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AIBU?

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Original poster

Job interview while on holiday

44 replies

Interviewinterview · 07/08/2025 09:36

I have been invited for a job interview but am currently on holiday (out of the country) and will still be away on the date of the interview. I will be back 6 days after the interview date. I contacted them, said I was keen to attend the interview but explained about the holiday dates and asked whether there could be a possibility of rescheduling. However, they have replied to ask whether I would be willing to go ahead with the original interview date over teams. They said the interviewing officers are on leave after the interviews.
I am on a big family holiday (DH, kids, my parents, my brother and his family, visiting other family members) in a place with a 6 hour time difference to the UK. The original interview time was 10.30am (which would be 4.30am here!) although they did say they “could push it back a bit if that helps”. I don’t have my laptop or access to a laptop, only my phone. I have my children here and over the next week we have lots of plans including things like day out at the zoo, plus my own 40th birthday celebrations- a meal, a garden party, a spa day and also a 2 day camping trip (in the wilderness!) with friends and kids- actually leaving on the day of the proposed interview (although technically could request to do the interview 8am my time before leaving for camping which would be 2pm UK time). The interview also involves a ten minute presentation and they request candidates to send their PowerPoint slides in advance.
I just honestly don’t know how I can do this- to have the time to dedicate to preparing for this while on a busy family holiday, to give a good interview over my mobile phone on WiFi with a 6 hour time difference. Especially when I might not even get it and will look back on my family holiday memories and remember DH taking the kids out and me sitting in the hotel preparing for an interview?! However, I desperately want to leave my current job and this opportunity is a good one- I know someone else who has left my job in the last couple of years who is now doing this new role so I know it’s feasible. I have applied for around 15 jobs and so far had one interview, which I was unsuccessful for and now this is my second interview, so I don’t want an opportunity to pass me by. When I think about the work I put into that previous interview though, I really just don’t know how I can feasibly do that now for this one.

I guess the AIBU is: AIBU to think it’s not feasible to prepare for and undertake a job interview while on a busy family holiday on a 6 hour time difference? And if IANBU, then any advice on what to do??

OP posts:
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AirborneElephant · 07/08/2025 12:39

I’ve done it before. 5am is ideal, no-one around in the lobby of the hotel, doesn’t eat into family events. If you want the job I’m afraid you are going to have to make it work unless you want to take the chance that you’re the only viable candidate. For the PowerPoint, it would be absolutely fine by me to send a skeleton explaining that you do not have access to a laptop.

purplecorkheart · 07/08/2025 12:37

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 07/08/2025 10:59

I couldn't be arsed with this and would already resent them. Keep looking

Why on earth would you resent them? It is not their fault the op is away why should they reschedule the interview? They could have just dismissed the op application but instead they offered a interview via Teams.

Whiningatwine · 07/08/2025 12:31

If you want the job then you'll do the interview. You can't expect them to delay the whole process for a week because of your holiday. Realistically they'll be wanting to maybe moving onto second interviews at that point.

NewsdeskJC · 07/08/2025 12:17

Id give it a go.
One of my best hires could not get time off from her role. She interviewed on her phone in the company car park. That showed ingenuity, determination and problem solving.

GAJLY · 07/08/2025 11:45

Similarly happened to me, I had the interview via team and got the job. I think it's worth it! Ask for an afternoon appointment so that you can do it at a more reasonable time!

ClawsandEffect · 07/08/2025 11:33

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 07/08/2025 11:01

More fool you!

Show quote history

Self employment doesn't have holidays.

ilovesooty · 07/08/2025 11:05

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 07/08/2025 10:59

I couldn't be arsed with this and would already resent them. Keep looking

Why would you resent them? It's not their fault the OP is on holiday, and they've offered an online interview.

jbm16 · 07/08/2025 11:05

Not sure it will have that big an impact on your holiday especially if the call is early in the morning before most people are awake, guess it depends how much you want the job.

BreezyPeachGoose · 07/08/2025 11:04

I got my current job having interviewed via WhatsApp (MSTeams failed from their end on the day) via my £300 mobile phone, I was sat on the floor of my basic hotel room in SE Asia hoping the WiFi held out and having blurred my background, the time difference made no difference.

Go for it, you've nothing to loose.

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 07/08/2025 11:01

ClawsandEffect · 07/08/2025 10:25

Of course it's feasible to work on holiday. I worked for 3 hours every morning when on hol recently despite having DC with me.

The question is really whether you want to or not.

More fool you!

MagnificentBastard · 07/08/2025 11:01

I did this a couple of years ago. The time difference was only 5 hours, so it wasn’t problematic. My husband had his laptop with him, so I used that. I’d definitely take a laptop, the presentation aspect needs one.

SitOnHisFaceIfHeDiesHeDies · 07/08/2025 10:59

I couldn't be arsed with this and would already resent them. Keep looking

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 07/08/2025 10:56

Interviewinterview · 07/08/2025 10:37

Ok, I hear everyone loud and clear (well most people).

To answer a few questions:
I didn’t know when the interviews would be.
i received the email inviting me to interview while I was already here.
This is a big, three week long family holiday that has been two years in the planning and has cost a lot of money.
i have been at my current job for 14 years and this is the first time I am applying for an interviewing for new roles in that time so probably not fully up to speed with the whole process.
I am not in Spain, or even Europe or anywhere I could fly home for the interview- it took three connecting flights to get to this location.

Final take away- yes, ok I am going to do it. It’s not ideal to have to spend time on holiday preparing for an interview and I don’t feel I will have the best tools to help me prepare or to carry out the actual interview but ultimately I don’t want the opportunity to pass by.

Best of luck @Interviewinterview

simsbustinoutmimi · 07/08/2025 10:38

You sound like you don’t fancy it (excuses) so I would not do it.

Floofle · 07/08/2025 10:38

If you want the job you need to find a way.
Making a powerpoint is annoying but not impossible (assuming you have a reasonable smartphone!)
Could you borrow a laptop from someone?
Do you have a draft or previous version you could re-use?
As someone else has said, 4:30 sounds horrible but might actually work out well as everyone will be asleep so at least you won't need to worry about keeping them quiet!
Also make them aware and apologise for any formatting errors beforehand!

Original poster
Interviewinterview · 07/08/2025 10:37

Ok, I hear everyone loud and clear (well most people).

To answer a few questions:
I didn’t know when the interviews would be.
i received the email inviting me to interview while I was already here.
This is a big, three week long family holiday that has been two years in the planning and has cost a lot of money.
i have been at my current job for 14 years and this is the first time I am applying for an interviewing for new roles in that time so probably not fully up to speed with the whole process.
I am not in Spain, or even Europe or anywhere I could fly home for the interview- it took three connecting flights to get to this location.

Final take away- yes, ok I am going to do it. It’s not ideal to have to spend time on holiday preparing for an interview and I don’t feel I will have the best tools to help me prepare or to carry out the actual interview but ultimately I don’t want the opportunity to pass by.

OP posts:
Groovee · 07/08/2025 10:25

They obviously still want to go ahead with the interview and you need to consider if you really want the job as you need to consider taking time to do the prep and the interview or if you decline.

ClawsandEffect · 07/08/2025 10:25

Of course it's feasible to work on holiday. I worked for 3 hours every morning when on hol recently despite having DC with me.

The question is really whether you want to or not.

user7638490 · 07/08/2025 10:19

I wouldn’t do this. I couldn’t write a PowerPoint on my phone. When I recruited, I didn’t even attempt it in August, for these reasons. I’d ask to put it back until after the holiday, and if they said no, then I’d accept it’s not the right opportunity for me.

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 07/08/2025 10:15

Unless it was my dream job, or I was desperate for work, I would see it as a sign it wasn't meant to be and would say thanks, but no thanks.

Isobel201 · 07/08/2025 10:13

Have you got the presentation slides with you? Or stored on your phone? Otherwise I agree with you, I'm not sure how you could do this. Its unfortunate timing. Could you possibly fly back for a day or so and then rejoin the holiday?

CanOfMangoTango · 07/08/2025 10:13

Why didn't you bring your laptop knowing you'd applied for jobs that might invite you to interview?

People make it work on holiday all the time. They are not obliged to reschedule, 6 days is quite a long time and their holidays are just as important as yours unfortunately.

You can't do what is required of you with only a phone. So your options are - decline the interview or fly home.

MyNewFish · 07/08/2025 10:11

Well it's certainly feasable but you've spent a lot of time telling us why you can't do the interview and no time telling us exactly what is required of you that is so unfeasible.

Is there a presentation? Long drawn out scenarios you need to choose answers to?

If it's just a straight interview then I would assume you're practically already prepared given it's a job you feel you are knowledgeable on and therefore able to do.

I get you don't wanna! But it's an employers' market right now and if you don't someone else will.

I worked at my apartment table in Spain on my holiday on Xmas day! Why? Cause I value that work that much and want to be known as reliable and therefore indispensable.

Don't you think that doing the interview without complaint will in itself put you ahead of other candidates? :D

Good luck!

Nickynicks · 07/08/2025 10:10

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/08/2025 09:41

I mean, presumably you applied for the job knowing that you might get an interview and also knowing that you had this big family holiday coming up? What was your original plan for how to manage, given the possibility that the two might clash? Or have I misunderstood something?

Many job listings do not specify interview dates, let alone a closing date. The interview I am attending today, the closing date was mid July and will be interviewing next week.

Other jobs I have applied, got an interview within the week.

OP, could you borrow someone's tablet to do the interview as easier to deal with online interviews

MaJoady · 07/08/2025 10:10

If you want the job enough, of course it's doable. But you'll have to arrange time in your holiday to prepare etc. Use the fact there's lots of people around to help with childcare while you hide away for a few hours a couple of days to prep.