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Original poster

How to attend job interviews while still employed?

37 replies

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 19:09

So I’ve started looking for a new job, I really want to get out of the job that I’m in.

I've been to one interview already that luckily fell on my day off.

I've been invited to another job interview for a role I’m very keen on, but I’ve just been given the date and it’s next Thursday.

How do others manage this? Are you just honest with your boss and tell them why you need the day off at short notice?

Calling in sick isn’t really an option.

OP posts:

HenDoNot · 04/04/2025 19:12

Book a day or half day of annual leave seems to be the obvious answer. How much notice must you give for an annual leave request?

VanCleefArpels · 04/04/2025 19:13

A series of dentist appointments, working from home, lunch hours, annual leave, pulling a sickie

EBearhug · 04/04/2025 19:14

I just booked a half day without saying why. That's usually what I've done elsewhere too.

It might be an issue if you're in a role where there needs to be cover and there's no one to cover, or if you've run out of annual leave,but otherwise, I'd just book it, same way I've booked leave at short notice for funerals and other things.

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Original poster

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 19:17

In my organisation annual leave wouldn’t be booked at such short notice, I’d have to specify a reason why and there are only 2 other people on my team so it does put more work on them.

I can’t book half a day as the interview is smack bang in the middle of the day. I commute to work currently an hour from my home location, and the interview is about 45 mins in the opposite direction so almost a 2 hour journey from work which makes it difficult to pop off for a bit and then come back.

OP posts:

Justploddingonandon · 04/04/2025 19:20

A hospital appointment could feasibly last the whole day if the timing was awkward. Though I’d only use this once or twice or colleagues might start to get concerned.

HopeSpringsInfernal · 04/04/2025 19:21

When I last changed jobs, I just asked my manager, he was fine with it & let me make the time up. I realise not all managers/workplaces are as understanding, but could you maybe do that?

ChimpanzeeThatMonkeyNews · 04/04/2025 19:24

Explain your predicament to the prospective employer, and ask if they could interview you via Teams, or Zoom.

What's the worst thing they can say?

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 04/04/2025 19:24

Absolutely frowned upon in my industry to pull sickies for interviews - and people talk, recognise people etc. Just take annual leave or tell your boss you are going for an interview

FpTr3952fHp · 04/04/2025 19:31

Funeral of a friend / distant relative, furniture delivery, taking relative to a hospital appointment, appointment with solicitor/ estate agent other professional who doesn't work weekends, having an electrician, plumber, plasterer around to do something, whichever is most plausible for you.

Silvertulips · 04/04/2025 19:32

Book the time off.

Some on our team are supposed to give a months notice, who does that?

Do you have children? Unpaid parental leave day?

Original poster

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 19:40

Would it be terrible to just be upfront with my boss? Do people do that?
I am just conscious if I stay it looks quite bad! I may never be successful in any interviews I go to, who knows.

I don’t have any family in the country so that doesn’t work.

Calling in sick isn’t an option. 1 I find lying really difficult, and 2 I’m on an attendance management plan. Unfortunately I had surgery last year for a gynae issue and had over 8 days off because of it, was put on the plan as per company policy (no bad feeling from my manager btw regarding this it’s just policy) but any further time off may put me to the next stage and I don’t want that in case I don’t find another job.

OP posts:

Thisisnotmyid · 04/04/2025 19:45

If you get on well with your boss would be comfortable telling them? Or say it’s an appointment regarding your previous hospital appointment ie follow up?

Either that or as someone has said previously ask your prospective employer to do it via teams. If you explain leaving during the day will leave your team short and you don’t want to leave them in that position it also looks good on your part that you still care about your current team!

hyd · 04/04/2025 19:55

I would just be honest with them. No harm in them knowing you want to try for another job.

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 04/04/2025 19:58

Can you make up the hours? Say you have a follow up from hospital, you're concerned about attendance management, can you please take annual leave or make the hours up?

Doggymummar · 04/04/2025 20:00

Definitely don't tell anyone you are interviewing. Rearrange it for a time you can do, or do it on Zoom. I've been interviewed at 7pm and weekends before

Suns1nE · 04/04/2025 20:19

I’ve only really changed jobs but within the same company so I’ve just told my current boss and they’ve given me the time off. I’m in the middle of the recruitment process for a job at the moment and every time I get to the next stage I tell them and they release me for whatever is needed.

Original poster

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 21:01

Is it bad form to ask the company if I can move the interview?

OP posts:

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 04/04/2025 21:05

If you have a different day off in the week I would contact the company you are interviewing at and explain that unfortunately you are not able to attend at that time due to existing work commitments however you have a schedule day off on x date and would it be possible to reschedule for then.

It will look very good to the new firm as it shows you are conscientious and dedicated to the commitment you have made to your job.

FelixLighter · 04/04/2025 21:08

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 21:01

Is it bad form to ask the company if I can move the interview?

Not at all. You may not be able to move the day but could ask for a different time slot.

notatinydancer · 04/04/2025 22:33

tryingtoescape9 · 04/04/2025 19:40

Would it be terrible to just be upfront with my boss? Do people do that?
I am just conscious if I stay it looks quite bad! I may never be successful in any interviews I go to, who knows.

I don’t have any family in the country so that doesn’t work.

Yes. I’d be honest. I have done this.
I can’t believe all these people telling you to lie.

notatinydancer · 04/04/2025 22:36

Can you swap your day off ?

anonhop · 04/04/2025 22:39

Can’t you just tell your boss? If anything they might offer you more money to stay haha

2chocolateoranges · 04/04/2025 22:43

When I was looking for a new job I told my boss I had a dental appointment and a follow up appointment as an excuse.

one was during my lunch break so I went home and did it on teams and was only 15 mins over my usual lunch break time.

the other was a late interview but I phoned as asked if it could be changed to either first thing or last thing and they changed it to a 9am interview, meaning I was back to work for 10am so only an hour later,

I was offered both jobs!

no chance would I have been able to take a holiday at such short notice.

ThisPinkBee · 04/04/2025 22:43

IMHO companies are generally understanding and try to accommodate if wanting a different time. Won't be held against you but I would be gracious about it.

MollyButton · 04/04/2025 22:45

Most job interviews I or my daughter have had recently have been online. I didn’t know face to face were still common unless very senior.

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