How to attend job interviews while still employed?

[tryingtoescape9]

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.

Are you definitely leaving?

I'm weary of being too honest because in my youth I was trying to flounce but didn't get very far and eventually realised I was better off gaining experience in my company and eventually made an internal move. So that my was embarrassing after telling my line manager that I was interviewing!

I think it can depend on the field. I'm in IT, and a lot seem to be video first round, then face-to-face and techy test 2nd round. Current company (I'm 4 months in,) had just 1 face-to-face, which appears to be the company policy, and just one techy question, which I was very glad of, as that's the bit I usually screw up, even though I'm actually quite good technically.

I definitely want to leave, I have been unhappy for the best part of year due to various changes (previously loved the job). I’ve been there about 5 years.

The interview is in person, I don’t think online would be the done thing for the type of job I’m trying to get… I’ve been asked to put together a presentation for the board as part of the interview.

If I was interviewing you and found out that you had lied to your current employer about your reason for absence I would certainly not be employing you, it would indicate to me that you were dishonest. Either book a days leave, tell your boss or change the interview time/date.

Grown up companies know to arrange interviews out of hours. The HR lead at my last company often had weird hours to allow candidates to interview without the need to lie to the existing employers.

But then - as they noted - they wanted the best possible candidate. Not the best-at-lying-candidate you get when you put rules over outcome.

On the occasions I've interviewed, made it point to ensure it was convenient for the candidates.

Remember- you can divine enormous amounts about a company (far more than they ever imagine) from a handful of facts. Certainly enough to know if you really want to work for them.

(With attitudes like that, you can see why employers hate us old fogies 😀)

Just apply for a days annual leave, apologise it’s short notice as it’s an emergency of a personal nature.
I have done this in the past for interview and guarantees they won’t ask further questions.

How would you find out?

no one in their right mind would say they created an appointment to attend the interview (even although the majority of people probably use that excuse) I know in my previous job that’s the excuse most people made to cover up.

I had this recently. I asked for the day off unpaid. They pushed for a reason and I said 'personal appointment' which shut down the conversation.

Could you apply for leave and say that you have a personal appointment? That would be true without lying about what it is. News gets round anyway. You could also contact the interviewing company and advise that you are trying to make arrangements for time off but do they have any slots at the end of the day or first thing or a different day that suits you. In relation to your gynae op I would also double check you aren't protected under disability legislation in which case they shouldn't count it towards time off

I really can’t lie or make something up… my position is one where values of honesty/integrity are fundamental. If I was caught out in a lie it would be considered misconduct. For the same reason I wouldn’t call in sick.

I think going off what everyone has said my best approach is to ask for the day off as annual leave at short notice, apologise and say it’s due to a personal matter and hope there is no further prying… if there is I will likely have to just say what it’s for.

I suspect there will be prying as recently I had to ask for half a day due to a personal emergency (breakdown of childcare arrangement, first time it’s happen though so I’m not regularly asking for short notice leave btw). My boss did pry and I had to explain the situation. I initially just stated it was a childcare issue but he wanted to know the ins and outs.

If not, I will contact the other company and ask if there is a possibility of the interview being rearranged, and be gracious about it as advised.

I suspect there will be prying as recently I had to ask for half a day due to a personal emergency (breakdown of childcare arrangement, first time it’s happen though so I’m not regularly asking for short notice leave btw). My boss did pry and I had to explain the situation.
@tryingtoescape9
If this happens just keep repeating it’s an emergency of a personal nature. And repeat

Or alternatively you just tell your boss you need annual leave to attend an interview. Tell him you need to find another job with a bigger team and more flexibility, as the lack of flexibility over days off in this job doesn’t work for you anymore now you have a family!