Attending Job Interviews whilst employed?

DRH92

I am currently working 5 days a week and have found some new jobs I wish to apply for. What would be the best way of arranging interviews? Thanks in advance.

phill99

Take a days holiday.

Stylehutz

Each to their own. I try and go outside working hours as don't want to lose any of my holiday time

Fireflyaway

Days holiday is best but if you risk your employer saying no to it then what? Go anyway and get in trouble, or miss the interview? That's why many people call in sick.

[Deleted User]

Call the prospective employer where ever possible to enquire in advance about interview dates? (Moreso when it isn't one of those interview tomorrow next day type jobs clearly!) A lot of big employers may sometimes give up to week's notice anyway.

Late into work? (Not to become a habit though but I did try this in a temp job once instead of quitting outright and then having to rely to much on getting the job of the interview you could have to chose between)

Batting overtime into days off?

Hope you are a favourite when it comes to short notice holiday authorisations?

If working weekends or evenings is an option then offer to work then and have day of during the week - for all my moans I'd say it defo is a perk alone in my current job that my employer is 24/7 and works the way it does.

Also remember best laid plans can go wrong? How many times has someone pre booked the day off to find interviewer then cancels or moves the date!! Lol
Or just simply those interviews you wish you hadn't bothered with.

ohreally

Day or ½ day unpaid leave.

neilio

Arrive late into work one morning, because of a doctor's appointment, dentist appointment, minor emergency at home, etc.

Leave early from work one afternoon, because of a doctor's appointment, dentist appointment, minor emergency at home, etc.

Have the morning off because of a doctor's appointment, dentist appointment, minor emergency at home, etc.

Have the afternoon off because of a doctor's appointment, dentist appointment, minor emergency at home, etc.

Have a slightly longer lunch break one day because of a doctor's appointment or dentist appointment.

Or just work from home one day.

... You get the idea.

In any case, so long as you aren't usually a typical late arriver, early leaver, or long lunch break taker, a lot of employers won't mind the odd bit of flexibility because we all have LIFE to deal with and occasionally that means you have to alter your working hours from time to time.

TBagpuss

Book a day or half a day as holiday. Or ask whether you can work through lunch and leave early.

Do NOT lie. it's fine to say "I'd liketo leave early for a personal errand, is it OK, if I make the time up?" Do not say "I need to leave early for a dentist's apporintment" if you are really going to an interview.

Employers are not daft and if you pretend to be ill they will work it out when you had your notice in and would be entirely free to say so when asked for a reference.

You can also ask the potential employer whther it is possible to arrange the interview after hours. I have attended interviews in evenigns and weekends and have interviewed people after the end of the working day

Mr_Mango

I'm sort of in the same boat as OP. Currently applying for jobs that are in Manchester/Leeds but I'm based in Nottingham currently. Can't stand my current job but unsure about quitting first before freeing myself up to be able to attend x interviews in the North.

ThemeOne

Many companies are able to arrange early or late interviews to accommodate people in your position - for an office that would usually mean something like 0830 or 1700, so you can pass that off as needing to see the doctor / dentist. Even lunchtime can work if you're quite nearby


I suspect if you start booking lots of half day / day leave the current employer might twig what's going on. Of course that might not be a problem.

bargainbetty

Don't quit your job to be available for interviews. If the company you are interviewing with is aware that you will be travelling some distance, they are more likely to be reasonable about allowing sufficient time for you to book a day off. Use the remainder of the day to register with other agencies and make as much use of the face-time as possible!

As much as a person may not want it to cost them holiday time, sorry, this is life. Your personal leave is there for you to be able to take time off for personal needs.