Interview dilemma - WWYD?

[fedupwithbeingill1970]

Hi,

I've been offered an interview for a full-time staff job for a very prestigious company in my field, but it's at short notice (less than 2 weeks away) and clashes with an existing work booking I have with another (equally prestigious) employer as I am freelance.

As a freelancer in my industry it is very bad form to cancel shift bookings and you risk getting a reputation for unreliability, which then undermines your ability to get more work.

I've tried to reschedule with the prospective employer, which offered me only one time and date for interview via its company website application process, but so far their HR person has not come back to me and time is pressing on!

The freelance shift I am committed to is a regular gig and requires someone with specialist knowledge, so it would be difficult for them to replace me at such short notice.

My current thinking is that if this new employer is going to be so inflexible, what would they be like to work for?

If the prospective employer says "No, it's this date or nothing," I'm inclined to say, "I'm very sorry to hear that and I will therefore reluctantly have to withdraw."

However, friends and family are saying, "You're mad if you don't cancel the freelance shift to go to an interview for a full-time job."

And: "Employers can act that way if they want to - they have so many others to choose from they will just move on to the next person. It depends how much you want the job."

Of course I want the hob. But there are more people in my field looking for jobs than are jobs available, and for each vacancy employers are getting a hundred or so applicants, so, statistically, it is less likely that I will get this job anyway.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

I wouldn't cancel the freelance gig. There's no guarantee that you will get the other job (sorry!)

I'm sure the new employer will understand that you may have existing commitments.

As someone who has interviewed others I understand the 'it's this date or no date'. It's often impossible to coordinate two or three diaries of those interviewing, plus available interview rooms and admin support etc and if you're desperate for someome to start, you might not want to wait the two or three weeks to rearrange all that, and also not want to keep other candidates hanging on to hear while everyone waits for you.

I would reschedule the freelance one, with apologies, and new suggested dates.

How long will the interview take? Can't you tell your freelance gig that you've forgotten you've got a [hospital appointment, dentists appointment, smear test, insert believable fib here] on that day but you'll be there before abd after?

Actually, can't you tell the freelance gig that you've been offered a fantastic job interview? When I was freelance, and when I employed freelancers, we were supportive to each other.

I'm freelance. I wouldn't reschedule a regular freelance job for jam tomorrow. What if you don't get the permanent job?

Your friends and family presumably are not freelance. You are mad if you don't put your clients first.

You could ask, if you have a good relationship and could do the work another day. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

PS re this:

However, friends and family are saying, "You're mad if you don't cancel the freelance shift to go to an interview for a full-time job."

People who say this generally a) do not comprehend that being freelance means you are running a business and b) assume a full-time job is better and more important than freelance work, instead of grasping that this is your job right now.

Sorry, that should have been "I want the job"....

DH is a freelancer person. I asked him what he would do

'Try and move one.'

So, yeah - just move one! Hopefully the interview people will get back to you but I would chase up

Wow, didn't expect this many replies so soon, and across such a diverse spectrum of opinion. Thanks!

Whatsgoingon - I've considered this and haven't ruled it out as an option although I'm not keen. The interview is 45 mins, plus an aptitude test of 30 mins, then travel to and from companies is an hour round trip.

I would need to ask for 2 and a half hours out of my shift minimum. If the interviewers are running late it will be even longer. It would be stressful.

I am probably being stupid and naive but I would never lie about appointments etc. Not trying to be morally superior, I just feel that it's bad karma and will come back to bite me! And I'm a terrible liar so I don't even try, heh he....

Moany - thanks for the insight. It is helpful to see things from the "other side".

Peppermint Crayon - thanks for the support. Family members not self-employed and friends obsessed with security and money - isn't everyone? I agree with you about putting clients first.

I also tend to think this: whenever I've looked for tradesmen and one is available immediately, I worry that he or she isn't very good at their job. If someone is booked up for a month or two, however, I think they must be good as they are in demand, and feel reassured that I am getting someone good. But I realise I may be in the minority!

I may yet have to talk to the boss about my predicament and hope she might understand.

Koalafications - thanks - I agree. I may not get the job and will have mucked around an employer I really value and who actually appreciates me. I've been off lately owing to illness and then holidays and whenever I return she says, "Thank God you're back."
Plus I am loath to mess them around even more....

Thanks guys x

I also worry if people are available immediately! We waited a year for our preferred builder to be available for our extension and I am pleased every day that we did.

Why not tell lovely freelance employer that you've been offered a fantastic job interview? Just be honest.she might offer you a full time job herself! A bit of competition can work wonders.

at Moany's DH. Yes, I will chase up the interview people tomorrow.

Whatsgoingon - Lovely F/L employer doesn't have the power to hire and fire as she is only a departmental head - the hiring is done higher up; in addition I only work 2 days a week on that particular job, although I hear what you're saying about competition being a good thing.

Definitely don't mess lovely F/L client about. Or lie.

Family members not self-employed and friends obsessed with security and money - isn't everyone?

You won't be any more secure if you lose a regular client. Or in a full-time job, as a new employee with only one company. So all you can really do is make the least-worst decision available.

Do you know anyone else with your specialist knowledge who you could ask to cover for the time you are at the interview? That might be an easier option for freelance employer to say yes to.