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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Gonnagetgoing · 12/10/2021 10:36

Sick days definitely

Original poster

HeyArnoldHey · 12/10/2021 10:36

@TheOrigRights

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.

Bloody hell.
So everyone knows if you're having a smear test, having a mental health assessment, getting a coil fitted?

I imagine there is little respect for the manager.

To be honest yes.... we actually would know all of this about the whole team it's pretty crazy now I think of it

but anything in working hours is expected to be known. It would be huge red flag if we did not.

OP posts:

RicherThanYew · 12/10/2021 10:36

Sorry op, I can only assume that the new companies that you have applied to interview with are desperate for staff. My employers expect applicants to arrive the next day if the applicants say no they can't manage it, my employer then tries to insist that they change their plans and sends them a lengthy email explaining why they need to do as he says. If you decide to call in sick or say you have a childcare emergency you should be very careful.

TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 10:39

You think a future employer is going to think that's a good thing? Really?!

There won't be any future employers unless she manages to get to the interview. What's your practical suggestion here?

daisyjgrey · 12/10/2021 10:39

tell our manager when we go to the toilet via IM

So yes, Putin.

I don't blame you. It sounds horrible, and arguably a bit iffy from an HR angle.

Original poster

HeyArnoldHey · 12/10/2021 10:39

@Rosebel

Or failing that book a section of annual leave after applying for several jobs and then you have time to attend any interview offered.

I did this with every second Friday off , preempting some interviews hopefully but I wasted days. One worked out that way and I was offered that job but had to turn down as the pay was a lot lower then they advertised and I stated I wanted (such a waste!)

Another got me in and I was clearly under qualified they wanted someone a lot more senior!

Waste!

The field I'm in is extremely competitive !

OP posts:

Drinkingallthewine · 12/10/2021 10:39

I had one job like this. When I was interviewing for another position I told the prospective employer the truth - that I rarely got granted time off if requested and felt it dishonest to call in sick to attend an interview so would it be possible to schedule it outside of my work hours. And that also I couldn't tell them I was seeking another job as there were repercussions for a former staff member that did that. It was just another retail job so didn't need clout or a meaty CV to ask for an out of hours interview.

And the prospective employer did meet me outside of working hours! I met them after I finished my shift, and they said that it showed a good work ethic that I wouldn't pull a sickie even when the employer was being unreasonable. I didn't have to say that I worked in a toxic work environment, but they did say with a wink they understood exactly why I'd want a new job. Got offered the job on the spot.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/10/2021 10:40

@CSJobseeker

Just be honest with the recruiter and try to negotiate more notice for the interview, and then book annual leave. This is what I've always done.

When I've been recruiting, I've always given more than 2 days notice for interviews (a week minimum is polite in my view) and I will offer an alternative date if I think the candidate is a good one.

Don't quit your job.
Don't tell them you're sick (it will be obvious when you hand in your notice if you've had a lot of sick days recently, and will sour the relationship. Remember you'll need a reference from them!).
Don't tell them what the annual leave is for.

This....

No where I've worked could I get 48 hrs notice for time away... Unless an absolute 'must'... Emergency dental etc...

If you pull a sickie /say dentist... It will be SO obvious you jave done this when you hand in notice...

So...
I'd ask for

1.At least a week's notice of interviews - id also frame this at not wanting to let down your current employer... This looks good to potential employers...

If they can't give you notice ... Can you ask for zoom interview at breakfast time/ teatime interview? A pal recently had a zoom interview at 730am for a CEO charity post

If not,

Can you find somewhere to do zoom interview at lunchtime? Is there a unused office you can use /empty upstairs room

Disfordarkchocolate · 12/10/2021 10:40

I note dates of interviews I really want to attend and plan accordingly.

Luckily I work from home so no one notices if I have an odd timed lunch to attend one.

It's acceptable to ask for a time change or put times I am not available in the application and email.

Good luck.

SheWoreYellow · 12/10/2021 10:41

Could you offer to make up the hours? Say you need to take your mum/elderly neighbour to an emergency appointment but that you’ll make the hours up.

Or have an internet emergency? You’d need to have your phone off too though. Maybe you have rubbish mobile signal at home.

It seems a shame to take a whole day sick.

Seasonschange · 12/10/2021 10:41

Is it easy to cancel leave? Some jobs I’ve applied for say when the interviews will be. If you have this you could book the leave then cancel it if you don’t need it. Say you were meeting up with an old friend who can no longer come

SpiceRat · 12/10/2021 10:42

[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]
I thought that early 2020. Had enough savings for a 3/4 months… needless to say that ended badly. I needed to get out of my job for my mental health, and luckily my parents helped get me through the worst, but unless you have a VERY healthy nest egg I would advise against this. Not only is it financially risky, you always look better in employment than out of it, it will work in your favour to stay in a job until you’ve secured a new one.

2Two · 12/10/2021 10:42

When you apply for jobs, do you let them know that you need a week's notice for interviews?

In relation to your medical condition, next time your employers ask you do something to make it invisible, remind them of their duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

CSJobseeker · 12/10/2021 10:42

@TheKeatingFive

You think a future employer is going to think that's a good thing? Really?!

There won't be any future employers unless she manages to get to the interview. What's your practical suggestion here?

Negotiate on the time/date of the interview. That's what I've done before - outside of working hours if I couldn't get leave. For example, I've negotiated a 5pm interview, and told my current employer I'd have to start and finish slightly early that day to attend an appointment.

If the OP ends up job hunting for while, taking a sick day for every interview will add up to quite a sickness record. Then when she gets a job offer the new employer will see that on her reference.

silverbubbles · 12/10/2021 10:43

What sort of job are you applying for?
Ask and push for Zooms meetings at times that work for you (early am or late). Do not be embarrassed about asking. Find out in advance what the process is, how many interviews there will be etc and try to condense if possible.

Depending on what the job is can they see you on Saturdays or an evening slot. Interviews do happen out side of core hours.

If possible line up more than one interview on a day. if you are short of holiday explain this to the job and see if they can condense the process for you.

TheKeatingFive · 12/10/2021 10:45

Negotiate on the time/date of the interview. That's what I've done before - outside of working hours if I couldn't get leave.

Well I've done that myself, but it isn't always going to be accommodated. What then?

SW1amp · 12/10/2021 10:47

[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]
As someone who regularly interviews and hires new people, I would look with suspicion on any candidate who told me they had quit their job in order to job hunt

It would sound a lot like ‘fired and now desperate to find something else’ and is definitely not normal

CSJobseeker · 12/10/2021 10:47

@TheKeatingFive

Negotiate on the time/date of the interview. That's what I've done before - outside of working hours if I couldn't get leave.

Well I've done that myself, but it isn't always going to be accommodated. What then?

They obviously aren't that interested if they won't do it.

I've recruited with fixed panels, in the public sector, and the panel would always reconvene if needed for the right candidate.

Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 10:47

@spicerat as I'm currently trying to exploit my experience from a few years ago, I really don't think they mind about the gap. I think it really depends on how niche the role is? The OP has said it isn't and it's very competitive. From a MH POV any job made my life a lot more hellish, but as mentioned I went from senior manager to /receptionist / M&S / kitchen porter

Original poster

HeyArnoldHey · 12/10/2021 10:49

I have tried to request different times but these are highly competitive roles and I have told for this one in particular only x and y are available.

But it's an amazing opportunity! They'd have others chomping at the bit!

OP posts:

Terribleluck · 12/10/2021 10:49

@SW you don't phrase that way, do you? Besides I've been made redundant, so again very different. The jobs I resigned from are not even in my CV, that's how irrelevant they are.

iammarleysmummy · 12/10/2021 10:51

@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 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??

Well you just have to make it work! I missed an interview once as my new job had a meeting I had to minute. I still wonder to this day if that path would have been better. I wanted that job. Anyway, a sickie is a good option, if not you could just say 'I have a job interview' they can't legally fire you or anything, you are perfectly within your rights to look for a new job! You don't have a third option really so just pick one of those and get it done. Good luck at your interview!

thecatsthecats · 12/10/2021 10:51

I would recommend calling the recruiting employer and asking whether they have a date in mind for the interviews before or as you apply.

You can book the date in advance, cancel if not needed, and get the added bonus of an opportunity to seem polite, proactive and invested outside of the interview.

I always like prospective candidates to do similar.

RestingPandaFace · 12/10/2021 10:56

@HeyArnoldHey I always offer interview dates 2/3 days away because I find that if they are much further in advance people flake out. I’d be more than happy to wait a week for you if you told me about your circumstances.

QforCucumber · 12/10/2021 11:01

do you drive? Could you request a later start because the car needs new tyres or something daft like that? (MOT? a recall check?) then ask for the interview as early as possible in the morning.

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