Asking for time off--for a job interview?

Flint · 07-21-2008, 03:18 PM

Any advice on how to approach asking for time off, when the purpose is to go to a job interview at a different company? Kind of a delicate situation.

I'm technically supposed to ask for time off 2 weeks in advance, and provide a reason, i.e. doctor's appt etc. but I have someone who wants to meet with me ASAP this week.

I am considering just telling my manager exactly what the deal is. I have, after all, been telling them I need more money. Maybe this will help get the point across.

Of course, they could say no. But the alternative is trying to make up something up and take the time off under false pretenses, and I don't really want to do that.

What would you do/have you done in these circumstances?

bluecuracao · 07-21-2008, 03:23 PM

Well, consider this: If you tell them you're interviewing for another job, they may say fine. And then set you free, to do all the interviewing you want.

zippyt · 07-21-2008, 03:29 PM

*Cough Cough BLUE FLUE Cough Cough*

Chocolatl · 07-21-2008, 03:31 PM

Is it possible to do the interview during a lunch hour, or after-hours?

Aliantha · 07-21-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolatl

Is it possible to do the interview during a lunch hour, or after-hours?

This is the option I'd take.

It's one thing for your current employer to know you want more money, but it could end in no job at all if things don't go your way at the interview. Better to go to the interview outside your normal work hours, get a firm offer in writing and then show it to your current boss and ask if there's anything he'd like to say about it. Who knows, maybe then they'll realize you really do want more money and other companies are willing to pay you what you think you're worth.

monster · 07-21-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

show it to your current boss and ask if there's anything he'd like to say about it.

only advisable if you are actually happy to accept the new job.

Clodfobble · 07-21-2008, 03:34 PM

No way would I tell them the truth. But I've never had a problem lying, so maybe that's just me.

I'm with zip--no need to concoct some elaborate story. Just call in sick. The interview shouldn't last all day anyway, so you'll have time to check email and stuff from home.

monster · 07-21-2008, 03:39 PM

Don't tell them, you'll be history faster than you know it, no matter how "indispensible" you are. Sickness is the way to go. Delhi Belly, and if they whine, give graphic details.

classicman · 07-21-2008, 03:44 PM

infectious Diarrheal condition - You are not allowed to work for 24 hours - offer the beginning of some nasty details then trail off your voice - OMG gotta GO!!!! then hang up quickly.

sweetwater · 07-21-2008, 03:46 PM

Keep in mind that your future employer is probably going to notice the way you are handling yourself at your current company - a fib now could be recalled later when you are really sick. Can you ask for a long lunch and return to make up the hours, if the nature of your job will allow that sort of flexibility?
Good Luck, Flint! I hope it works out for you.

monster · 07-21-2008, 03:48 PM

And how is the future employer going to know?

sweetwater · 07-21-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

And how is the future employer going to know?

When I was employed and at an interview for another job, I was asked if I had cleared it with my current employer - maybe they no longer do such things or would not care, and maybe I would not have had to answer, but I was asked. [I think I lied to them anyway]

lookout123 · 07-21-2008, 04:00 PM

I've been on all sides of this equation Flint. I really respect your desire to do the honorable thing, BUT if you do it in this case you have a very high probability of taking it in the shorts. Quite a few HR departments I've worked with in the past would send you packing immediately under the real or not so real idea of protecting the company from theft/sabotage/morale damaging attitudes.

Call in sick. Considering that you are apparently a very good employee they shouldn't give you too much grief over that.

lookout123 · 07-21-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetwater

When I was employed and at an interview for another job, I was asked if I had cleared it with my current employer - maybe they no longer do such things or would not care, and maybe I would not have had to answer, but I was asked. [I think I lied to them anyway]

In the current environment I would say "no I haven't cleared this interview with my current employer as that would leave me in an untenable situation if we aren't able to reach an agreement here". If they know your current employer knows about the interview they'll assume your decision to leave has already been made and they might not offer you the same package as they would if they felt they had to entice you over.

sweetwater · 07-21-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lookout123

In the current environment I would say "no I haven't cleared this interview with my current employer as that would leave me in an untenable situation if we aren't able to reach an agreement here". If they know your current employer knows about the interview they'll assume your decision to leave has already been made and they might not offer you the same package as they would if they felt they had to entice you over.

That and Personal Day option just go to show how long it's been since I've had to do this sort of thing.

07-21-2008, 03:18 PM	#1
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	Asking for time off--for a job interview? Any advice on how to approach asking for time off, when the purpose is to go to a job interview at a different company? Kind of a delicate situation. I'm technically supposed to ask for time off 2 weeks in advance, and provide a reason, i.e. doctor's appt etc. but I have someone who wants to meet with me ASAP this week. I am considering just telling my manager exactly what the deal is. I have, after all, been telling them I need more money. Maybe this will help get the point across. Of course, they could say no. But the alternative is trying to make up something up and take the time off under false pretenses, and I don't really want to do that. What would you do/have you done in these circumstances? __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

07-21-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Cough Cough BLUE FLUE Cough Cough __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

07-21-2008, 03:34 PM	#7
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	No way would I tell them the truth. But I've never had a problem lying, so maybe that's just me. I'm with zip--no need to concoct some elaborate story. Just call in sick. The interview shouldn't last all day anyway, so you'll have time to check email and stuff from home. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

07-21-2008, 03:39 PM	#8
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Don't tell them, you'll be history faster than you know it, no matter how "indispensible" you are. Sickness is the way to go. Delhi Belly, and if they whine, give graphic details. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

07-21-2008, 03:44 PM	#9
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	infectious Diarrheal condition - You are not allowed to work for 24 hours - offer the beginning of some nasty details then trail off your voice - OMG gotta GO!!!! then hang up quickly. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

07-21-2008, 03:23 PM	#2
bluecuracao in a mood, not cupcake Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,034	Well, consider this: If you tell them you're interviewing for another job, they may say fine. And then set you free, to do all the interviewing you want.

07-21-2008, 03:31 PM	#4
Chocolatl Glutton for Gluttony Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,409	Is it possible to do the interview during a lunch hour, or after-hours?

07-21-2008, 03:46 PM	#10
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	Keep in mind that your future employer is probably going to notice the way you are handling yourself at your current company - a fib now could be recalled later when you are really sick. Can you ask for a long lunch and return to make up the hours, if the nature of your job will allow that sort of flexibility? Good Luck, Flint! I hope it works out for you. __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

07-21-2008, 03:48 PM	#11
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	And how is the future employer going to know? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

07-21-2008, 04:00 PM	#13
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	I've been on all sides of this equation Flint. I really respect your desire to do the honorable thing, BUT if you do it in this case you have a very high probability of taking it in the shorts. Quite a few HR departments I've worked with in the past would send you packing immediately under the real or not so real idea of protecting the company from theft/sabotage/morale damaging attitudes. Call in sick. Considering that you are apparently a very good employee they shouldn't give you too much grief over that. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

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