To apply for a job if I can't make the interview date

[downthedirtroad]

I'm gutted. I've seen a role advertised that would be my perfect next step . Looking at the closing date I can predict when the interviews would be held and that week I have an immovable appointment. Typical. I very rarely have any time off (sickness or otherwise) but this just happens to fall when I have had to take a personal day. I'm a teacher. Should I forget it, maybe speak to them before applying, wait and see what happens...

Apply and see what happens. It may well be another day that week.

Apply and see when the interview is. Then ring and ask if it can be moved if it turns out to be on the day you are unavailable.

I'm not sure how you can accurately predict when exactly the interviews would be?

I was in this position lst year (not teaching though). I was flying on holiday the day of the interview and knew they wouldn reschedule as 5 senior managers on the interview panel. I rang and spoke to the named manager on the JD and said I was really interested but if I was shortlisted would need to be interviewed via Skype first thing that morning.

That was agreed, so I applied, got shortlisted, was interviewed by Skype and got offered the job.

It's definitely worth asking.

Teaching interviews, ime, are always towards the end of the week following the closing date for applications. This one closes on a Friday morning, so I think it will be between Weds & Fri the following week. Often it gives the date on the advert, but this one says tbc.

Last two teaching interviews I've had were on a monday and a tuesday. Apply for the job, if you are right and can't go at least you'll not be left wondering. You aren't obligated to accept an interview.

Surely they'll call to agree a mutually agreeable date/ time? But I'm not in the UK, and not a teacher.
Go for it OP and best of luck!

The appointment you have, will it be taking up a couple of days? I'm sure you'll be able to squeeze an interview in if you're not away somewhere for this appointment.
I'd go for it.

You are being a bit odd about this. So there is one time you couldn't make and out of all the possible interview times you are sure this will clash so are considering not bothering to apply? It smacks of self-sabotage.

Definitely apply. If you get to interview stage you can try and negotiate a more suitable date. If it can't be done then bad luck but it's quite possible it can.

If the interview date isn't stated, definitely apply.
I've applied for roles with advertised interview dates that subsequently got changed, and also applied for a role when I coundn't make the advertised date, stated that in my application and they convened the panel on a different date (and offered me the role).

If it’s a candidate we really want we can be surprisingly flexible where I work. Skype, squeezes in interview during lunch etc. You can but try

I think OP means that she won't be able to take 2 days off that week (one for the original scheduled appointment, and one for the interview).

It's hard enough for teachers to take time off during term time, let alone 2 days in the same week.

@hallamoo maybe that's it. The op really isn't clear what the issue is tbh.

I'm interviewing this month and one candidate can't make the date. Despite my colleague having to travel in to do the interview we have booked her a hotel so we can see the candidate the next morning. We are keen to see them so are being flexible. It is always worth a try.

If you apply you might not get the job.

If you don’t apply you definitely won’t get the job.

So you might as well apply, since the worst case is no worse than not applying.

Teaching interviews tend to be immovable. Largely due to governors being involved (who often have to arrange time off work to be there).

@Mintchocchipicecream ah ok, I don't think we have school governors in Scotland. What do they do?

Apply!

In response to PPs talking about the new employer being flexible.... it is possible but with most teaching interviews you have to teach a lesson, meet with staff, do a student panel and then the interview itself. It’s also normal for the decision to be given on the same day.

Saying all that I’ve had a school move an interview for me... and I got the job! Go for it OP!

@annualleavepurchase they are in charge of the school and have ultimate responsibility for hiring and firing.

HR here ! Of course speak to them , what do you have to lose?

Does the advert give you an opportunity to arrange an informal visit or to call and discuss the role?

Take that opportunity and ask when the interviews are. If it does fall that there is a clash, explain the situation. The Head may be able to move your formal interview and/or come to some arrangement with your current Head, e.g. to release you or to observe you teaching in your own school beforehand.

Thanks everyone.

Tbh, I'm not too worried about being released from my school for the day. I'm rarely off and I think head would understand that on this one occasion two things had come up close together. She's quite good about stuff like that, though we are expecting OFSTED any day, so maybe I wouldn't be allowed to go at short notice - what happens then??

It's more that I know how hard it is to arrange teaching interviews and doubt they'd move it around for me. Maybe mentioning it beforehand would be good as they haven't set a date yet so they could avoid that date if they like my application. But that gives the impression I'm a PITA who has a lot of time off?!

Absolutely apply! In these kinds of situations I think you should always put in an application. You don't know what could happen.

Let them actually invite you to an interview on a day that you aren't available, and then deal with that situation.

In my experience, interview dates are very approximate. HR re-organise things all the time. Sometimes job adverts even get re-posted without changing the text - I've seen at least one where the advertised interview date was before the advert was posted.