Interview whilst on holiday WWYD

[TomAllenWife]

So I'm off to Greece tomorrow, just me & dcs

I've been invited to an interview on Monday and have to prepare a 7 min brief

I can take my laptop but do I really want to spend 3 days of my holiday preparing for interview???
It would be a great job, but there are already people seconded into the two posts available

WWYD????

I’d ask for the interview to be postponed. If they think you’d be good for the role (and have not mentally filled in) they should postpone it for you.

Be honest and tell them.
Prepare a longer bio about yourself, your strengths and what you would hope to achieve in the role. Make clear that you would be open to replying to any questions they might have for you and Arne available when you get back.

Would it be a position filled that day or second interviews after?

I wouldn't risk trying it from Greece without making them aware incase something goes wrong your end and you can't connect

Seems strange to book a holiday when applying for a job.
Always the possibility of interview while on holiday?
Sounds like you are not really keen on the new job.

@speakout I booked a holiday months ago, I can't never book anything in case a job comes up

@speakout I booked a holiday months ago, I can't never book anything in case a job comes up

Well then holiday takes priority- you can;t expect the world to revolve around you.

I have told them I'm on holiday, the only offer was to do it via teams, not to reschedule

I don't mind the interview, but I really don't want to prepare a brief over the next 2-3 days instead of enjoying time with the dcs

I did a Skype interview from New York in 2018. I tried to reschedule it and they wouldn’t, Skype was the best they would offer and it was a massive promotion so I couldn’t just not do it.

In the end it was the worst interview of my life and I didn’t get the job 😂 they asked the strangest, most arse-about-face questions I’ve ever heard and the whole thing was a total waste of my time.

In your position, I probably wouldn’t do it. I always phone hiring managers to see if anyone is doing the job in the interim and if they say yes, I don’t apply.

Any reasonable employer would understand that next week is not a great time for arranging interviews. It’s half term! Ask for it to be moved.

I did something similar, I did it in my hotel room. Tethered my laptop to my phone so I knew I'd have no connectivity issues, told my family to steer clear for a bit and made sure I didn't have vodka for breakfast.

I did warn them that I was on holiday and it was a bit if an ice breaker at the start of the interview and I think they took it as an indication of how much I wanted the job, my flexibility etc.

Cracking up at the idea that you clearly don't want the job since you booked a holiday.

OP I'd ask them to consider waiting for your return, I wouldn't do it on holiday.

If you really want the job I'd do the interview. Clear risk they'll pick someone who's able to interview before you. Do the prep before you go away and set aside an hour to concentrate.

Of course if you're not that keen on the role it matters less!

I'd ask to see if they could reschedule, but don't hold your breathe. It can be difficult for recruiting managers to reschedule, particularly when there are more than one person on the panel. Plus, you run the risk of loosing your applicants if you wait too long to let them know the outcome.

@Seainasive

Any reasonable employer would understand that next week is not a great time for arranging interviews. It’s half term! Ask for it to be moved.

If OP does this, she may miss her opportunity, its not the end of the world to do an interview over teams

I’d do it, they won’t wait. Do the ice breaker I’m on leave but am very interested, and so apologies for the hotel /cottage curtains.

I'm not worried about the interview, I'm happy to do that. But preparing a 7 minute brief when I'm on holiday is not my idea of fun

Well even if they rearrange for the Monday you get back you'll have to do it while on holiday, no? If you're happy to do the interview I'd crack on with the brief, you could write it on the plane.

If it’s a 7 min brief it shouldn’t really take 3days to prepare surely. Both dp and I have had teams or interviews whilst on holiday.

I’d schedule in 2-3 hours to work on it while on holiday and then enjoy myself the rest of the time. Make sure that I worked efficiently by only allowing myself to work in scheduled intervals and the rest of the time is family time.

prep on the plane?

I would accept the interview (stating how keen you are) but ask if you can submit the brief once you're back from holiday - as you are sole parent in charge of DC you feel you won't be able to do it justice.

I had a first interview whilst on holiday in august. Took my laptop and did have to do some prep, bit not too much. I got the job (after loads more interviews!!) so it worked out well for me! Start in the new year

I would say you aren’t sure what connection etc will be like on holiday but you are available between x-y dates
I always think how employers handle interviews speaks volumes about what it’s like working for a company tbh! And agree a weeks notice is not enough

@speakout Only on Mumsnet! 😂 How on earth does the OP "think the world revolves around her"? Just because she's had the teremity to book a holiday and apply for a job in the same few months?
Think you could do with a holiday, you sound very bitter

@PerfectPuppy

I would say you aren’t sure what connection etc will be like on holiday but you are available between x-y dates I always think how employers handle interviews speaks volumes about what it’s like working for a company tbh! And agree a weeks notice is not enough

a weeks notice is not enough? a few days is plenty

a week is LOADS

I'd do the interview and as a PP said, do the prep on the flight. It shouldn't take that long to pull a 7 min presentation together if it's a subject you know well? Certainly not 2-3 days, surely?

I think they are mean to interview in half term.