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Comment by goalieca | Hacker News Reader

I make it a point of asking a few questions about hours and project management wherever I interview.

I had an interview once where I asked a manager of an established (10+ years old) company about hours. He expected all employees to put in more than 8 hours most days. I then asked about project scheduling. It seemed to me that there was no slack planned into the releases. Everyone was allocated 110% with no room for slippage.

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That's what happens with weak overtime laws. The movie industry, which is unionized, has an established discipline of film scheduling. That's because overruns are very expensive. Software could have this, but doesn't.

> He expected all employees to put in more than 8 hours most days.

I'd leave the room at that point, indicating that the next interview should be for replacing that persons' position.

No, you want to get a job offer regardless. Having another offer is good negotiating leverage for the job offer you actually want to accept.

It's a bit dangerous to use a job you'd not take under any circumstances as leverage though. It's just like making an alternative offer up. A bluff you might get called on.

You don't say "I'll walk if you don't meet my terms" if you really want the job. But simply mentioning you have another offer can improve the terms you'll get.

How is that any different from making up that you have another offer?

It's way easier to be convincing when it's not a lie.

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