't like my current situation, but I might really dislike a situation where 80 hours was expected. I'm going back for the second interview on Friday. If it comes up, I'll phrase it as suggested. If not, I'll try to gauge the situation as best I can.
In this market it's standared to work a lot of overtime it seems. From your first post it seemed the interviewer was telling you in a subtle way that you will be working your arse off...
But if you need the job I would just do the best you can ( trust me on this small companies do the most with the least amount of workers).
I'd tell them (in an indirect way) that I value efficiency and I will take on overtime to meet deadlines but I will never take on overtime to give an impression of working hard for long hours when there isn't much work to be done.
There is no "overtime" for salaried employees..Now, if you are taking about longer hours , nights and weekends thats different.
I would personally be ok with the occasional assist on that but not regularly since my family is first.
I used to give the answers I thought employers wanted to hear; then I realized I had no life.
At my last interview I was asked how Ifelt about it and I said I didn't like it, I jealously covet (exact quote) my weekends, and I do not like to be at the office late. Basically if it can't get done inside a 40-hour work week, someone's not doing their job right, aside from the occasional crunch.
I got the job.
I also leave at 4pm every day.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
