How much should overtime matter when choosing an engineering employer?
How much weight to give overtime should depend on your health needs, personal circumstances, preferred way of working, and priorities relative to the work itself and compensation. Look beyond average hours: check the frequency of busy periods, overtime pay, weekend work, and schedule flexibility, and consider whether the working pattern would be sustainable for you.
Key points
- Check differences by department, role, and busy season rather than relying only on a monthly average.
- Clarify fixed-overtime arrangements, payment for additional hours, weekend work, and schedule flexibility.
- Balance the work itself, development opportunities, and compensation with a working style you can sustain long term.
Things to check
- Actual overtime can differ within the same company by department, role, and season, so confirm the specifics through official information and, where possible, information sessions or interviews.