When to mention pre-booked holiday?

JDC14

I have a couple of interviews coming up and I was wondering when to mention I have pre-booked holidays.

I am available for immediate start which is an advantage, but before the end of the year I have 2 city breaks booked.

One in Barcelona this month, where I fly out first thing Friday morning, and fly back Sunday evening, so would be just one day off. But then I'm not sure how the companies work over Xmas/NYE and I have 3 days over NYE booked to an expensive hotel in London.

These were booked when working for my previous company, so I would've had the time off as they shutdown over Xmas/NYE period (20th-6th was planned for this year).

But is this something I should mention at the interview for them to consider? (Which I think is best).

or would it be better to wait until they've offered the job and then say "Oh I need these days off by the way" before I've actually accrued any holiday.

I'm okay with the fact that they may say, oh that means you've used all the holiday you'll accrue this year and can't take any until 2013, I won't be wanting any until June-Aug time when I'll be booking a summer holiday.

Torry_Quine

I would say you should mention at interview. Most employers ask if you have any planned holidays and will honour them if you tell them. However if you leave it until the jobe offer they may not be so obliging. You could have to take the time as un-paid leave if you haven't accrued the time off.

InsideInsurance

If you want them guaranteed then you cant do it after accepting the offer.

Depending on what exactly the role is should give you a reasonable idea of when peaks are and if holidays are likely to be a problem.

Personally I tend to wait until I receive an offer and say then before accepting it. I dont want to put anything negative in their mind that may give another candidate the slight edge over me.

Obviously if they ask then you have to answer

JDC14

I've never been asked in an interview before about pre-booked holiday/arrangements.

Always made the effort to mention it myself when they talk about holiday entitlement.

MissSarah1972

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I would say you should mention at interview. Most employers ask if you have any planned holidays and will honour them if you tell them. However if you leave it until the jobe offer they may not be so obliging. You could have to take the time as un-paid leave if you haven't accrued the time off.

I have never been asked about holidays but maybe I would tell them when they offer me an interview if I had some booked.

getmore4less

Make them a condition of accepting any offers.

if it is obvious at interview there is a no holidays policy for periods(eg retail over xmas) then you have to consider if you give hints like does this apply to any pre booked holidays.

Also if there are any training/project requirements that may restrict time off you may need to consider them, delayed start may be an option.

JDC14

I'm not doing a delayed start until after the holidays, that would be into 2013.

I hate being unemployed. Sure I can play a lot of FIFA, but I end up playing 3-4 games, then job hunting for a few hours.

Even went for a walk yesterday, think it's making me old before my time.

humptynumpter

someone I know told a prospective employer in the interview they had holidays the following month after the job started. They were phoned to be told that if they didnt take the holiday the job offer was there for them. £3,000 holiday or a job???

i would always say up front. it saves the embarressment of being offered the job and then losing it.