Tips for Getting Time Off for An Interview
It’s always going to feel a little awkward as you’re trying to keep your current employer content whilst still pursuing new opportunities.
By following the tips below, you should be able to stay on good terms with your current manager whilst successfully finding time to attend an interview.
Carefully plan your interview time
If possible, try and plan your interview to be early or late in the day.
By doing this, you can go to work an hour later or finish an hour earlier which is minimal disruption to your usual working day. Also by saying you have a ‘private’ appointment, this is highly plausible as doctors/ opticians/ dentists etc aren’t always open on a weekend.
It’s also a lot easier to come and go from the workplace by readjusting your hours rather than taking a full day off (or worse, taking a day as sick).
Request a phone or video interview if possible
If you’re struggling to get time off work to attend an interview in person, speak to the hiring manager or recruiter to see if a phone or video interview is an option.
This requires much less of your time as you won’t have to worry about commuting, so you could even do it before work or on your lunch break. Also by preparing for your remote interview and making sure you’ve considered the set up (i.e. limiting distractions, choosing a suitable background etc) this can be an effective solution.
Some businesses are keen to interview candidates in person, however, so be prepared to consider other alternatives if this isn’t an option.
Take a longer lunch break
You’re entitled to a lunch break so you could always use this time to attend an interview.
Whether that’s dialling in remotely or driving to a specific location, using your lunch break means you don’t need to take extra time out of the working day.
If you are attending the interview in person, make sure you consider how long it’s going to take for you to get there/ back, and speak to your manager if you need to extend your usual break.
Don’t take a day off as sick
Whilst it might be tempting to pull a sick day to cover the time you need off for an interview, this is not the best move.
Not only are you risking being caught out but it can also give you more things to worry about as you need to maintain the lie. This can cause more problems than it’s worth, especially if you could take some annual leave instead.
You also never know who you’re going to run into on your way to the interview and you don’t want to be anxious before you even get there.
Keep your reasons vague
If you need to take time off for an interview or you’re starting work later to accommodate your interview slot, keep your reasons vague, but honest.
Avoid making up anything elaborate as this can tie you up in knots later down the line. Instead, stick to phrases such as ‘I need to take some time off for an appointment’ or ‘I have a personal matter to attend to’ as this gives enough of an explanation without going into too much detail.
Most good employers won’t pry too much and will respect the fact that you have other things that need your attention outside of work.
Use an annual leave day
This is by far the best way to get time off for an interview!
Rather than reshuffling your working day to accommodate an early/ late interview, or pulling a sickie, taking an annual leave day allows you to attend your interview prepared and relaxed. It removes the risk of you ‘bumping into anyone’ or having to keep up a lie, as your time off has been approved.
Sometimes you’ll need to request an annual leave day at short notice which can be problematic. However the best thing to do is to speak to your manager to see if there is a possible solution.
Having the full day also allows you to get yourself ready so that you can arrive on time without the worry of lying or trying to squeeze it into your lunch hour.
