Interview soon, do I tell current boss?

py2006

Hi there,

I am in a temp position for the passed year. There is a slight possibility of something more secure but its all up in the air at the moment. I have been called for an interview elsewhere next week but I am not certain what to say to current boss. The other position is very similar to the current one.

Most of the staff know that I applied (its a small place and they all know people in the other place) so they knew I would most likely apply. If I was to take day off sick it would be obvious where I am.

Is it the norm to take time off for an interview like this? Does it come across as disloyal and/or would it jeopardise my current position?

Any ideas?

dobman88

It shouldn't jeopardise your position. I work in Kerry and recently went to Dublin for an interview for work overseas. I turned the job down but I told my boss everything and things just carried on as jormal in the place I work.

Telling your boss straight out is definitely best.

Stheno

I would never tell a current employer that I am going for interviews tbh.


I'd just book a half day/day of leave and go

JackieChan

Stheno wrote: »

I would never tell a current employer that I am going for interviews tbh.


I'd just book a half day/day of leave and go

Agree, I would never tell a manger in advance.
It could leave things a bit awkward if you don't get the job and your manager knows that you want out.

The first he needs to know is when you give him your notice.

If you want to stay in your current role, then chat to your manager now and get clarity on when it will become permanent or the other issues you have with the job.

Chazz Michael Michaels

dobman88 wrote: »

It shouldn't jeopardise your position. I work in Kerry and recently went to Dublin for an interview for work overseas. I turned the job down but I told my boss everything and things just carried on as jormal in the place I work.

Telling your boss straight out is definitely best.

Do the complete opposite of this.

py2006

Problem is a colleague with a bit of a mouth kept asking me if I was applying/applied in front of others. It was obvious I didn't want it said but she has a mouth so everybody knows, so it won't be long before our manager knows.

Having said that, I put in for a day off in a couple weeks (before I received phone call about interview) I may ask for that day brought back.

I should point out that I meant to say manager and not boss. Those that pay the wages are not located with us.

Sky King

I wouldnt tell them because if you dont get the job or decide not to take it - it means your current job is less secure... i.e. if your manager / boss needs to trim numbers or change people around you will be overlooked because you're the person who is leaving.

Book a holiday off - or failing that call in sick. I would be inclined to book a holiday off.

Notus

Say nothing, do the interview and see how things pan out

Stavro Mueller

This thread's getting stranger as it's going along OP, not being smart but you really need to learn how to keep your mouth shut and keep your cards closer to your chest. It's not normal for colleagues to know what people get up to when they take a day off. Sometimes people will mention it as part of general chit-chat but that's another matter entirely.

Next time your nosey colleague starts asking questions, turn it back on her and ask her has she applied for the job? Or give her ridiculous answers like "Ah no, I'm holding out for David Moyes's job". Do it in a smiley jokey way and she'll soon give up. You can't argue with someone who's being ridiculous.

kevohmsford

Best thing is to keep your business to yourself. Take a holiday day and do the interview.I am thinking of applying for new jobs soon but not saying anything to people in work. Best of luck.

Fr_Dougal

Ask for a couple of hours off to go to the dentist, best of both worlds.

blindsider

cymbaline wrote: »

This thread's getting stranger as it's going along OP, not being smart but you really need to learn how to keep your mouth shut and keep your cards closer to your chest. It's not normal for colleagues to know what people get up to when they take a day off. Sometimes people will mention it as part of general chit-chat but that's another matter entirely.

Next time your nosey colleague starts asking questions, ask her has she applied for the job? Or give her ridiculous answers like "No...did you not hear? I'm taking over from David Moyes as Manager of Man Utd".

THIS! Try being a bit more assertive - with a smile. It's nobody's business but yours. Your colleague needs to know there's a line which should not be crossed.

Think up several smart answers to have ready for her - and use one with a smile. Keep doing this - she'll soon get the message. Be nice to her in other ways, just so she knows it's not personal, and not a big deal for you.

Re the interview - book the day or half day off, and go for it.

Separately ask your boss re the permanent position - never hurts to ask.

G'luck.

kupus

From your posting more than likely your manager already knows, offiice gossip and all that, combined with mouthy coworker.

Way to get around this is, if he is the supporting hands on type of manger then have a chat with him and ask him for loads of pointers and say you learned lots of stuff from him and can he give you any more pointers, this will soothe his ego and dissipate some of the tension about you going away for an interview. Most mangers like anybody else love getting asked for advice, no matter what the topic is. Just clarify that your position is a temp one and that youd love to stay and learn more from him but a more secure job offer has come along.



If he is the hands off command and just get it done type then say nothing cos more than likely he'll not care either way.

dobman88

Chazz Michael Michaels wrote: »

Do the complete opposite of this.

Why? The boss will likely find out anyway and p!ss him off that the OP went behind his back but if the OP tells him the story out straight it will look better.

OP said they are currently working a temp position and the interview is for a more permanent job so their current boss shouldn't have a problem with that unless he's a complete ashole.

Like I said, I told my boss everything, I turned the job down. Things carried on as normal, he was delighted I was straight with him.

the_syco

py2006 wrote: »

I am in a temp position for the passed year. There is a slight possibility of something more secure but its all up in the air at the moment.

If your boss thinks you're going to get another job, he'll just hire someone else, and you'll be let go. Simple as.

=-=

dobman88: did you tell your boss before the interview?

dobman88

the_syco wrote: »

If your boss thinks you're going to get another job, he'll just hire someone else, and you'll be let go. Simple as.

=-=

dobman88: did you tell your boss before the interview?

Yes. The day I got the call for an interview, I rang my boss and told him. He was happy to hear it from me and not hearing it from gossips.

yawhat!

Never ever tell your manager or your work colleagues!

The advice to tell your manager is quite shocking. You could be let go because of this or be let go at the end of your contract.

the_syco

dobman88 wrote: »

Yes. The day I got the call for an interview, I rang my boss and told him. He was happy to hear it from me and not hearing it from gossips.

And was your job also a temp, with possibility of being let go at the slight of a hat? Or was it permanent?

yawhat!

dobman88 wrote: »

Yes. The day I got the call for an interview, I rang my boss and told him. He was happy to hear it from me and not hearing it from gossips.

How would your manager have finding out in the first place?

dobman88

yawhat! wrote: »

How would your manager have finding out in the first place?

Thats not the point. The op asked for advice. I gave my advice based on personal experience. The fact so many people are saying not to tell the boss shows how sly and sneaky people can be or is everyone just afraid of their boss. You won't be fired for being honest.

yawhat!

dobman88 wrote: »

Thats not the point. The op asked for advice. I gave my advice based on personal experience. The fact so many people are saying not to tell the boss shows how sly and sneaky people can be or is everyone just afraid of their boss. You won't be fired for being honest.

You mightn't be fired on the spot! It shows you want to leave! Any chance of promotion will be straight out the door. It shows you are unhappy in the work place by wanting to leave and the boss will know you will be looking at other jobs that come along.

It is not been Sly or Sneaky in the nicest. Its none of their business. What industry are you working in?

dobman88

yawhat! wrote: »

You mightn't be fired on the spot! It shows you want to leave! Any chance of promotion will be straight out the door. It shows you are unhappy in the work place by wanting to leave and the boss will know you will be looking at other jobs that come along.

It is not been Sly or Sneaky in the nicest. Its none of their business. What industry are you working in?

I'd guess the OP's manager would know that the temp position they are in isn't what they are aspiring to. It doesn't show you are unhappy, it shows you are willing to work harder by applying for a permanent job like the OP has done. You seem to be generalising and not basing your arguments on the OP. My advice is based on the OP, and personal experience as I stated before.

My job has nothing to do with this thread. Irrelevant question.

yawhat!

dobman88 wrote: »

I'd guess the OP's manager would know that the temp position they are in isn't what they are aspiring to. It doesn't show you are unhappy, it shows you are willing to work harder by applying for a permanent job like the OP has done. You seem to be generalising and not basing your arguments on the OP. My advice is based on the OP, and personal experience as I stated before.

My job has nothing to do with this thread. Irrelevant question.

All depends on the industry then I suppose, maybe in lower-skilled jobs it mightn't be an issue such as Shops, Bar work, Hotel work etc it mightn't be a big deal where they could replace you tomorrow. In office/I.T/Business work it definitely would be a massive massive issue!

dobman88

yawhat! wrote: »

In office/I.T/Business work it definitely would be a massive massive issue!

Why? It's a temp position. A manager would be a fool to think you are going to stay in that position for your entire career.

yawhat!

dobman88 wrote: »

Why? It's a temp position. A manager would be a fool to think you are going to stay in that position for your entire career.

Would you want to get fired or let go without anything lined up? Its basically the same as handing in your notice.

If your not committed in your job they will bring in someone and train up someone who is.

Companies could care less about personal career path. If your the right person for a promotion or been made permanent or get an extended contract then you will. You tell them your doing job interviews for different companies your digging your own grave.

Unless your a valuable asset who is irreplaceable they may offer you more money.

sawdoubters

no no and hell no

PhlegmyMoses

I manage a handful of temps and a load of permanent staff. If the temps let me know that they're applying for other jobs that are permanent, good on them. If they don't get it, they continue to do a good job for me and everything stays as normal.

The permanent staff telling me means I can plan my staffing for the future and perhaps look to make one of my temps permanent or start planning to fill the position, if needs be. Again, if they're unsuccessful and continue to do a good job, we're all good.

Lots of paranoia in here, possibly indicative of the current job climate, but tell your boss or don't. Any decent boss worth their salt will never begrudge somebody in a temp position if they're lookong for more permanent work.

Also, a year as a temp is a long time. I'd be looking into that if I were you.

Mr. Loverman

I don't agree with the black and white opinions so far.

In reality the answer is: it depends.

For example, let's say you work in a toxic work environment where your manager is an asshole. Well then it makes sense to keep your mouth shut.
On the other hand if you have a good relationship with your boss, you know she wants to keep you, and you want to keep a good relationship with her in the future (Ireland is a small country...), it might make sense to tell her beforehand. Temporary position, better wages and opportunities available elsewhere, nothing personal, etc. She should respect this and may even offer you a permanent position with a better salary.

Personally, I like to manage my manager so I would make sure I'm in a position where I can tell her I will be going for an interview in another company.

Mrs OBumble

If your maanger has half a brain, then s/he probably guessed that you would apply for the other role long before it occurred to your mouthy colleagues to even ask about it. Like you said, small place and all.

I would say not to explicity tell (unless the manager asked you outright - in which case follow Mr Loverman's advice above - but do not lie either, worst case say "I don't really want to discuss my career, unless you have a permanent position to offer me"). Just ask for the leave day or whatever, and be vague about it.

py2006

I just organised a days leave and said nothing of my reasons. It will be obvious to other colleagues Id imagine.

Stavro Mueller

py2006 wrote: »

I just organised a days leave and said nothing of my reasons. It will be obvious to other colleagues I'd imagine.

Oh it will I'm sure but you don't need to spell it out. In a situation like yours, it's a no-brainer that you'd be on the lookout for something more permanent than what's on the table now. Especially if your manager's not in a position to get the finger out and offer you something better. Personally, any time I've gone for interviews I've kept it under my hat. Not because it's a dirty big secret or anything but because I don't think it's anyone else's business. Simple as. If you feel it's better to say something, then do. You've got a better feel for the place than we do.

py2006

cymbaline wrote: »

Oh it will I'm sure but you don't need to spell it out. In a situation like yours, it's a no-brainer that you'd be on the lookout for something more permanent than what's on the table now. Especially if your manager's not in a position to get the finger out and offer you something better.

Well the manager would love my position to be advertised on a permanent basis and I would stand a good chance of getting it. However, he doesn't have a say as it is down to the board who have issues to resolve with staff out on long term sick leave. Once thats resolved the position will then become available or at least thats the feeling I am getting.