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

[HeyArnoldHey]

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??

Lunch breaks? Claim childcare emergencies?

Appointment?

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?

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?

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

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?

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!

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.

Lunchbreak on Zoom?

Before/after work?

@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.

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

@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

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.

@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!!

@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.

@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.

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.

BUT looking for a better job is a FT venture IMO

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

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

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

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

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.....

Virtually no one could afford that

[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.

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).

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.