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!

Why would you think it was weak for not mentioning it and not 'She's clearly motivated, she's coming in for the interview on her day off'? Why always looking for weakness and not for strength?

Take half a day and do the interview during the working half. If there is competition for the role you do not want to send the wrong message. Once you have the job draw a line in the sand for unreasonable requests like this.

i work part time and i'd ask if the interview could be held on my working day if possible.

many people who are part time do so as they have fixed commitments on those days - College or University or kids or other caring responsibilities.

Asking if its possible is just sensible. It doesn't show lack of flexibility particularly. Particually its ifs internal with 2 people you know- not all of us are inteviewed by THE PANEL.

I don't think I am entitled for asking strangers a question on a forum designed for things such as that.

Entitlement would be more so like me ringing them and saying 'I am totally not coming in on my day off, reschedule this interview'.

Maybe your employer has decided it's far better for you to work 4 days than 3

Eh?!😂

I recently had an internal interview. Manager suggested we do it on my NWD and I was busy, asked if there was another available slot and there was.
If I could only have done it on my NWD, I of course would have rearranged my plans but asking about flexibility seems fine to me. We all lead busy, complex lives these days.

Ok, if you were a manger, had taken time to craft job description, organise interviews, sort dates, rooms people, etc, then a candidate moans that s/he doesn't like that date because 'me, me,me', what would you do?
Because from where I'm sitting as a retired manager, it's not looking good.

Sorry, I don't understand this. I can't take half a day off on a day I am not at work.

Thank you for confirming the day and time of the interview. I actually have clients booked for this time, but I am happy to move these if this is the only time the interview can take place.

Personally, I would just go to the interview if I wanted the job. Unless you are so much better than any other applicant and this would not make a difference to the people interviewing you. Even if they don't SAY that it makes a difference, as an interviewer, I would still feel in the back of my mind you are not 100% committed to the company you are working for.

I am sure it won't 'look' anything to them as they're unaware I have even had a thought process about it.

Sorry missed that part. Unfortunately I would do the interview without raising it as an issue and then make sure I draw a line once I had the role. If I didn't get the role I would ask for time off in lieu for the interview.

Do you want the job? If so go.

I really don’t understand people who are so inflexible there are always times when you may need to change stuff

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking if another time is available if the original one doesn't suit.
But I do think it's unreasonable to expect the interview to take place during your working hours.
I also think you're overthinking whether going will make you look flexible or weak etc.

If this is your attitude you won’t be getting the role so I wouldn’t bother. Any other company you would go to the interview on any day that they said. Unless you have childcare that you reg need to provide on that day and they know that, there is no reason why they wouldn’t have invited to interview that day.

I get what you mean, I’d mention it and ask. If this happened at my work that’s what I’d do.

You do not want to listen to anyone not echoing your thoughts. But if you ever get a management position, you may want to consider whether or not you should be in such a position, particularly if you ask for advice and then ignore it.
You may also want to consider if you want to employ staff who spend worktime asking questions on MN about doing stuff in their own time

Me and another manager who was to be interviewing, who has since responded that she can't attend.

So they sent out candidate invites without actually securing the interview panel? That would put me off the job alone, incredibly disorganised and terrible management.

Why would they give time off in lieu for it? Are they going to pay the external candidates for showing up too?

I haven't ignored advice.

I am far from the only one who MNs while at work!

They are quite disorganised to be fair.
It's a fairly new team.

On the plus side, they are flexible and understanding.

Rearrange your plans simples.

I think it’s fine to mention that the interview clashes with a pre-existing client booking and asking if there is scope to reschedule. I think you’ve had some rough answers here as it originally sounded as if you just didn’t want to do it on your day off because you had “plans” which makes it sound like a bit of shopping or something.

(I’m imagining a scenario where you are eg an NHS psychologist with private clients on your NWD. Totally normal and professional to avoid moving their appointments if you can.)

Yes, I do have private clients. It's normal within the industry to work part time for an employer and also have a private practice which is why I believe it is an oversight(along with them being quite disorganised as a rule anyway). They would probably know that most people within the organisation have private clients on their days off, It's what most of us do.

i think it is better to have an interview on your day off rather than during working hours, then you can prepare, and then go home!

Ditto

yep exactly. I don’t see the harm in asking. If it’s a no, then reschedule your plans