Job Searching/Interviews whilst working full time

piggeh

I currently work a 9-5 job 5 days a week in an office. I work in the role that I want to pursue as a career but my optinos at work currently are fairly limiting, so I've started to look elsewhere and with my CV being bang up to date and focussed on where I want to go, I am confident that I'll be lined up for quite a few interviews.

However, I don't know how I am going to get the time off work to go to them without work cottoning on to what's happening. They have been fairly good to me over the years so I don't want to annoy them and if the interviews didnt work out I'd like to be in a good position at pay review time (ie I dont want them thinking I'm not committed!)

Does anyone have any tips as to what to say or how you get time off for interviews?

Sola

I usually arrange interviews for early morning, lunchtime or after work. If the interviewing company is prepared to work with me to try and find a convenient time, all well and good - if they're not, I look elsewhere.

Zazen999

What Sola said...

piggeh

True. Will put the ball back in their court a little! Thanks.

Phirefly

The office I work in is very close-knit and if you so much as ask the time you get 10 different opinions. You can't get up and go to the loo without it causing speculation.

Since autumn 2007 I've been to about 6 or 7 interviews. I've also set up as freelance and started my business while working full time. Since Christmas, I've been working full time freelance hours on top of my full time job and had to deal with my freelance clients during office hours. All this without my full time employers getting so much as a sniff and my full-time work not suffering.

Its been MENTAL and sometimes I've almost come a cropper, but I've tried to stay 100% focussed and somehow trained my brain to make sure I remain completely steady and organised. If you keep your eyes on the prize, you'll find a way. I've had to become a horrid fibber too, but I promise I'll be squeeky clean from now on!