Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

In an interview, what is the best way to ask about the hours expected?

I am an attorney and I have an idea what to expect at large law firms... However, I have no idea what to expect for some of the in-house positions available and even at some of the smaller law firms. I want to find a way to ask "Exactly how much overtime is expected?" without coming off as someone who is lazy or not willing to pitch in when needed.

Candidly, I will want to weigh lifestyle versus salary in making my ultimate decision to take an offer. There's no offer now, but I have a few promising interviews lined up. My current position morphed from a liveable "busy" to "headed toward burn out" last year. I've been going at an unsustainable pace for too long now. I'm not stranger to (nor am I afraid of) hard work and overtime... but how do I find out if they really expect 8AM - 9PM or if they expect 8 - 6 with the occasional late night?

Again, I don't want to come off as lazy or unwilling to work hard. I'm neither. I do, however, want to make sure that *IF* I decide to make a move, I make a move that is good for me. I have the benefit of a stable, well-paying job, so I don't have any interest in taking a position that doesn't suit what I'm looking for.

Any tips for appropriate ways to ask about this information?

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

I think sometimes the best way to do this is to get some inside information if you know someone in the firm, but otherwise, you could ask things like what are their expectations for the position or how would the responsibilities of the role be broken down during a typical day/week (if this makes sense for the position).

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

I always just ask for them to describe a couple "typical days". I also ask what the hours are that I can enter/stay in the office until. Since I am in a different profession, I also ask about their "on-call" and "weekend/overnight" coverage policies. I don't know if the on-call stuff would apply to you, but I know the second 2 questions always shed some light on how things often operate. I also throw in questions about "team work" and expectations. This often will bring up stuff that goes on, like if they are short-staffed and sometimes (always!) you have to fill in and do everyone elses job.

ETA: I also went on an interview several months ago and asked if I was allowed to do any of my work from home (since my current and last couple of positions allowed that). The woman looked at me like I had 6 heads and told me that violated their privacy policies, and that I would need to stay in the office to do my paperwork until it was completed.


If you can tailor these questions to be more specific to your profession, I think they can help.

Message edited 8/24/2009 8:59:42 PM.

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

Maybe u could say,

"I know this field of work doesn't have 9-5 hours, but what are the hours generally for someone in this position?"

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

I would ask them to run you through a typical day and a typical day suring a busy time(working on a case etc.)

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

I've had this situation come up when I was interviewing last year at different firms. Basically, I asked what the billing requirement was and their expectations of me in terms of billing and then, based upon what their response was, I had an idea of what type of hours I would be putting in. Let's face it, if they have a 2200 hour billing requirement to qualify for bonus you are putting long hours. Then, after they told me the hours, I would ask, point blank, what type of daily hours are the associates in the same position putting in? I also asked them if weekends were mandated or expected.

Truthfully, it didn't seem to me that anyone took me as being lazy, just moreso me wanting to know what I was getting into. Also, on most occasions, they asked me what my current work day was like in terms of my hours. When I told them, they would either not respond (as that seemed normal) or they would say we expect more here/we don't require that type of time here.

I don't know what type of firms you are interviewing with but I used to work at a medium sized firm and I now work at a small firm. I also deal with in-house counsel all the time so if you have more specific questions, feel free to FM. Good luck!

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

The problem with asking about billable hours requirements is that they aren't IME indicative of what the lifestyle of a firm is really like. My firm has a 2,000 hour requirement. I'm going to bill 2,600 hours this year -- and not because I want to.

Certainly, though, I agree that's a starting point for firms. Like you said, if they have 2,200 hours as their billables requirement, then it's going to be insane.

What about in-house positions, though?

legallyblonde, I will take you up on your FM offer. Thanks!

Some people I have spoken to think that I'm overthinking it and that asking about the expected hours (especially for an in-house gig) is just part of the interview process. I'm sort of on the fence about it, though, especially in my profession. I see their point, though.

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

Besides the "Please describe a typical day" question, if they give you the opportunity to interview with a peer, I would ask them to describe their work/life balance. I always found I got more realistic answers from the peer than the hiring manager.

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected

Re: Interview question -- asking about overtime / hours expected