Job interview advice

[illumination70]

I might have a job interview coming up soon and my problem is I'm going to be leaving town on the weekend of the 8th of June.
My question is should I inform the interviewer about my situation or wait until I'm hired?

[artful dodger]

I would say that depending on the type of job you are interviewing for that everyone is entitled to vacation and June is an awfully long way away. Unless the job dictates that you must work weekends, then I would not say a word until they hire you. An interview is just part of the process and jobs are never clinched just b/c you have an interview. I'd say that if they offer you a job and if you have reservations, then ask then. Not before.

[afan]

I wouldn't tell them about your future time off unless they ask you about it. I say, wait til your hired.

[Firelight]

Please wait 'til you're hired!!!

A friend of mine wasn't hired precisely for that reason. She thought she was being honest and forthcoming; they thought she had no work ethic! She only found out later when she met someone on the hiring committee a few weeks later.

Also, it is also never good to ask about overtime/comp time. Instead, let them offer that information. If they don't, you can bring it up with HR after you're hired.

Best of luck! I'm going through the process myself.

[La Princess]

I agree with everyone. I wouldn't bring it up. Here's another thought: Even if you get it. you may not be there by June. I started with another new employee. This was June 2005. She asked if she should mention her vacation around Christmas. I told her to wait until a month or so before. Turns out she quit before December anyways. Sometimes that happens. Good luck. I am in the looking for a new job situation myself.

[fugitivepoet]

I was hired after telling them in my second interview that I would need 4 days off at the end of the next month. It wasn't a problem. Maybe wait until the second interview. Make sure they like you first.

[Graecia13]

I agree with most of the advice you're getting. The only reason you'd need to mention future travel plans up front is if you had a previously planned trip coming up shortly after you would be starting your new job (i.e., before you have vacation time accrued and before you're out of those first probationary/training weeks). June is still almost 6 months away, so there's no point in bringing it up.

Once you're hired and settled in, you can find out the leave policy and go through the proper channels to request any time off that you'll need in June.

[La Princess]

firelight said:

.
Also, it is also never good to ask about overtime/comp time. Instead, let them offer that information. If they don't, you can bring it up with HR after you're hired.

This brings up a question I have. How can you sort of mention money, without mentioning it? I ask because I get many job interviews. Most have been a waste of time. I don't require them to mention the amount exactly. I hate to take off from work for a job that's $6 an hour.

[Firelight]

@ la princess...

Ask before you go to your interview. Call the HR office, and ask how much the job pays. Just say you're interested, but you're not sure if it will fulfill your salary requirements. If they can't tell you a specific amount, ask for a range. Avoid saying who you are, if possible.

[La Princess]

firelight said:

@ la princess...

Ask before you go to your interview. Call the HR office, and ask how much the job pays. Just say you're interested, but you're not sure if it will fulfill your salary requirements. If they can't tell you a specific amount, ask for a range. Avoid saying who you are, if possible.

Thanks. I wasn't sure how to handle that. I was telling potential employers my salary range. Then I would ask if the position fell into the guidelines.