How do you get to interviews when you work?

GlasweJen

We aren't allowed time off for the doctor, you have to apply for a day off as per the policy I outlined on the last page. If it's an emergency appointment then you take the day off sick.

There's a reason I'm currently off sick with stress.

50_Pence

I may be in a similar position soon. The company can’t tell me what dates they will be holding interviews else I would have booked time off just in case. I know from previous experience that they offer interviews at short notice; last time they gave me just over 24 hours’ notice, so I wasn’t able to attend.

SeduLOUs wrote: »

If you ask for a medical appointment or unpaid leave and they say no then your screwed, because if you then phone in sick as a last resort it will be blindingly obvious you are pulling a fast one because you'd already asked and been refused that day.

This is what I am worried about. I don’t know whether to even ask my employer for time off.

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

Also be prepared for the prospective employer to ask how you got the time off for the interview

Missu wrote: »

If you take a sick day and then you were offered the job, be prepared for your manager asking when you went for the interview. You need a reference so you don't want to be caught out.

Have these two things ever actually happened to anyone?

SeduLOUs wrote: »

Even if the old boss suspected you'd phoned in sick for an interview they wouldn't dare put it in a reference anyway as its far too risky - references have to be factual and they have to be able to back it up so they'd have to be totally mental to take that kind of risk over a member of staff who has already left.

Could they not includes the dates that I was “off sick” in my reference, thereby letting my prospective employer know that I had taken a sickie to attend an interview with them?

Sorry for all the quotes but you’ve given me a lot to think about!

[Deleted User]

silverwhistle wrote: »

If I were you I'd contact them again expressing your continued interest but difficulty on the interview front (because you are such a conscientious employee:D) and try and arrange a better time.

Happy to say nearly 6 months later, do you know what, the job has come back up again, I re-applied and been offered the interview again! ..this time around I'm free as a bird to attend!!

Elfbert

I've always been lucky enough to get a day off for interviews.

I generally think it's very dodgy for a company trying to employ you to want you to mess your current employer about though! Is it what they'd want done to them??

I would explain to the people offering the interview that you really want to attend, but that your current company is very short staffed and you cannot get time off. Offer to meet them out of hours, on a weekend, in another location - anything to get them to understand you're willing to make the effort. You can even pull the 'I'm sure you understand - you wouldn't want someone pulling a sickie to attend an interview if they worked for you, would you?' type thing.

Good luck.

[Deleted User]

50_Pence wrote: »

I may be in a similar position soon. The company can’t tell me what dates they will be holding interviews else I would have booked time off just in case. I know from previous experience that they offer interviews at short notice; last time they gave me just over 24 hours’ notice, so I wasn’t able to attend.

Hate to say it, you might be best asking in advance for a start date of the role, those unlikely to budge on interview slots or arrange interviews at very short notice are sometimes looking simply for someone to start straight away so therein lies another problem... there is often a reason why and it's worse to get to an interview to learn that why whilst risking the job you do have if there is no way around it


I made a fool of myself few months back when employed, accepted interview, pushed for it to be delayed by 24 hours, arrived to interview to find they needed someone to start like next day, needless to say I wasn't successful, a real pity as doubt they would consider me now having used and wasted an interview opportunity, but now in an ideal position! goes to show sometimes better to cancel.

50_Pence

Thanks Keepcalm, that's a good point. I'll ask them if they offer me an interview-I don't want to seem anything but keen until then. Although I am hopeful that my current company won't make me work my full notice period.


Good luck with the interview. Let us know how you get on!