Interview on my day off? WWYD

[AuntieMillicent]

I have applied for a promotion, I currently work 4 days a week and work have scheduled my interview on my day off.

I am afraid that if I point this out to them it will look as if I am inflexible or difficult...but I do have plans that day. I can potentially reschedule them. Or should I go to the interview without fuss to show willing?

Alternatively it may look as if I am too soft if I don't say 'Nope, not coming in on my day off!'

Not trying to make excuses but I am a bit addled today anyway (painkillers and tiredness) hence asking for advice!

It may be that the other candidates or panel members have time constraints too. It’s fine to politely ask.

👆

You know the interview panel better than us, but my gut reaction is that you should stick to the original date if it's at all possible.

They are likely doing all the interviews on the same day and - rightly or wrongly- if you are outside that sequence you are likely to need to do an even better interview to secure the position.

I assume that attending job interviews isn't part of the job description for your current role, so there is no obligation on your employer to schedule it on one of your working days. Indeed, they may have chosen to schedule it for a day when you aren't at work to minimise disruption to your current role.

Lots of internal interviews are scheduled during work hours, but they are not actually under any obligation to pay you to attend the interview.

Surely the route here is the middle ground? A conversation with whoever organised the interview: Do you realise it's my non working day? I have things planned but can rearrange if necessary. It might be the only say the interviewers can make it, might be an oversight, might be a test, but a friendly discussion should enable you to check.

The job interview isn't part of your current role so I don't think they need to accommodate your needs in that way. If you want to the job, rearrange things to be there.

You’re massively overthinking this.

If you want the job go to the interview.

Sorry but going against the grain a bit here.

I am afraid that if I point this out to them it will look as if I am inflexible or difficult...but I do have plans that day.

You've nailed it there.

If you really want the job I'd keep to the day they have offered to interview you.

Stating 'Oh sorry, I've plans for that day as it's my day off' sounds churlish and as if you're not really interested.

Presumably you do CBT or counselling privately on your 'day off'. (You said it's the mental health field.)

Well, if you want the job, change your clients' appts.

This

Can’t believe you’re even asking the question! If you want a job you attend the interview on the required day. They’re not asking you to come in and work for free - no one gets paid for interviews. You turn up, do the interview and leave.

It doesn't bode well that you are expecting an interview panel to change THEIR plans to accommodate your day off, when you're working outside the organisation.

Honestly, get some perspective.

“Mnetcurious · Today 10:23

Can’t believe you’re even asking the question! If you want a job you attend the interview on the required day. They’re not asking you to come in and work for free - no one gets paid for interviews. You turn up, do the interview and leave.”

This with bells on. They may have intentionally scheduled the interview for your NWD (though probably not, from what you say).

This with bells on. They may have intentionally scheduled the interview for your NWD (though probably not, from what you say).

Exactly.

So the OP's clients (NHS?) don't miss their appoints.

Everyone on the team has private work as well as being employed, It's very normal.

But that's not the point.
If you had the interview on your working days, the clients you see then would not have their appts, surely?

So you'd be willing to 'dump them' but not your private work.

Honestly, you've got an odd perspective.

If this is promotion, think about what your attitude is showing.

Are you mad!? Did you genuinely expect them to book your interview when you're at work? Of course it's in your day off!! It's an interview and not part of your normal work hours/duties.

Yeah I absolutely would not send this note, it’s an interview for promotion and you are basically saying I won’t do anything on my day off ever (not saying your should but a business needs a bit of flexibility sometimes) and my plans are more important than going for a promotion interview. It may also be because the panel or interviewers are only available on that day. You are setting yourself apart negatively to begin with.

Unless you have an appointment that can’t be moved (doctors appointment booked months in advance for example), you don’t want your first impression to be inflexibility. If you just have plans (lunch with a friend) suck it up and go to the interview which is on,y likely to be an hour anyway.

If you do send an email something more like ‘Thank you for confirming the interview date. I am delighted to have this opportunity. Unfortunately I have an important appointment booked months in advance that I can’t move at that time. I have looked in calendars and see that this time is free. Are we able to move it to then? If not, I will try to move my appointment but thank you for considering it…..”.

I would go to show willingness as to how much I wanted the job. It would also depend how excited you are about this potential move or if its something your not bothered about. If I was really excited about a potential promotion I would reschedule everything else to make the interview.

Having the day off is also good as it gives you time to prepare rather watching the clock whilst doing your normal work load.

Obviously if they are interviewing others who can make the interview time and who have rearranged other things they may look more favourable as candidates.

We don't have appointments with clients as such, we deal with other professionals appointments etc, nothing scheduled.

If this is mental health work, you're doing counselling or other therapy.

What would happen to those patients if your interview was on that day?

You don't sound very committed.

I have never heard of anyone having an internal interview on their day off before, at this organisation so I am sure it is an oversight. A lot of us work 5 days too so it wouldn't be possible for it to be on a day off for them, the ones of us who work four days are known to have private work alongside.

I doubt it's an oversight.

You're in work to work.

They will have planned it on your day off.

Or she can want the job, want the interview on a different day, ask for that, get it, and all is good.

No idea why people are so rigid in their thinking.

In my job internal interviews would always be on a work day, and if accidentally arranged on a day off they would be changed.

Oh come on- you're happy to lose a day at work for the interview (NHS?) but you're not happy to lose your own private clients and re-arrange that.

I'd say the interview has been scheduled specifically as it IS a day you aren't working.

Give your head a big wobble.

It’s an interview. It’s not part of your current role so you do it when they set it…..unless you don’t want it.