Getting time off to attend job interviews.

Is there a general rule behind this?

I'm currently in my first job and I'm actively looking to move into a 2nd line support role. A lot of the jobs around my area are advertised by agencies, and therefore you don't get much information about the company you would be working for etc. For this reason, you can't pick and choose which companies to apply for and therefore could potentially end up with quite a lot of job interviews.

As i've mentioned, i'm in my first job and I am yet to master the art of getting time off for job interviews. I'm just wondering, do you guys make up an excuse to get the time off? Do you tell your line manager that you have a job interview?

I feel quite reluctant to tell my line manager if I have an interview as I would not like them to get funny with me, but I also would not like to lie and say i'm attending a doctors/dentist appointment.

Thoughts?

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Comments

scaredoftests

Go at lunch, go before you go to work or after work. Say you have a doctor's appointment. NEVER say you are going for a job interview.

clouder

"I have to leave early/come in late/take a long lunch because I have an appointment."

JoJoCal19

As others have said, I schedule before/after work or at lunch break. If that's not doable, I say that I have an "appointment". And no you never mention to management that you have an interview.

thomas_

I would take paid time off or time off without pay. If they asked why I would tell them it was personal matters. You want to avoid giving them a reason that they could ask verification for. What do you do when you tell them you had a doctor's appointment and then they ask for proof you went to the doctor? I would never tell them that I had a job interview.

no!all!

Everyone is spot on, never mention you're taking time off for an interview. I always like to make interviews in the later half of my work day and just leave for the day at lunch for an "appointment".

clouder

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Is this high school? Do some companies actually do that? I mean, if your using the PTO they gave you that would be ridiculous.

Agreed, I've never had anybody ask for verification of any sort. What I do with PTO is nobody's business, and I wouldn't want to work for a company that did that because they are likely micromanagers.

scaredoftests

clouder wrote: »

Agreed, I've never had anybody ask for verification of any sort. What I do with PTO is nobody's business, and I wouldn't want to work for a company that did that because they are likely micromanagers.

Neither have I!

jayc71

You have an appointment. That's all you need to say.

thomas_

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Is this high school? Do some companies actually do that? I mean, if your using the PTO they gave you that would be ridiculous.

I guess I should have clarified that. I agree if you are using PTO then you don't owe them an explanation.

However, if you are stepping out during the day while you are on company time or during your normal working hours for a "doctor's appointment" without taking PTO, then I think the employer is within their rights to ask for verification. I only mentioned it because I've read on other forums where someone said they had a doctor's appointment, when in reality it was something else, and their supervisor wanted a note. The person then was scrambling for a way to get out of being caught in the middle of a lie.

Danielm7

I've never had the doctors note issue, but even when I have gone to the doctor I don't typically get a note anyway.

Anyway, obvious tip, but don't dress completely out of character on those days. It sounds stupid but I've seen people do it. If you have a really casual, or even business casual environment and you wear a suit to work and say you have a doctors appointment it's glaring obvious what is going on.

thenjduke

Danielm7 wrote: »

I've never had the doctors note issue, but even when I have gone to the doctor I don't typically get a note anyway.

Anyway, obvious tip, but don't dress completely out of character on those days. It sounds stupid but I've seen people do it. If you have a really casual, or even business casual environment and you wear a suit to work and say you have a doctors appointment it's glaring obvious what is going on.

Good advice here make sure to dress like you normally do for work that day. Keep suite out in car and stop someplace to change.

markulous

Depends on the company. If they will approve PTO, then yes I'd do what everyone suggests. If you think they may not approve it then I'd probably call in sick to be safe. The latter probably doesn't apply to most companies but I've been around some that are pretty obtuse about approving time off (especially on short notice) so you're in a bit of a pickle if that happens.

powerfool

I have had some crazy stories related to this... finding a place to change... into a suit no less... on the way to an interview. Or coming up with a plausible excuse and then have the interviewer reschedule about 30 minutes ahead of time (probably part of the interview process).

Benj94

Danielm7 wrote: »

I've never had the doctors note issue, but even when I have gone to the doctor I don't typically get a note anyway.

Anyway, obvious tip, but don't dress completely out of character on those days. It sounds stupid but I've seen people do it. If you have a really casual, or even business casual environment and you wear a suit to work and say you have a doctors appointment it's glaring obvious what is going on.

I've seen this happen first-hand. Tragic but very, very funny.

Thanks for your thoughts guys. My company has a strict rule whereby we have to give two weeks notice if we want to book leave, so it does complicate matters. But I think i've got plenty of ideas now for when the interviews start rolling in. Thanks a lot.

dcarey4698

I agree with what some people have said above, use your PTO or schedule it for a time that you're just not at work.

I just started a new job, but I'm still in the process of interviewing for a job that I really wanted. They were just largely delayed in getting back to me. But, I told them I had just started a new job and they offered to schedule the interview for when I get off of work (after 5:00PM). So maybe talk to the people that call you for interviews and see if you can work out a before/after work time to do the interview.

E Double U

I've never had an issue with scheduling them outside of normal business hours. Potential employers have been flexible because they knew I had a full time job. For phone interviews I would just work remotely or step out to my car.

Benj94

So I have been offered an interview and I have been told that the interviews will be scheduled week commencing May 16th.
My employer requires two weeks notice of any leave and on top of this, the rota is completely booked up and I can't get a day off that week or the week after.

I'm freaking out, so I rang the HR Department and they have the 19th in mind for the interview day, and I have told them that I cannot get this day off and it may be best if I attend my interview after I finish work at 16:30. The lady I spoke with says she doesn't know what time the interviews will run until and she is going to get back to me.

I'm not going to be able to give two weeks notice and get the day off.
I don't particularly want to come clean and tell my manager I have an interview (last resort).
I don't want to pull a sicky to get the day off.

I'm really struggling. Any ideas?

markulous

^^^
Call in sick. If you can't leave early or get the day off in advance then what other option do you have?

cyberguypr

Agreed. Given how inflexible they are, "sick" or "emergency" are your only options.

jacksonr

^ This.
Its the only option I am afraid.
Cant you get the Interview for Early AM, then call work and say you have a family emergency and you will be late?

Benj94

The last thing I want to do is call in sick, but it really is looking like that's what i'm going to be forced to do. I will query whether I can get a super early/late interview and work in accordance to the interview time, but if not, I guess i'm calling in sick.

Thanks for the help guys.

ThomasITguy

Call in sick and do the interview.

thomas_

Ate something bad, stuck on the toilet...most people don't want any more details after you say that.

Chev Chellios

As others have said, call in sick man- they aren't giving you much option given how inflexible they are!