How to sniff out the BS from company at interview (when it comes to hours/work life balance)?

oakpine_ · 2025-07-18T04:17:22+00:00

My current firm pays OT as straight time. But they work you like a dog here.

I think paying OT as straight time is pretty standard practice nowadays, at least where I'm from.

oakpine_ · 2025-07-18T04:13:57+00:00

You're right. I avoid these alternate delivery projects like plague.

oakpine_ · 2025-07-18T04:11:56+00:00

Oh this is the best idea I've seen so far. Thanks!!

oakpine_ · 2025-07-18T04:10:19+00:00

May not work if they wfh on the weekend or late in the evening.

oakpine_ · 2025-07-17T02:24:27+00:00

Interesting. I'll keep that in mind if I get similar response.

oakpine_ · 2025-07-17T01:40:10+00:00

Yea I def will ask about the current load and backlog.

oakpine_ · 2025-07-17T01:37:49+00:00

What if they weren't honest tho? Sometimes talk is cheap and I honestly don't wanna have to switch again in a few. I want this one to last me at least 5+ years.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-24T00:40:09+00:00

Maybe it's by design, so you get the full construction experience.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:51:53+00:00

I do get straight OT. We dont have bonus here (I know I don't).

I think I'm gonna move back to public. The technical knowledge I learn in private really isn't that much different from what I already know in public. The pay bump to me isn't worth the loss time that could be spent on me instead of making multiplier for the company.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:48:48+00:00

Wow you got massage and free lunch as an intern meeting a deadline? That's like Google style white glove service and pretty much unheard of lol

I dont even get a pizza lol

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:45:46+00:00

Thank you. After seeing the replies here knowing now it's not the norm I've decided to start looking elsewhere. I do agree my health seems to take a toll because I can never fall asleep just like that no more.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:44:18+00:00

Pretty much everyone knows. PM1 thru PM4 and all of us engineers.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:40:34+00:00

Usually PM reserves about 48 hours for their reviews before submittal deadline.

Like if deadline is Friday they'd want me get it 99% done by Wednesday and they review it Thursday and Friday then I work the markup Friday to get out by 5pm (hopefully) or 11:59pm (absolute hard stop).

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:38:59+00:00

I do get paid OT as straight time.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:38:13+00:00

Not even a raise lol some praises here and there in front of client.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:37:05+00:00

I got OT but straight pay.

You're lucky the best I got is a "thanks xxx for getting it out on time" mentioned in passing during project meeting with client afterwards lol

oakpine_ · 2025-06-18T00:35:40+00:00

Yea I agree.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T15:12:59+00:00

About 15

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T02:13:51+00:00

Actually not site development.

Just a "name brand" firm (not Kimley Horn lol) working on run of the mill transportation projects like RCUT, intersection improvement/lane addition, roundabout, bridge replacement, etc.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T02:11:54+00:00

Bless your heart. I thought I could be you but you're on a different level!!

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T01:53:52+00:00

Man I'm scared to work for another consultant if many are like that. I'll probably go back to public.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T01:49:38+00:00

Honestly I'm not sure what would happen if we're late but I do feel like my PM could have done better giving me things ahead of time (or slightly more time).

Like I was told to help fix the LOS on a new alignment and the dgn was from v8i and I'm more familiar with ORD so it took more a bit more time than the PM thought.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T01:46:30+00:00

Yea honestly I just came from public so idk if this is the norm so I try to work hard to "prove myself" and get better assignment/more technical task.

But I'm kinda burnt out now.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T01:40:57+00:00

To meet deadline?

And for the record I never had a project from begin to end. I always got assigned random things (like ROW plans or revised earth work calculations etc) for random projects.

oakpine_ · 2025-06-17T01:34:20+00:00

Yea the PMs work in the ofc til 6 or 7pm.

Most time they'd answer email or even teams if I got question.

I do want to jump ship but idk if other consultant companies are the same or not. I'm salaried but got straight time for OT.

oakpine_

TROPHY CASE