Interview while on holiday?

[Ratherstandonacliffandsetfiretomyself]

Been given the opportunity to apply for two different secondments (current employers are supportive). I like my current job but have been working on this grade for over a decade now, with 3.5 years of secondments at the grade above already, and there's pretty much no opportunity at all for me to progress where I am (I work in quite a niche role with a specific skill set). The secondments are two grades above my current role but from the job descriptions I definitely meet the criteria. Also an extra £8k a year would really help!

Problem is I'm going abroad on Sunday and the interviews are going to be while I'm away. I've checked with them and the interviews would be remote anyway - something I could do as I'm staying with family and they have a home office set up (plus no time difference). I wouldn't know before I go though if I'd even been shortlisted so would need to pack my laptop and a suitable interview outfit (no biggy).

But because of the level of the role they are definitely going to ask for at lease a presentation and the interview will require a lot of prep work. The issue is that I would have to be doing all of this while I'm on holiday... I don't do much during the day other than lounge round the family's pool which I could do with my laptop but do I REALLY want my holiday taken over by work stuff...my job has been relentless the past few months and I was really looking forward to just switching off completely!!!

I guess no one can tell me what to do here but just curious what others would do. This sort of opportunity will come up again but there's no guessing when that might be given the niche nature of what we do.

Of course I'd do it, if I wanted the role, and I'd be grateful the interview was online to facilitate it.

Of course it will take some time from your holiday but you can prep in advance, so it won't be too much.

I have twice interrupted my holiday for a job interview - both pre-Covid so it was in-person and I had to travel back (was in the same country but the other end of it).

I genuinely won't have time between now and going away to do any prep as have so much work to get done then packing, etc. Plus I don't want to pre-empt even getting an interview!

How long are you away for and when would the interviews be?

If you want it, you'll find the time. Honestly getting up early and doing a few hours each day till you leave will pay dividends.

How long are you away for? If you're only getting called for interview when away it must be a while? Surely you'll get at least 7 - 10 working days notice? That's the least we'd do.

So plenty of time.

If you don't want it, that's fine but it seems like a good opportunity & you can totally make it work.

And yes, you'll pre-empt being called for interview but so what?

@wutheringkitesI'm away from 18th Feb to 5th March - the interviews for one of them are 26th Feb (and that's a special accommodation for me if I'm offered one as the rest are 23rd and I'm actually away in another city that day). It does seem a bit off that it's only a week after the application closing date (15th)! The other one I don't know when the interviews are but it closes Sunday 18th so guessing also w/c 26th Feb.

@EarringsandLipstick I'm already working from 530am to 930pm to get my usual work done - had my appraisal today and told my manager I won't be doing this anymore when I'm back so trying to clear my (virtual) desk fully for a fresh start and fresh attitude when I get back!

In a 16 day holiday, I'd say that's totally manageable.

I did an interview whilst on holiday.
I didn't pack interview clothing but did prep and within an hour of closing the interview I'd been offered the role.

I almost didn't do the interview as I couldn't be bothered whilst away but it turned out to be the best thing for me.
I think, like someone else said, if you want the roles you'll be able to squeeze the time for the prep appreciating that it's not convenient. Small-ish sacrifice.

If I wanted the job and that was when the interview was, yeah, I'd 100% suck it up. Short term annoyance for long-term payoff.

In my previous role I didn't have time to jobhunt, apply or interview except when I was on holiday - it was a full on and not very fun job, hence me moving on!

I'd definitely do it if you want the job. If you aren't arsed that's a different matter

I did an interview while on adoption leave with DS (adopted from overseas, we were overseas meeting him and there was a considerable time difference plus obviously I had a small baby!).
It was a pain but I did it - didn't get the role but felt I carried it off reasonably well.

I interviewed whilst on holiday. I checked with the hiring manager that they had no issues. They agreed it was fine and apologised for not being able to move the interview date.

DH took the children out for the morning. It worked really well. All I did the night before was go over my notes.

I didn't get the job but ended up on the reserve list and was recruited into a (better) role 4 weeks later.

Only £8k more for 2 grades up? Doesn't sound like much. In my organisation 2 grades up would be £22k more.
Not that it matters if you really want it but just be careful you don't take on tons more responsibility for not very much more take home pay (more NI/pension etc).

It's because of the way the Bands work in the NHS and the pay points within them...

So top of Band 7 is £50k
Band 8a starts at £51k
Band 8b starts at £59k

At the minute I'm employed 22.5 hours at B7 and 15 at B8a as I have a split role.
So it's technically between £8k and £9k extra - but still enough difference in take home to cover my expected mortgage increase later this year! I've actually found that my 8a roles have been less workload and responsibility than my current 7!