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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Job interview while on holiday

44 replies

Interviewinterview · 07/08/2025 09:36

I have been invited for a job interview but am currently on holiday (out of the country) and will still be away on the date of the interview. I will be back 6 days after the interview date. I contacted them, said I was keen to attend the interview but explained about the holiday dates and asked whether there could be a possibility of rescheduling. However, they have replied to ask whether I would be willing to go ahead with the original interview date over teams. They said the interviewing officers are on leave after the interviews.
I am on a big family holiday (DH, kids, my parents, my brother and his family, visiting other family members) in a place with a 6 hour time difference to the UK. The original interview time was 10.30am (which would be 4.30am here!) although they did say they “could push it back a bit if that helps”. I don’t have my laptop or access to a laptop, only my phone. I have my children here and over the next week we have lots of plans including things like day out at the zoo, plus my own 40th birthday celebrations- a meal, a garden party, a spa day and also a 2 day camping trip (in the wilderness!) with friends and kids- actually leaving on the day of the proposed interview (although technically could request to do the interview 8am my time before leaving for camping which would be 2pm UK time). The interview also involves a ten minute presentation and they request candidates to send their PowerPoint slides in advance.
I just honestly don’t know how I can do this- to have the time to dedicate to preparing for this while on a busy family holiday, to give a good interview over my mobile phone on WiFi with a 6 hour time difference. Especially when I might not even get it and will look back on my family holiday memories and remember DH taking the kids out and me sitting in the hotel preparing for an interview?! However, I desperately want to leave my current job and this opportunity is a good one- I know someone else who has left my job in the last couple of years who is now doing this new role so I know it’s feasible. I have applied for around 15 jobs and so far had one interview, which I was unsuccessful for and now this is my second interview, so I don’t want an opportunity to pass me by. When I think about the work I put into that previous interview though, I really just don’t know how I can feasibly do that now for this one.

I guess the AIBU is: AIBU to think it’s not feasible to prepare for and undertake a job interview while on a busy family holiday on a 6 hour time difference? And if IANBU, then any advice on what to do??

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 07/08/2025 09:38

If you want the job you’ll do the interview
they’ve offered adjustments etc
it’s not ideal but they’ve been accommodating

RockGirl · 07/08/2025 09:38

Hi, of course it’s feasible.

You need to decide if you want it enough and just get on with it.

rubyslippers · 07/08/2025 09:39

Rescheduling interview dates is a nightmare especially with a panel and in August
I would give it a go on teams etc

KittytheHare · 07/08/2025 09:40

You absolutely can and should do the interview. It’s perfectly possible to do a presentation via iPhone. I think they’ve been quite accommodating actually.

Jojimoji · 07/08/2025 09:41

I'd go for it.
I think it might also go in your favour if they see you've made the effort in the midst of a family holiday.

Good Luck 🤞

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/08/2025 09:41

I mean, presumably you applied for the job knowing that you might get an interview and also knowing that you had this big family holiday coming up? What was your original plan for how to manage, given the possibility that the two might clash? Or have I misunderstood something?

Mulledjuice · 07/08/2025 09:41

I wouldnt be able to do slides on my phone. If you're staying with family can you not borrow a laptop?

I agree if you really want it you'll think of the least worst time you could do it and suggest that and make it work. You could say you'll be out of signal reach for the whole time but be prepared for them to say "no thanks".

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/08/2025 09:41

I mean, presumably you applied for the job knowing that you might get an interview and also knowing that you had this big family holiday coming up? What was your original plan for how to manage, given the possibility that the two might clash? Or have I misunderstood something?

LottieMary · 07/08/2025 09:42

It is feasible - challenging sure but if you really want it and your family support you then surely an evenings prep plus the interview isn’t too bad?

ive done interviews on holiday and everyone just sort of flows round it :-) and I much prefer teams than doing what my dad did a couple of times decades ago and leaving for three days (lots of travel!) to interview

ChangeOfNameAujourdhui · 07/08/2025 09:43

I have just been recruiting staff. A couple of people were on holiday but they made time for online interviews. If they couldn’t have done that I wouldn’t have interviewed them-it takes awhile to get the interview panel together and I needed to get people in post. I would see this as an opportunity for you to show them how keen you are. If you need days to prepare for this, it’s probably not the job for you-but if you think you are ready for the post and you want to move from your current job I think it’s worth doing everything you can to show willing.

if you do go ahead with an online interview, I would make one brief reference at the beginning to being on holiday and the technical challenges and then I would just get on with it. Don’t keep referencing it-do your best and show them how resourceful you are.

LuckyNumberFive · 07/08/2025 09:43

If you really want the job I'd find an internet cafe somewhere, prep your slides and send them over, ask if they'd be willing to share their screen and flip to the next slide on your instruction in the interview as you'll be dialling in on a mobile phone.

I appreciate they must look inflexible but if the decision makers are on leave after and this is the week they're holding all interviews then it's take it or leave it.

grimupnorthnot · 07/08/2025 09:43

If you want the job, it's easy enough to do the interview over Teams. my daughter did one from the other side of the world.

IMissSparkling · 07/08/2025 09:45

Going against the grain but I don't think it's feasible at all, or very fair to expect you to do this. I would decline this opportunity, there will be others. Enjoy your holiday!

Ballardz · 07/08/2025 09:45

You can’t make the interview and they’re not obliged to find a new date that involves coordinating diaries to find one that works for you. But they are willing to find a work around via teams and a change of time.

Either you want to interview with them and will
make it work via your phone in a quiet room or you say sorry and bow out. Or just take your laptop with you.

DarkSuitsSadSongs · 07/08/2025 09:46

I did an interview on holiday abroad for the civil service. I prepared beforehand and took my ipad. It was on Google meet. I scheduled a test run with my husband to make sure I could share my slides etc the day before.

DH took the children out for the morning of my interview. First interview I've ever done in a pair of shorts and a shirt.

I didn't technically get the job - I was first on their reserve list ajd the interview chair found me another role within 2 weeks, so I'm very pleased I gave up a couple of hours of my holiday.

Roosch · 07/08/2025 10:01

Interviewinterview · 07/08/2025 09:36

I have been invited for a job interview but am currently on holiday (out of the country) and will still be away on the date of the interview. I will be back 6 days after the interview date. I contacted them, said I was keen to attend the interview but explained about the holiday dates and asked whether there could be a possibility of rescheduling. However, they have replied to ask whether I would be willing to go ahead with the original interview date over teams. They said the interviewing officers are on leave after the interviews.
I am on a big family holiday (DH, kids, my parents, my brother and his family, visiting other family members) in a place with a 6 hour time difference to the UK. The original interview time was 10.30am (which would be 4.30am here!) although they did say they “could push it back a bit if that helps”. I don’t have my laptop or access to a laptop, only my phone. I have my children here and over the next week we have lots of plans including things like day out at the zoo, plus my own 40th birthday celebrations- a meal, a garden party, a spa day and also a 2 day camping trip (in the wilderness!) with friends and kids- actually leaving on the day of the proposed interview (although technically could request to do the interview 8am my time before leaving for camping which would be 2pm UK time). The interview also involves a ten minute presentation and they request candidates to send their PowerPoint slides in advance.
I just honestly don’t know how I can do this- to have the time to dedicate to preparing for this while on a busy family holiday, to give a good interview over my mobile phone on WiFi with a 6 hour time difference. Especially when I might not even get it and will look back on my family holiday memories and remember DH taking the kids out and me sitting in the hotel preparing for an interview?! However, I desperately want to leave my current job and this opportunity is a good one- I know someone else who has left my job in the last couple of years who is now doing this new role so I know it’s feasible. I have applied for around 15 jobs and so far had one interview, which I was unsuccessful for and now this is my second interview, so I don’t want an opportunity to pass me by. When I think about the work I put into that previous interview though, I really just don’t know how I can feasibly do that now for this one.

I guess the AIBU is: AIBU to think it’s not feasible to prepare for and undertake a job interview while on a busy family holiday on a 6 hour time difference? And if IANBU, then any advice on what to do??

Of course you can do an interview while you’re on holidays, don’t be ridiculous. Doing it at 4:30am will probably be good if you have a separate area to sit, as the children will hopefully be sleeping.

It sounds like your job prospects are quite poor given the background information, so you really ought to take this opportunity.

Depends how much you want this job or any job really.

mindutopia · 07/08/2025 10:05

It’s totally possible if you want the job. I would just let them know in advance that you are out of the country so will need to join on your phone and may have connectivity issues. I put together a ppt on my phone last week and have done many a Teams presentation that way. Having sat on interview panels, I’d be impressed at your diligence at putting together a presentation and preparing for an interview while on holiday. If you aren’t that keen though, you aren’t that keen.

xILikeJamx · 07/08/2025 10:07

You seem to be putting all the barriers in the way yourself, then explaining how each one could be overcome but still coming to the conclusion that it's impossible.

If you want the job, do the interview. Explain the situation to the interviewers and show them that you can handle making adjustments and managing your time to suit your workload. Ask the interviewer to bring up your presentation on screen and control it for you. Ideally find some kind of headset that you can use with your phone so you're not talking / listening through the device speaker / mic.

NerrSnerr · 07/08/2025 10:09

If you want the job you need to make it work. They can’t be expected to wait a week just to interview one person.

it’s up to you- if you don’t want to do it then accept this job isn’t for you.

MaJoady · 07/08/2025 10:10

If you want the job enough, of course it's doable. But you'll have to arrange time in your holiday to prepare etc. Use the fact there's lots of people around to help with childcare while you hide away for a few hours a couple of days to prep.

Nickynicks · 07/08/2025 10:10

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 07/08/2025 09:41

I mean, presumably you applied for the job knowing that you might get an interview and also knowing that you had this big family holiday coming up? What was your original plan for how to manage, given the possibility that the two might clash? Or have I misunderstood something?

Many job listings do not specify interview dates, let alone a closing date. The interview I am attending today, the closing date was mid July and will be interviewing next week.

Other jobs I have applied, got an interview within the week.

OP, could you borrow someone's tablet to do the interview as easier to deal with online interviews

MyNewFish · 07/08/2025 10:11

Well it's certainly feasable but you've spent a lot of time telling us why you can't do the interview and no time telling us exactly what is required of you that is so unfeasible.

Is there a presentation? Long drawn out scenarios you need to choose answers to?

If it's just a straight interview then I would assume you're practically already prepared given it's a job you feel you are knowledgeable on and therefore able to do.

I get you don't wanna! But it's an employers' market right now and if you don't someone else will.

I worked at my apartment table in Spain on my holiday on Xmas day! Why? Cause I value that work that much and want to be known as reliable and therefore indispensable.

Don't you think that doing the interview without complaint will in itself put you ahead of other candidates? :D

Good luck!

CanOfMangoTango · 07/08/2025 10:13

Why didn't you bring your laptop knowing you'd applied for jobs that might invite you to interview?

People make it work on holiday all the time. They are not obliged to reschedule, 6 days is quite a long time and their holidays are just as important as yours unfortunately.

You can't do what is required of you with only a phone. So your options are - decline the interview or fly home.

Isobel201 · 07/08/2025 10:13

Have you got the presentation slides with you? Or stored on your phone? Otherwise I agree with you, I'm not sure how you could do this. Its unfortunate timing. Could you possibly fly back for a day or so and then rejoin the holiday?

FlipFlopShopInHawaii · 07/08/2025 10:15

Unless it was my dream job, or I was desperate for work, I would see it as a sign it wasn't meant to be and would say thanks, but no thanks.