Need advice about going for job interview during work time.

LegacyUser

Okay this is more of a work issue..but I wanted to go unreg for this.

I have just started a new job last week. I am on a 1 month probation period, and while the job is okay, I don't see myself staying here for very long. It is not ideal, I am on less money than my last job, the company itself is not very stable (it's a start-up) and I only really took it because it's experience related to my degree and I couldn't really turn it down. The people are lovely though and it is hard to get work these days so I shouldn't complain!

However! I have been having interviews for a job that I applied for before I got my current job. There are 4 interviews in the process and I have gone as far as the 2nd one, I have the 3rd interview tomorrow. This is a REALLY good job. It's a company that is quite hard to get into, and to be honest I'm quite shocked that I have reached this stage of the interview! It is a job that I think I'll love and will be good at. The money is good, but to be honest if the money was bad it would still be my dream job! I don't know what my chances of getting the job are, but sure I've got this far..

The first interview could be completed outside of work, so that wasn't an issue. For the second interview ( a few days ago) I took a half day to go to the doctors, which wasn't a lie because I genuinly was sick the first week I started work but avoided the doctors as I didn't want to leave a bad impression. Did the interview in the morning, went to the doctors (turned out I have a throat infection and I'm on antibiotics) and then went back to work after. The doctor offered me a sick note for the rest of the week but I said I was grand, silly me!

Anyway, tomorrow I have 3rd part of the interview tomorrow, which is technical interview and they will be using video so I shall be seen on camera. I just don't know what excuse to use for work. I've already come in late one day this week. So I don't really want to push it. I mean, I would go back to the doctor and get a sick note. Thing is I requested a day off next week for a family event so I'll be taking too much time off. And if I get the 4th interview (fingers crossed!!) I'll need a full day off next week at I'll have to go to the company.

The interview tomorrow will only take about 15-20 mins so I was thinking I could just take an early lunch break and go to a cafe/hotel or somewhere like that and do it. OR I could tell my boss the truth, but I don't know about that.

Should have just taken the bloody sick note and taken the whole week off!

Any advice for me?

TLDR:

Dream job interview tomorrow. It's online and will only take 20 mins. I need time off from my current job to do it, a job which I only started last week!

Do I:
1: Take a sick day (have already taken a half day off for the docs this week!)
2: Do interview on my break (could be dodge!)
3: Tell my boss the truth.

Don't wanna piss current employer off..not making such a good first impression with this! And I'm lucky to have a job!!

judgefudge

I'd do what you said about going for an early lunch and running off somewhere to do it. Provided it's not at 10am or something you might get away with that. Just ask your boss if you can do that, it's not like you'd really miss any hours put into work. You could even offer to stay late to make up time you've missed if you wanted.

LegacyUser

Yeah it's at like 11. So that's a bit early considering I start at 9! But I could just say I must make a call anyway so would prefer to just take my full break at this time..

Brego888

I'd probably do it on your break if you can as you are already booking time off next week. Otherwise you really would be taking the piss as you have just started!

On a similar theme actually, I'm a manager in my job (a middle manager you could probably call me) and I let 2 junior staff head off for a couple of hours for a job interview 2 months ago during working hours. I could have been a real dick about it but they were young and only on temporary contracts with the chance of permanent jobs. I didn't want to make it awkward and damage their careers and I work in a sector that they are easily replaceable.

They both got the jobs and I wished them well.
I'm not saying your company would be as understanding but they might.

Czarcasm

klahhh wrote: »

Any advice for me?

TLDR:

Dream job interview tomorrow. It's online and will only take 20 mins. I need time off from my current job to do it, a job which I only started last week!

Do I:
1: Take a sick day (have already taken a half day off for the docs this week!)
2: Do interview on my break (could be dodge!)
3: Tell my boss the truth.

Don't wanna piss current employer off..not making such a good first impression with this! And I'm lucky to have a job!!

I'm going to go with Brego on this one. Be professional OP and tell your employer exactly what's going on. Most employers in organisations will give their employees time off to go for interviews, it's the employees perception themselves that has them thinking they have to pull sick days to get time off.

That being said - mind your timekeeping, tardiness will piss off an employer a lot quicker than asking for time off.

Good luck in your interview tomorrow!

LegacyUser

Hmm. I really don't think I should tell him the truth! Not at this stage anyway. Maybe if I get to next weeks interview..which I will have to take time off for.

Although I haven't been made permanent yet, I have lots of projects to do and don't think my boss would be very happy with me leaving. I think taking an early lunch might be best.

ams

Early lunch or dentist appointment is the best approach.

I don't think Id chance telling your employer. Recruitment costs time and money and with you only being in the job a week they won't be too impressed.

Diziet

Get I a bit earlier in the morning, say you have a coupe of errands to do and have an early lunch. I have done phone interviews from the car before!

MouseTail

With ams, Early lunch or dentist, and work late to make up the time.

The Corinthian

Had you considered asking them to reschedule the interview time? Probably too late now, but still worth mentioning for future reference. Companies are aware of these situations and generally fairly accommodating. If not, I generally take that as a bad indicator of their HR policies.