Any tips on job searching/interviewing when in full time employment?

[Keke94LND]

Hey all, so I have decided I really want a new job, I've been at my current place for 3 and a half years, and I just need a change and also don't like the job anyway.

My goal is to get a job with the civil service.

I feel extremely anxious about doing interviews etc when I work fully time Monday to Friday 9-6pm in the office, my boss is really strict, I can't take half days, can't work from home, my only option is taking days off but I worry that I'll get an interview date for the following week and it won't be enough notice time and she'll say no.. or I'll get a few interviews one day per week and that will just look suspicious if I take one day a week off!

I'm genuinely tempted to just quit my job and try and do temp work whilst applying for civil service, or just telling her I am going to start looking for new jobs..

The whole thing is making me so anxious tbh 😩

Any tips welcome haha

I have been in this situation recently and I would recommend to be honest with your manager as it really made things less stressful in the long run. I explained I had been offered an interview and apologised that it would be short notice but offered to take the minimal time off required and make that time up (although sounds like you can't do that).
Management were actually very supportive of me and said they appreciated my honesty. We did have a chat about why I wanted to leave which I kept very diplomatic.
I was so glad I was honest from the start as I then had several more interviews so had to ask for more time! It meant I didn't have to stress about lying.

Check out my thread earlier in the week

Ive just been offered a job with CS and the whole process has been done remotely. The interview is pre- recorded so you can do it from home anytime.

I'm watching with interest to see how people manage this. I work in a school as well so it's completely impossible to just take a day off. Phoning in sick would work for one interview I guess but what if it takes 3/4/5 plus to get a job?

@Ilikewinter

Ive just been offered a job with CS and the whole process has been done remotely. The interview is pre- recorded so you can do it from home anytime.

Oh really!? Interesting! Thank you, if that's the case then that will be much easier..

@tiredanddangerous

I'm watching with interest to see how people manage this. I work in a school as well so it's completely impossible to just take a day off. Phoning in sick would work for one interview I guess but what if it takes 3/4/5 plus to get a job?

This is what I think, and then, what if I ask for a day off the following week and my boss says no.. I can't then call in sick! And it will look so suspicious if I start taking random days off each week or calling in sick etc Eugh I hate this!