A question about scheduling interviews

This is a question that I have been thinking about for awhile now. How do you handle phone/in-person interviews while still working a full time job? Do you take a personal day to go to face-to-face interviews? Even handling a phone interview seems like a challenge because most people's work day end at 5pm, and I don't think doing a phone screening at my current employer is an option.

Thanks for any advice TE

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NetworkVeteran

FloOz wrote: »

Do you take a personal day to go to face-to-face interviews? Even handling a phone interview seems like a challenge because most people's work day end at 5pm, and I don't think doing a phone screening at my current employer is an option.

Lunch breaks are a common time for such phone screens, but just after office hours (5pm - 7pm) is also usually doable, and I've been on the phone with potential employers upto 11pm. If you portrayed yourself accurately on your resume and passed a phone screen, misses during an in-person interview should be on the rare side anyway. I'd take a personal day.

networker050184

Lunch breaks and personal days is how I've always done it. Stepping away for a phone screen has never been an issue for me. Just walk outside and do your thing. If you are in a job that you can't leave your desk then just ask for a few minutes to take personal call.

FloOz

networker050184 wrote: »

Lunch breaks and personal days is how I've always done it. Stepping away for a phone screen has never been an issue for me. Just walk outside and do your thing. If you are in a job that you can't leave your desk then just ask for a few minutes to take personal call.

Would that not seem a little awkward with other fellow employees around?

networker050184

Step outside as in away from other people.

okplaya

If you have a flexible lunch time then you can take it in the car. Last time I scheduled for the afternoon and just did a half day.

Anonymouse

Phone interviews: I use my break time at work.

In person interviews: I've been taking half days off but my boss knows I'm looking for a new job because I'm moving. I've seen most coworkers call in sick the day of the interview. I always felt that calling in sick was inconsiderate though. If I didn't have the option to take a half day off I just asked to switch days with someone.

Ashenwelt

Lunch, it is the only thing that always works. Or at least almost always. Otherwise you have to take time off.

Vik210

FloOz wrote: »

Would that not seem a little awkward with other fellow employees around?

I think it’s only the person doing it thinks like that. You will do the same with a personal phone call but will not have that guilt on your face of hiding something. Just have a little confidence - people will believe what you show them!

Anonymouse

FloOz wrote: »

Would that not seem a little awkward with other fellow employees around?

I go sit in my car when I do phone interviews at work.

the_Grinch

Yeah for phone interviews I do it during my lunch and usually take the day off for the in person interview. I think I might have called out once, but I try to avoid it when I can.

Keener

I am actually doing this now as well. As others have mentioned I have been able to do a lot of phone calls with recruiters, etc. over my lunch break. Luckily, I have a fairly flexible schedule and I am able to flex some time. I took a long lunch and worked a little late one day and then took a half day the other time. Just have to be careful or I may drain the vacation time and have nothing to show for it! LOL

FloOz

Thanks for the advice everyone!

NotHackingYou

Same boat as most here. When I was shopping I would sit in my car or stand outside during a phone interview. I would schedule a half day off when doing an interview.