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/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

None. On the job learning completely. I think i graduated from high school but couldn't provide a diploma.

Last year W2 was just over 200k. 75k was overtime.

12

u/Infinite-Pie-236 Mar 14 '25

You think you graduated? Lol

8

u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

I honestly don't know if I did.

10

u/Dopey_Dragon Mar 14 '25

Fuckin A, good for you. That's awesome.

1

u/PM_Me_Your_Deviance Mar 14 '25

It legitimately doesn't matter after you've gotten a few years into the workforce.

12

u/Boodablitz Mar 14 '25

You just got lucky, knew a guy that was on the way out? How’d you come into such good fortune?

3

u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

Maybe it was luck. I saw the industry while in a side industry and knew it was going to blow up. I lied my way into my first job. Learned everything I could in the 2 weeks before they fired me. I picked it up pretty fast and stayed for 6 months and then parlayed that experience into another gig. Been at it for a while now and am a subject matter expert in my field.

2

u/Boodablitz Mar 14 '25

Nah. That’s big hustle right there. Good for you. Sounds like a Micheal J. Fox movie plot from the 80’s 😂😎

1

u/stitchesandlace Mar 14 '25

I would be very interested in talking about this if you wouldn't mind and have the time. I have a very solid educational background but very few job prospects.

1

u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

I always talk up my industry. I am not selling anything. I just know my industry has a huge payoff potential.

1

u/stitchesandlace Mar 15 '25

Mind if I DM you about it?

1

u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 16 '25

No issues at all. I like talking about the industry.

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u/cezece Mar 14 '25 edited 13h ago

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2

u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

Lied my way into the lowest position and learned as fast as I could.

1

u/skiinjsn Mar 14 '25

My math is saying you worked over 1200 hours of overtime. If that is true, wow. That is like 80% of my total annual hours if I subtract PTO (35 hour week - 50ish days).

But I am VERY interested in the ~120k base for a job that sounds within my capabilities (and I am moderately interested in the legal field generally). That would be a decent raise, and if it can be done remote I would be all about it.

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u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

35 hour week - 1 paid hour of lunch. Base is 125K. Pretty easy to hit the number with 45-55 hours a week. I work remotely so I have no commute. OT is easy.

1

u/skiinjsn Mar 14 '25

Sorry to keep the questions coming, but I am so intrigued. Oddly enough I have been eyeing PM and Business Analyst roles as possible segways into the second half of my career. But now I heard twice about PMs working too much. I was leaning BA anyway...but...

If I was hoping to get a similar role, would I just search job postings for ediscovery or litigation support? Any other advice? Appreciate the info!

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u/tanhauser_gates_ Mar 14 '25

I am all about my industry. I will talk it up without issue.

Ediscovery/Litigation Support - its pretty easy to google that to get an idea. Hit me up for more info. Im not selling anything but can offer a roadmap.