To ask for a different interview date

[boylovesmeerkats]

I'm a bit worried I've made a mistake! I sent a CV off last week for a job I like the look of. I've applied for quite a few jobs this month and not heard anything so thought it would be a while.

Anyway the employer does everything so fast I'm finding it difficult, they called me Friday lunchtime wanting to do an informal chat (yeah right) which I rearranged to today (Tuesday) and it went really well, especially as I was relaxed and prepared not in the middle of a busy road or surrounded by colleagues. I was told I'd hear later in the week but a couple of hours later I had a call asking me to go to an interview on Friday.

Because it was so out of the blue and short notice I said I wouldn't be able to do Friday. I can probably do any day next week but it's impossible for me to get leave on a Friday and within a few days. I've never pulled a sicky and the office is across the road from where I work so would be terrible if I lied and was spotted over the road in a suit!

AIBU to ask for an alternative day, or should I have just said yes. Feeling awful about it now as it seems like a good job. They're expanding too so not just one job going.

Haven't heard yet about an alternative date so I'm beating myself up!

I think it is fine, they must realise that people have all sorts of issues getting time off at short notice. If they don't then maybe they would not be great to work for?

You have nothing to lose by asking! I did this last week when I had an informal phone interview, I have one day off a week and it’s now been arranged for that day. So ask (unless you’ve applied for the same job as me, then don’t as I really really want it!) 😂

I would rather you asked for a different date than come for an interview having taken sick leave from your current job. If it wasn't possible to move it, they should have told you when they asked. This is the risk an employer takes when they don't advertise interview dates at time of advert. I guess if they've had hundreds of applications, you may lose out to someone who is available on the Friday.

Thanks! And yes Leah so many jobs have interview dates on the advert so I've been able to think about how I'd make that particular date, sods law that this wasn't one of them. Friday such a bad day for me and having so little flexibility at work one of my reasons for leaving!!

I think you've done the right thing.

When I interviewed for my current job (which I'm convinced I will be in until I retire), i had applied and they took quite a long time short listing and putting out interview dates. Turned out the interview dates were when I was abroad. I called my now team manager and asked if there was any possibility of another interview date being made for me due to my being abroad. She told me it had taken a while to get dates for the interviews due to interviewers annual leave. I told her that this was my job and I hadn't stopped thinking about it since I'd applied. She came back to me with another date and I got it!

In hindsight this sounds a bit unprofessional on my part! (Despite being a professional job!) But I'm so glad I put forward my enthusiasm.

I know it's a different situation to yours but I suppose it shows you how things don't always go as you expect.

Thanks all, sooooo glad I rearranged! Got a new date on Wednesday which is perfect as I'm not working, and they want me to prepare a technical presentation so no way I could have done that by Friday! Fingers crossed.

Brilliant. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

🍀 🍀 🍀
Good Luck
@boylovesmeerkats !
🍀 🍀 🍀

Good luck