Just got an email saying that I've been selected for a telephone interview for either Wednesday afternoon or Friday morning. The only problem is I'm in work both days. Now the role is near enough perfect so I don't want to pass up the chance to interview. Apart from obviously requesting Thursday (I'm off) for the interview, if that's not possible, any ideas on what would be the best way to go about getting time off at such short notice, especially when it's for something like this?
Telephone interview - but working
- Thread starter Azza
- Start date
What are your current employers like? I had one the other day and they just let me book a meeting room.
Not sure what else to suggest apart from pulling a sicky, being honest of booking leave late using a "family" excuse.
Not sure what else to suggest apart from pulling a sicky, being honest of booking leave late using a "family" excuse.
Soldato
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Speak to your employers and state that you have a telephone interview. Request that you take the time as holiday pay or you'll work the hours back.
I took a telephone interview at work, just went to a quiet area and got on with it. Lasted less than an hour so I skipped lunch and stayed over a bit. Simples.
I took a telephone interview at work, just went to a quiet area and got on with it. Lasted less than an hour so I skipped lunch and stayed over a bit. Simples.
I would contact the potential new employer first to see if an interview can be arranged for Thursday, if that is a non starter I would use a doctors/dentists appointment as cover and just hope they don't ask for proof from either.
My last resort would be to tell my current employer I am wanting to use the time for an interview somewhere else.
My last resort would be to tell my current employer I am wanting to use the time for an interview somewhere else.
Depends wether you want your current employers to know that you are applying for other jobs. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I have always thought your employer had to give you time off to attend an interview (not paid obviously)???
Depends on your (line) manager I guess. Sometimes it's better to just be honest, say the job isn't for you, and that you're looking elsewhere.
Maybe they'll make it more appealing to you, reassign work elsewhere, you never know.
My manager atm would be disheartened to learn that I was looking for somewhere else, but they'd let me have the interview time.
Maybe they'll make it more appealing to you, reassign work elsewhere, you never know.
My manager atm would be disheartened to learn that I was looking for somewhere else, but they'd let me have the interview time.
Soldato
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Sorry but I don't agree with lying to your line management about having alternative appoinments. What benefit does that bring? Be honest. You're already looking for work by the looks of things, so the added benefit could be that your existing place give you some sort of counter offer.
Or find a reason to sack you?
The benefit being they do not know you are looking to leave?
Soldato
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I am pretty sure that is only the case if you are going to be made redundant.
Soldato
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Find a reason to sack you because you're exploring other opportunities? Really?
What is there to hide about looking for other opportunities? People always look for careers or jobs with more money, more interesting, better location etc. So why is it something you feel you need to hide? It's not exactly something to be ashamed by, and if they value you, they will want to know what they can do to keep you.
What is there to hide about looking for other opportunities? People always look for careers or jobs with more money, more interesting, better location etc. So why is it something you feel you need to hide? It's not exactly something to be ashamed by, and if they value you, they will want to know what they can do to keep you.
Associate
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Depends how you get ok with your employer. I would have thought most places wouldn't be happy knowing you are actively looking for work elsewhere as they want commitment. If you get on well with them then tell them. If you think they will get the hump and treat you differently then pull a sicky
Looking for other jobs even to better your prospects would tell narrow minded bosses that you're not giving your all to your current work. I've known someone to be fired when she openly said she was looking for another job. As soon as management heard they started adding up all her mistakes and found every reason they could to sack her.
If you think going for a counter offer from current employer would be an idea then I would wait until you have a solid job offer before letting them know.
If you think going for a counter offer from current employer would be an idea then I would wait until you have a solid job offer before letting them know.
I agree with you that I don't think many employers would unscrupulously look to sack employees looking for alternative employment, but I can't help but think their view would be tainted from that point on.
I know they "shouldn't" but why would they provide opportunities, training or desirable work or benefits to someone they know isn't happy or on their way out of the door?
That in mind, as an employee why would you want to jeopardise that until you absolutely have to? i.e at the point you have secured a job offer?
I'm loyal to the company I'm working for, but at the same time I'm not totally naive about it. As you rightly say, if you're going to use work time for an interview then pay it back and even the books but if it means telling a white lie to keep the status quo in the event of an unsuccessful application then I think it's worth while.
Could only do those days so gone for Friday morning. Now I need to formulate a plan. To be honest I doubt my current employer would be surprised that I was looking for work, but even so I don't think they'd be best pleased about it.
Soldato
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When I did my telephone interviews (about 4) I just booked a meeting room and walked away from my desk for 30minutes or so.
Came back and no-one realised I was even gone
Came back and no-one realised I was even gone
Feign tooth ache for the week. Try and get an appointment for Friday for dentist for real (checkup). Ask for dentist note. If you have a time for interview try and get the dentist appointment afterwards and if its early enough just ask if your company wouldn't mind you coming in a bit late that day. Just say Friday was the only one you could get.