Would you book a day off work for a job interview?

[futureplans20]

I work in recruitment (not agency), and recently I’ve noticed that many candidates expect us to make adjustments for them regarding interview scheduling. Specifically, they are unwilling to take a day off work or use their annual leave, preferring instead to attend on their day off. However, our company policy requires that two interviewers be present, which makes it difficult to coordinate both interviewers on the same day due to their busy schedules, resulting in limited available time slots.

We try our best to accommodate people, and if someone is unable to take time off work or has other commitments on a specific day, that is understandable. The issue arises when people choose not to request / even ask for the time off and expect us to bend to suit them.

This was not the situation during my job search. I felt fortunate to even receive an interview invitation, but it appears that circumstances have shifted. It's odd considering the current state of the job market, and apparently, people are desperate for employment. Clearly, they don’t want the job that much though.

I had a conversation about this earlier with one of my hiring managers, and it made me think. What are your thoughts?

Also, employers/recruiters should really remember that interviews go both ways. I'm not going to bother with a company that has unrealistic expectations, and refuses to accommodate valid requests, they aren't after a good fit, they are after a bum on a seat.

Honestly, it simply wouldn't be an option, because my employer requires a month's notice for annual leave requests .

Where are these employers who grant leave for dental appointments?! I work in the NHS and we have to use annual leave for GP and dental appointments!

Of course I'd book annual leave for interviews though with my current boss you get the third degree about why you want the time, while she swans off whenever she feels like it!

YABU. I assume candidates apply and interview with few places so taking a day off adds up. I always asked for interviews to be either first thing in the morning, late afternoon or lunchtime.

I’d probably expect an initial interview to be over Teams these days. I’d take half a day for a final interview but it can be hard work balancing leave with this sort of requirement. In my last job I had 20 days annual leave…take off 10 for a summer break, 3 at Christmas and that’s 7. Often 2 or 3 of those I might need for issues that come up and suddenly there’s 4 days left, which I couldn’t then afford to use 2 or 3 of for interviews.

on the flip side you could take the day off (assuming your current employeer agrees) then dont even get the role.

or you may not be able to request the day either because your current job / bosses dont know your job hunting or they do know but are being difficult about it

Am I one of 10 candidates. Yes I'll take a day off. Am I one of 100 candidates for the 5th interview in a row. No thanks.