Not sure where this one fits in (passion? commitment?) but having a candidate mention that they "don't do overtime... ever" half-way through an interview when nothing has been mentioned about over-time is a serious turn-off.
Sure - people have families and not everyone is geared up for 18-hour work days - but sometimes the sky is falling and companies need an employee that isn't going to disappear out the door at 5:01 PM when the place is burning with a "well that's me for today! good luck guys!"
If a candidate says they are 'never' willing to work overtime, they are probably in the wrong business. I can't say I've ever had someone tell me never. Most engineers understand that there are going to be at least some support or production situations that need to be addressed beyond standard biz hours. I wouldn't say that is passion or commitment - having some expectation of at least occasional overtime is probably just a minimum requirement.
There is a good chance the candidate has been burned in the past by too many instances of 'the sky is falling' or 'I need this tomorrow for no good reason' types of overtime and isn't willing to be taken advantage again.
I haven't really ever been required to work overtime but I've always emailed my boss before I left for the day to ask if there was anything else he needed before I took off for the day. I don't want to work overtime, or like it, but will if something needs to be done. I don't like the culture where everyone sits at there desk for an extra 15 minutes because they are afraid to be the first one to leave.
Overtime should be reserved for emergencies, not for demonstrating passion or commitment.
Just to clarify, if someone stayed late to fix something on Tuesday and then clocked off early on Wednesday in lieu, would that count as overtime in your definition?
I would venture a guess that someone like that has worked at a place where overtime wasn't 'required' explicitly, but was required implicitly (think the gag with the 'flare' at Chotchkie's in Office Space). Sometimes people have an extreme response to being in an extreme situation.
Overtime is fine, as long as it is paid. At least, this is how I've tended to operate. The ones for whom I feel are the ones stuck in salaried positions where unpaid overtime is the way of things, and is even expected. I never complain when offered overtime, because I see it as an opportunity if I'm getting paid to do it.
Sure - people have families and not everyone is geared up for 18-hour work days - but sometimes the sky is falling and companies need an employee that isn't going to disappear out the door at 5:01 PM when the place is burning with a "well that's me for today! good luck guys!"