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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How are you suppose to go to interview?!!!

163 replies

HeyArnoldHey · 12/10/2021 09:45

Ok AIBU.....
Looking for a new job . I currently work Monday to Friday 8-5 . No flexability. One week notice required for holiday day. And questions asked ....

I have been offered a few interviews during my search . Usually 2 days before with really little flexibility on the times offered only 11am , 12, 1pm . How the hell are you suppose to go for interviews......

I went to one and had a sick day (no other option!) and didn't get that. I can't keep being sick if I don't get others.....
How does everyone manage it??

OP posts:
Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 09:47

Lunch breaks? Claim childcare emergencies?

TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 09:48

Appointment?

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 12/10/2021 09:56

A company really should give you a bit more notice for an interview - 2 days isn't much time to prepare, never mind get the time off. Do you explain that you need to give a week's notice for a day off? If they ask why you need a day off just say it's personal. Could you leave early for a dental appointment? Phone interview on your lunch break?

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 12/10/2021 09:57

Or are you in a position where you could afford to leave your job for a month or so and put all your efforts into finding another job?

jacq89 · 12/10/2021 10:00

I'd pull a sickie if I really wanted that the new position.

Grenlei · 12/10/2021 10:01

You absolutely should not be calling in sick or claiming a child related emergency - that would be grounds for instant dismissal with many employers.

Most companies arrange interviews with at least a week's notice so you should be able to book time off. Alternatively do they offer virtual interviews by zoom you could attend in your lunch break?

Theraindropss · 12/10/2021 10:02

I’ve had a few interviews where they’ve arranged it at 8am for me. Worth a try?

Do they only want face to face? Worth asking if you could zoom, and then go in for a coffee chat once it’s looking more likely you’ll get the job!

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 12/10/2021 10:02

You don't need to say why you want annual leave. Just say it's personal.

And yes, tell any potential employer that you need a week's notice to get time off work.

Seeline · 12/10/2021 10:03

Lunchbreak on Zoom?

Before/after work?

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2021 10:03

@WhatATimeToBeAlive

Or are you in a position where you could afford to leave your job for a month or so and put all your efforts into finding another job?
Christ this is risky, if you need the money don’t do this.
Bluntness100 · 12/10/2021 10:04

Two days notice is quite weird, but you don’t need a full day off for an interview I assume?

MyPatronusIsACat · 12/10/2021 10:05

@jacq89

I'd pull a sickie if I really wanted that the new position.
Probably not the best idea. As a pp said, it could cause issues with your current job, and would not bode well for your next job. You will get/could get a poor reference.

Probably best to be honest and tell your boss/manager you have an interview and you need time off. I am not sure which way you can go if they say no. Hopefully someone who knows more about employment law can advise better. But don't pull a sickie @HeyArnoldHey

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2021 10:06

Probably best to be honest and tell your boss/manager you have an interview and you need time off.

What!

I think there are folks posting here who don’t work.

Just quit? Tell them you’re looking to leave and going for interviews? These are terrible ideas.

MyPatronusIsACat · 12/10/2021 10:06

@WhatATimeToBeAlive

Or are you in a position where you could afford to leave your job for a month or so and put all your efforts into finding another job?
WOAH! Awful idea!!
ftw163532 · 12/10/2021 10:09

@Bluntness100

Probably best to be honest and tell your boss/manager you have an interview and you need time off.

What!

I think there are folks posting here who don’t work.

Just quit? Tell them you’re looking to leave and going for interviews? These are terrible ideas.

Yeh, I have to agree. Please don't do any of those spectacularly stupid things.
Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 10:09

@bluntness maybe not the best one to advise as I'm currently unemployed, BUT looking for a better job is a FT venture IMO. If she can afford it, I would highly recommend it. It really depends what's at stake.

TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 10:12

The thread is bizarre.

Everyone I've ever known pulled a sickie or had an appointment/emergency crop up to cover an interview.

Booking leave mostly isn't practical for this.

TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 10:12

BUT looking for a better job is a FT venture IMO

The vast majority of people can't facilitate that in the real world.

Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 10:14

@thekeating that's why I mentioned if she could afford it....

ftw163532 · 12/10/2021 10:15

You would highly recommend unemployment to someone simply trying to change jobs? Wtf?

Original poster
HeyArnoldHey · 12/10/2021 10:17

The jobs who have called me back seem to have a specific day or days in mind for interviewing , it's always less than a week.

Even an appointment I'd have to give details and a note to my work.....

It's not private at all either , our manager and team know every little details about each other any time off is openly discussed . Anything else would be suspicious . Any other workplace you didn't have to divulge so much but if I didn't where I am now it would be pushed and pushed.

Lunch break only 30 minutes and current workplace out of the way. Zooms never been offered Envy

Ah why is it so difficult . When I was peak applying I was booking every second Friday off as a prep incase anything cropped up now I'm running low and wasted a few days.....

OP posts:
TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 10:17

Virtually no one could afford that

Bluntness100 · 12/10/2021 10:17

[quote Terribleluck]@bluntness maybe not the best one to advise as I'm currently unemployed, BUT looking for a better job is a FT venture IMO. If she can afford it, I would highly recommend it. It really depends what's at stake.[/quote]
Very few people can afford to quit their work and look for another job. The risk to that is huge. It’s great you can afford it. But few can.

Athlebad · 12/10/2021 10:17

In the covering letter you send with your job application, you should say that you need at least a weeks notice to enable you to get time-off with your current employer. And also say, if possible, you would appreciate an interview at the start/end of the day/at lunchtime (whichever would be easiest for you to get time off for).

Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 10:18

I can only say it from my experience POV. Last time I was made redundant, I got a job any job and that lead to a very long period of underemployment. This time rather than doing that, I'm studying every single company/vacancy and I'm already in much better position than last time.