I'm feeling torn about whether to ask directly about overtime expectations. I've been burned before by a "fast-paced environment" turning into 60-hour weeks. But I'm also worried that bringing it up makes me look like I'm watching the clock. How have you handled this in interviews?

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In PA it’s a fair question to ask what the hour ranges are like in busy and non-busy seasons. And depending on office- it’s fair to ask when their busy seasons are as it can vary based on type of clients

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I would definitely just ask directly. Something I have learned is it is better to just be direct and rip the bandaid off. I don't think there is any harm in asking what the OT expectations are.

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I'd ask questions about the company culture and environment. If you hear things like "fast-paced", "family", "hands-on", "results-oriented". You know it's likely not the best. Be indirect but get the information you need to evaluate.

Your expectations for overtime are your own choice; they reflect your standards, skills, and commitment—
not the employer’s demands. Similarly, your value is measured by what you can do and what you choose to expect from yourself. The effort you put in whether in cooking, sleeping, working, or moving quickly when needed is your personal choice. All of these are skills you deploy and control by yourself; no one else, nor any magic or astronomical force, can replace them for you or provide you with free extra large time. Every skill you have good, bad, or ugliest is yours to claim.

You must have goals, and if achieving them requires extra extra large weightful time, it is your responsibility to dedicate the effort needed to reach them...

Oh I definitely asked about it and told them I don't want to work more than 40 hours per week. Helped me weed those companies out.

I think it's fair to ask. Companies who are offended by that question probably require long hours and you don't want to work there anyway, so who cares if they're offended. Companies with a better balance should be happy to use that as a selling point.

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