Started a new job that I hate and have been offered an interview

[Happyfeet82]

I’m in a bit of a dilemma and could really use some advice. I recently started a new job after a period of unemployment. I knew from the start it wasn’t an ideal fit, but at the time I was quite desperate and felt I needed to accept something.

Now, just one week into this new role, I’ve been offered an interview for a much more suitable position. The problem is, I have no idea how to attend this interview without raising red flags. Taking a sick day this early feels wrong and I feel it won't reflect well but I also don’t want to miss out on what could be a much better opportunity.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How do I attend an interview when I'm still onboarding in a new role which requires numerous meetings a day. Any advice appreciated!

Take annual leave. Even a half day. Say it was for something arranged ages ago.

Fake a medical appointment? Although my place of work would want proof of that. Emergency plumbing/electrical situation at home?!

You can't take annual leave after a week unless you pre warned them before starting!

Oops sorry I forgot I have a dental appointment, mammogram, whatever you feel, I'll take the morning/afternoon off as I can't miss it

really depends if its face to face or online.
Online, would it fit in your lunch break? Maybe slightly extended due to an 'appointment'

If you WFH maybe your Internet goes down for a while......

Go to the interview. Lie about being ill or if you think work will agree to annual leave make up something and take a half day.

Childcare issue? Medical appointment? Car breakdown?
It sounds to me as though you should get to the interview somehow. Alternatively could explain the situation to the interviewing company and see whether they could be flexible about the timing?

Home emergency - phone in the day of the interview and if they ask for more info just say it is a burst pipe, suspected gas leak, a break in or something else critical - ask for half a days annual leave to cover the absence and say you will catch up on any work or training missed.
Worth the risk I think. Brush up on your acting skills for when you are back at work and they start asking about it!

If the interview is during the working day, which most are, you aren't going to have many choices here. An illness (you/child), an appointment or an emergency (at home, parent/partner taken into hospital). Apologise lots, make up the time lost (I doubt you'd be entitled to any annual leave!) etc.

Take annual leave - you’ll have an allocated allowance, if you’re not fussed on the new job then it’ll be worth it!

Just take a day off. New hires are allowed holiday. Do NOT lie and fake!

To add, I don't have any annual leave as I'm brand new (started on Monday) Otherwise this would be the most logical soultion.

migraine.

call in with one or go home early with one.

Go to the interview for sure!

Take half a day. It's not going to fail your probation if it's a one-off, and of course Apologise lots, make up the time lost show you are keen with the current job.

Home emergency are a good one, explains why it's just half a day, just make sure not to bump into someone from the office.

What's the point of staying in a job you hate, if you have a chance of something better?

You should have an annual leave allowance for the coming year already allocated to you. Technically, if allowed, you could take the whole lot next month and then they’d just pro rata deduct your final wage for whatever you’d taken over the allowance for the amount of time you were there. If they tell you that you have no allowance I’d be out of there!

Shes only been there a week. What allowance do you think she'd have accrued?

Feeling really deflated tonight. I know it’s early days, but this job is not what I hoped it would be. Would it look bad if I took a sick day? Or I guess I could say I have a hospital appointment, but I don't know if it would raise eyebrows this early on

Take a sick day! What would you do if you were actually ill? You wouldn't have a dilemma you would take it off and be super apologetic, and your new boss would understand!

Your key snapped in the lock when you were unlocking the door to leave the house, gotta wait for a locksmith.

It’s a once-in-a-job excuse!

I’d just let them know you have a job interview. If you say you have an appointment, they may ask for proof (my former workplace always asked for proof.)

If questioned, I’d say that it was arranged a while ago, and it was worth attending? I’d doubt they’d question you mind.

I had similar. Started in a job I absolutely hated, I told them I had an emergency dental appointment. I went for the interview and got the job then told new employers it was a job I'd interviewed for at the same time as I'd interviewed for them but had only just heard back that I'd got it and knew it was a better fit for me. To be honest I hated the job so much I didn't care what they thought when they knew I was leaving. Good luck.

I once asked for a day off to see a solicitor as (I said) my neighbour was threatening to sue over a boundary dispute.

This is a tricky one. What is it about the current job that isn't quite the right fit? Do you really hate it, or do you just feel out of sorts? I'm only asking as its quite normal to feel out of sorts in a new job, so whilst you may not have enjoyed it much so far, you may feel differently after getting settled ?

Does the other job offer better money, flexibility ?

You’ve been referred for a scan and been offered a cancellation at short notice

Tell them you need an emergency dental appointment or something. Go to the interview...

Beg borrow or steal to get to that interview.

Never prioritise an employer, they will never prioritise you, you are a number to them.