Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Should I tell my manager that I have an interview this week?

30 replies

TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 14/02/2023 10:52

Hello,
I have an interview on Thursday for a job I stand a pretty good chance to get (inside info). I had to put my manager’s name down for a reference but I haven’t asked him as I don’t want him knowing I’m looking elsewhere (which would be tricky for me if I didn’t get this job). I’ve ticked on the application form not to contact references until after the interview (so, only if I was offered it).
What would you do in this position?

OP posts:
Dogsitterwoes · 14/02/2023 10:54

No, of course don't say anything until you get an offer. Why would you?

Lcb123 · 14/02/2023 10:55

Of course not! Only tell if you get it, accept and need to hand your notice in. Will make things awkward if you tell him, then don't get it.

Ineedaholidaysoon · 14/02/2023 10:56

If they definitely won't contact your manager until after the interview then I would wait to see how it goes. They may offer you the job but you may decide it's not the job for you after all anyway. Tell your manager if you decide to accept the job but before they ask for a reference.

Rainyrunner · 14/02/2023 10:58

Absolutely tell your manager, it's common courtesy.

How are you getting time off?

FenghuangHoyan · 14/02/2023 11:00

Do not tell your manager until you've signed a contract.

BirdyPig · 14/02/2023 11:03

Rainyrunner · 14/02/2023 10:58

Absolutely tell your manager, it's common courtesy.

How are you getting time off?

What industry are you in?!

LaDamaDeElche · 14/02/2023 11:05

Never in all my years of working have I ever known anyone to admit they're going for an interview, unless they're being made redundant.

SettingPrecedents · 14/02/2023 11:05

If you think it’ll cause issues then don’t. I have previously told a manager, but that was a relationship where I knew telling her would be positive.

NewChange · 14/02/2023 11:06

It depends on your relationship with your manager. Mine knows I’ve had a few interviews recently and has let me take time off to attend. They don’t want to lose me but understand why I’m looking elsewhere.

rubyslippers · 14/02/2023 11:07

Rainyrunner · 14/02/2023 10:58

Absolutely tell your manager, it's common courtesy.

How are you getting time off?

no it isn’t?!
Presumably they requested annual leave or TOIL which is perfectly normal
I have never told a manager I’m job seeking and nor has anyone in any teams I’ve managed

FenghuangHoyan · 14/02/2023 11:08

Rainyrunner · 14/02/2023 10:58

Absolutely tell your manager, it's common courtesy.

How are you getting time off?

Yeah, don't do this.

eish · 14/02/2023 11:11

The only industry I know of where it is common courtesy is education, this is due to safer recruitment. Otherwise, don't. You can't be sure the job will be yours, despite inside info. I would wait until they offer. Don't officially resign until you have a contract.

2ManyPjs · 14/02/2023 11:14

Absolutely do not tell your manager! What happens if you don't get the job? It could impact your working relationship going forward. They won't seek references until after you have been offered the post.

MindatWork · 14/02/2023 11:32

I'm always 😮when people say you should be open with your manager about job interviews on these threads, but I assume they work in public sector such as civil service/nhs where it's quite normal to go for secondments and to move around a lot internally.

I work private sector and would never in a million years tell my boss if I was interviewing for another job!

cstaff · 14/02/2023 11:37

Say absolutely nothing until you have been offered said job and have a signed contract in your hand.

Original poster
TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 14/02/2023 12:48

I don’t want to tell him and won’t but I’m still waiting for him to sign my leave day off. There is no reason why I can’t have the day off.

Im NHS abut interview is in the private sector. I’ve already had 2 Teams interviews with them. This is the final one.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 14/02/2023 12:50

I had to put his name down as a reference as they specifically asked for my line manager. That’s why it’s a bit awkward.

OP posts:
junipermarten · 14/02/2023 12:52

If it's with another company absolutely not as it's none of his business, if it's an internal position then absolutely yes.

I have an interview coming up for an internal position, I told my boss just before I applied because news travels fast and he would have found out anyway which would have been really disrespectful for him to find out from someone else.

good96 · 14/02/2023 16:25

Unless it’s a teaching position or any of the kind where references are sought before interview or offer then you do need to mention it to your line manager.
If you don’t, however, then I wouldn’t say anything.

daisychain01 · 14/02/2023 20:16

TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 14/02/2023 12:50

I had to put his name down as a reference as they specifically asked for my line manager. That’s why it’s a bit awkward.

They only take up references if they pretty certain they want you. Any recruiter knows that the candidate will not want to burn their bridges.

as for advising your manager you're going to an interview, no need at all. It has nothing whatsoever to do with courtesy. This is your career. The only courtesy you need to show is to let them know as soon as you have a firm job offer and handle your notice period professionally and cooperatively.

BackOfTheMum5net · 14/02/2023 20:20

I’m a manager and I’m astounded when people tell me they have interviews. It’s nice that they want to tell me, but once I know they’re looking elsewhere it logically makes me limit the opportunities I offer them - why invest in training or give them long term projects if I know they’re not sticking around?

Don’t tell your boss until you need the reference.

Vitriolinsanity · 14/02/2023 20:36

@BackOfTheMum5net that's quite mad. Why on Earth would you not give an employee who, until they told you they were interviewing, every opportunity to stay?

BackOfTheMum5net · 14/02/2023 20:53

@Vitriolinsanity I'm not quite sure of the question here, it looks like a word or two is missing, but I'll probably invest my finite training resources in the staff I think will be around longest.

Original poster
TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 15/02/2023 05:18

BackOfTheMum5net · 14/02/2023 20:20

I’m a manager and I’m astounded when people tell me they have interviews. It’s nice that they want to tell me, but once I know they’re looking elsewhere it logically makes me limit the opportunities I offer them - why invest in training or give them long term projects if I know they’re not sticking around?

Don’t tell your boss until you need the reference.

I won’t tell him. As you’ve said, it’ll affect the way I’m treated in the future if I did and then didn’t get the job.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeaCakeandWarmHugs · 15/02/2023 05:23

BackOfTheMum5net · 14/02/2023 20:53

@Vitriolinsanity I'm not quite sure of the question here, it looks like a word or two is missing, but I'll probably invest my finite training resources in the staff I think will be around longest.

If my skills had been used in the first place, I wouldn’t have ended up looking elsewhere. I’ve only been there two years (but have worked in the NHS for over 20 years) but the place is run by a very lax manager. Lots of issues. He blocks any improvements that other people suggest. As a result, there is a very high sickness rate (not me as I’m never off), a toxic and negative culture and they are at serious risk of losing accreditation. Serious issues.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread