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??

Frankly it's none of their business. Do a combination of sick/emergency leave (household disaster), appointments.
In my world nobody in their right mind would tell their employer. Or anyone else at work. If they won't let you have leave then you have no choice
I have happily offered interviews early and late.

I've done all sorts - burst pipe, doctors appt, for an early interview I just rang in the morning to say I was having car trouble and would be in at 10. I even faked a dentist appt once - booked it the same time as the interview so I got the text confirmation and then cancelled it. I really feel for you OP, it's a real nightmare when you can't just book a day's leave without questions being asked.

This happened to DH. Couldn't take time off and missed a really good opportunity. Manager refused as it was too short notice 3 days. He's still looking for a job.

Someone suggested telling your employer your have an interview DO NOT DO THIS! Ok, I did once and it was the right move, I was just finishing my training contract and new my firm wouldn't have space for another qualified accountant, also it's pretty common for trainees to leave after their contract. But that was a very unusual situation. I would never have dreamed of doing it elsewhere, so unless the situation is like that and your job is coming to a natural end don't tell them.

It may be dishonest but I think you're going to need a lot of dental work coming up soon. Abscess, several fillings, possibly a root canal! Your potential employer doesn't need to know you are pulling a sickie.

If you're worried about a reference before you leave print a letter on company headed paper, saying you worked there from date - date, in the position of xyz. And ask your employer to sign it. I did that in my last job, it was so toxic, me and the boss fell out on a personal level (not professional I know but he was a total arse) I asked him to sign a letter before leaving and he did.

@numbersixty oh no so sorry he missed out!!!
That's another issue when you ask in advance. Try and do the right thing and they say no hope he gets something else soon!

Your workplace sounds bloody awful. And no, they don't have the right to know your medical details if you need to book leave. That's disgusting!

OP I think the idea of dentist appointments is a good one.

I'm not going to ask what you earn but I can't imagine ever earning an amount that would make that workplace acceptable.

it sounds like you work at home so I'm am guessing that it's not like the sort of job I had as a student where they would time your loo breaks!

People used to go to ‘dentist’ in a firm I worked for. You made time up anyway so company didn’t lose out. We needed to give a few weeks notice for even 1 day off so it was only real option. Someone pretended they had a smart meter fitted too thought that was creative. So many people left if you really were going to dentist it was a total joke.

@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?

One of the most ludicrous pieces of advice I've ever seen.

This seems to be very much going against the grain so don't take it as advice, but in a previous job I did tell my employer that I was applying for other jobs. Apart from needing to arrange time off at short notice for interviews (I was working full-time), I had to ask for references and knew these may be requested. It seemed easier all round if I was up-front about it all.

@Dixiechickonhols

People used to go to ‘dentist’ in a firm I worked for. You made time up anyway so company didn’t lose out. We needed to give a few weeks notice for even 1 day off so it was only real option. Someone pretended they had a smart meter fitted too thought that was creative. So many people left if you really were going to dentist it was a total joke.

Ah yes dentist excuse, which I've used before.

I recall I did use this and the next week (I actually did get a job offer quite soon) I actually had to have a root canal appointment and had to tell a couple of white lies e.g. the appointment before had been for a check up etc.

I came here to say tell the truth, then I read the thread 😂 now I feel pretty lucky because on my team, we are totally open about job interviews! It’s generally accepted that most people will leave one day, that amazing opportunities come up even if you’re happy where you are, that better salaries are out there - all sorts. In fact, our head of department encourages us all to keep an eye out (we’re spread across about 10 countries) because you never know where your next path will open up. The result is no one lying to each other, and people sometimes come back after a few years, often at a higher level having gained experience they couldn’t have got had they stayed.

The last time I told my manager I had a job interview she wished me luck but said she hoped I didn’t end up leaving - can’t say fairer than that, and funnily enough I didn’t end up leaving because, despite the money being a LOT better, the place had a weird atmosphere and the manager was a personality vacuum 😬

@TheKeatingFive

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.

I have always booked leave or TOIL if possible to go for interviews.

@TheKeatingFive

Ah why is it so difficult

Just pull a sickie. It's a no win situation.

Anyone in my last place of work who was discovered doing that would have been sacked without a reference.

It was normal to book annual leave though.

I'm another who in the past has found the urgent need to see a dentist. I have to take flexi/make the time up, and can juggle my work to fit round it. I don't feel like I've make unreasonable demands on my employer if everything's getting done. I also request a lunchtime adjacent interview slot - "dentist" plus actually taking a lunch break for once has always been ample time.

appointment?

Are some of these daft ideas from people who arent working! Please go away and stop giving such stupid advice.

I once interviewed a women who was coming back into the work place after 10 years at home. To say she was not prepared is an understatement! She kept talking about running her home as though it was a business and said that she would totally understand if I didnt see it like this as I had people who did this for me as I worked full time.

She kept wittering on about time management and how difficult it was to get her kids ready in the morning but she did it! She also started talking about working shorter hours on certain days because she had childcare responsibilities and the whole thing was a complete disaster. What on earth she thought she could offer is still beyond me.

DONT GIVE UP A JOB UNTIL YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE.. JUST DONT!

Wow some of you will leave a job so have a month for interviews or keep taking sick days

An appointment is the best thing

If questioned then say personal for woman’s problems. This can cover many things.

Say you will make the time up or lose hour of pay

Sickie - I always pulled a sickie or begged for an early slot and had home emergencies

I'm always happy to do early morning, lunchtime or evening phone interviews to start, even once a weekend interview, so that people can then book time to come in if we all think it's actually going somewhere. Again that's been done early evening before when it suited everyone to do it that way. Then with covid we've had to hire a bunch of people we never even met, but that's fine, they've nearly all worked out excellently to be honest. Still haven't met some of them!

OP - depends what your job is and how good you are to how much you can push your wants. I'd go through recruitment agencies and specify all the interview times you can make, even if you think it's anti-social hours, but say otherwise 2 weeks notice. Good luck with the hunting.

I would say if a company can’t be flexible with interview that gives you insight into how they work.

My company would be flexible to days/ times to suit the candidate

I must be very lucky to be able to put a personal appointment in my diary to attend interviews (although I’ve only once gone for an external interview whilst in current job, and obviously didn’t get it as still there).

We’re encouraged to look around for new positions to develop professionally if there’s nothing going in house. Public sector though, so no one making a buck out of you.

I chucked a sickie. Luckily, I did get the job though so I didn't have to keep doing it.

Long term I would let them know your situation when they contact you and ask for a telephone or zoom interview first. Your potential new employers would know that most interviewees are currently employed and have some restrictions.

In the current environment, either you, or your DC have Covid symptoms and/or had a positive LFT and need to get a PCR test.