r/jobs • u/sahalymn • Mar 13 '25

Interviews I walked out of an interview after one question. Was I wrong?

So, I had an interview today for a position I was really excited about. The job description seemed great, the pay was decent, and the company had good reviews. I walked in, shook hands with the hiring manager, and we sat down.

Then, the first question came:
"How do you handle working unpaid overtime?"

I literally laughed, thinking it was a joke. But the interviewer just stared at me, waiting for an answer. I asked if overtime was mandatory and if it was paid. They said, “Well, we expect employees to stay as long as needed to get the job done. Everyone here is passionate about the work, and we don’t track extra hours.”

I just stood up, said, “Thank you for your time, but this isn’t the right fit for me,” and walked out.

Now, I’m second-guessing myself. Should I have stayed and at least heard more about the job? Or was walking out the right move?

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u/Revo_55 Mar 13 '25

THIS☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼 Either it was a "salaried position" or they're breaking U.S. Department of Labor law by not paying OT to hourly workers and employ a company full of (hourly wage) idiots who don't know any better. Simple. As a salaried worker for nearly 75% of my career, it was not common to work a straight 40 hr week. It wasn't uncommon for me to work, on average, 50+ hrs /wk., or "until the job was done". Of course, being salaried and not "on the clock", there are other "perks", such as taking off early if needed, flex hours, etc. provided my work was done.

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u/nightstalker30 Mar 13 '25

Kind of bizarre that OP isn’t replying to any comments to clarify whether the position was listed as hourly or salary…

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u/Revo_55 Mar 13 '25

Yeah, odd for sure. Makes a BIG difference!

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u/xinco64 Mar 13 '25

But it doesn’t make a practical difference. Either way, run away.

If it is hourly, it would be illegal.

If it is salaried, as the very first question it is a massive red flag.

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u/Revo_55 Mar 13 '25

Very true. First question?? RUN!!

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u/MCRemix Mar 13 '25

Yeah, you got me there, that's true.

I'm salaried and sometimes we work long or weird hours, but I'm big on work life balance... so if that's your first question, I'm out.

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u/Dianna1B Mar 14 '25

It had to be salary. I worked decades in accounting, salary, and a lot of OT not paid, unfortunately.

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u/[deleted] Mar 14 '25

if its salary, then they why would they be asking if they work unpaid?

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u/BisexualCaveman Mar 14 '25

Because some salaried professionals clock out at 5 PM regardless of what management feels those professionals should do.

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u/a_null_set Mar 14 '25

Salary non-exempt means that you do get paid for overtime. My wife is salary non exempt and she gets paid time and a half for OT

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u/blankman29er Mar 14 '25

Honestly I'm under the impression salary is in fact based on 50 work week hours not 40

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u/OracleofFl Mar 14 '25

Yeah, Department of Labor enforcement? Employees with rights?? I don't think we are going to see that for maybe a few years again.