Ditching work for j...
 

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[Closed] Ditching work for job interview etiquette

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I've managed to land a job interview for a position I really want, but they want me to come in this Thursday (found out today). Shall I call in sick (will feel guilty, not had a day off sick here in 18 months) or try to take it off as leave (will heighten suspiscion).

If I do try to take it off as leave, what's a really good last minute excuse?


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:20 pm
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why do you need an excuse? what you do on YOUR days leave is your business.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:22 pm
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What he said ^


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:24 pm
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Call in sick, dodgy stomach - noone ever wants to know the details of how often you've been sick over the past 24hrs.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:24 pm
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Tell them it's for the final review before your sex change op


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:25 pm
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Double post


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:30 pm
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I currently work in quite a friendly place where we all try to manage holidays etc to avoid disruption where possible. I could take the day off and be a bit cagey when they ask, but this would be out of character, a little odd for where I work, and I may not get the job and have to stay.

Think I may call in sick with the squits, as I can't do a poorly voice.

[i]Tell them it's for the final review before your sex change op [/i]
tee hee


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:30 pm
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Think I may call in sick with the squits, as I can't do a poorly voice

call in when you're lying down, apparently 🙂


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:34 pm
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you 'forgot' about a dentist appointment?


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:38 pm
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[i]you 'forgot' about a dentist appointment? [/i]

I don't have a dentist, and proudly told everyone this a couple of weeks ago!


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 12:43 pm
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why do you need an excuse? what you do on YOUR days leave is your business

True, but they may not let you have the particular day off that you want - which does happen with some types of job, if they can’t cover you. So if they refuse, it looks suspicious when you go for plan B and take a day off sick.

I'd take a day off sick.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 1:24 pm
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[i]I'd take a day off sick. [/i]

Although when you turn up to work a week later and hand your notice in, they'll cotton on straight away as to what you got up to on your day off sick!


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:00 pm
 Haze
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Take 2 days off to make it more convincing.

Attend your interview and go riding/drinking on the other.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:03 pm
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As above, take a long weekend and it will look fine


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:08 pm
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last time i had to do this i told them it was for a ride - and fitted in a ride too - i did come clean to them when i got the job though.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:12 pm
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[i]I don't have a dentist, and proudly told everyone this a couple of weeks ago![/i]

All the more believable that you need to go in for an emergency filling then?


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:12 pm
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Although when you turn up to work a week later and hand your notice in, they'll cotton on straight away as to what you got up to on your day off sick!

I'd rather them cotton on after the interview and once I've been offered a job then before. If they get suspicious beforehand and you don't get the job then your card is marked.

If you going to another job anyway, why does it matter why they think you were off sick, as long as you don't admit it to them.

Probably agree with others that 2 day sick is more realistic than a single day though. That gives you a day to prepare, and a day for the interview. No one is sick for a day.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:35 pm
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Take two days off.... interview thurs ride friday? The weather improves to the end of the week i think??


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:43 pm
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Be careful with sickies for interviews - it backfired horribly on someone I knew when his new company found out that he'd lied to the old company. His integrity went out the window, and the job went with it, leaving him stuck facing an awkward situation and disciplinary procedures at his old place. Not worth it IMO.

What's the big deal about going for an interview? If your current lot are smart they'll find out what you're looking for and try to keep you (if they want to) - if you want to leave anyway, what's the big deal with telling people. One place I worked it was pretty common for people to take a day/half day to 'go and see their auntie'.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 2:50 pm
 Haze
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On the other hand, 2 days off might make it look like you're trying too hard... 😉


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 3:03 pm
 Olly
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day off, if they persist with what you were up to, tell them.

stop looking so guilty!


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 3:24 pm
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Hmm. Am going through the same thoughts, though I suspect I can turn it into a "meeting" or "working from home". One of the advantages of workign somewhere where the bosses don't give a s**t is that they don't notice if I'm not there....

I'm later in the month though, so could feasibly organise a day off when I know which of the choice of two days it is.

Sooo hope I get it.

🙂


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 4:02 pm
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What ever you decide if you aren't going to tell the full truth keep the lie simple. Squits is a good excuse, no outward signs and can legitimately be over and done in a day. Oh and don't tell your prospective new employers that you took a sicky.

Personally it's the way I'd go, any over elaborate lie about why you need to take holiday quickly could easily backfire if they say no, get all compassionate and say just take the day without taking a holiday (then you'd feel guilty) or just ask you about the details when you get back.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 7:01 pm
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I hate chucking a sickie, however, if needs must.

Maybe take two days off just to prove how i'll you are(n't.)

Chris


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 7:04 pm
 DT78
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Personally I'd tell them I was going for an interview, with the reasons your looking to leave. Ultimately your boss will respect you for being honest - even if it might leave him up sh*t creek.

You never know they if your good and valued they might try to improve whatever the reason is your looking elsewhere


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 7:37 pm
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tell them something personal has come up that you need to take the day off for, nobody ever asks what this is and if they do say its a family matter.

at least thats half way honest


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 7:46 pm
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I was going to say exactly what Haribo said - not worth chucking a sickie


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 7:56 pm
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if you can take a 1/2 day and fit the interview in then do that.....then go back into work all suited and booted. let em know your a man in demand.


 
Posted : 06/10/2009 11:04 pm
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If you call in sick then get the new job what's to stop your new employers finding out what sort of person you are?

Take a day's leave. Doesn't do any harm for your company to know they might have to work harder to keep you.


 
Posted : 07/10/2009 6:29 am
 nuke
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Yeah another vote for what Haribo said...annual leave day because a personal/family/domestic issue has arisen.

Good luck for the interview


 
Posted : 07/10/2009 7:03 am