When to tell potential new boss about vacation this summer??**UPDATE PAGE 3!!**

[SeaSpray]

Well I just got back from a second interview for a company that I'd like to work for. They said they'll make their decision by the end of this week.

Ok, so let's say I get hired and start on Monday. WHEN should I tell them that I'm going on a cruise in 6 weeks?? I don't want to be misleading, but so far they haven't asked me anything at all about vacation plans. I'd also read on the internet under "Interview Tips" to NOT mention vacation or time needed off, until you have the job. I'd need a Friday off, and then entire following week.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[tinatark]

I think you should have told them at your interview, but since you didn't, I would when they offer you a position.

 

[SeaSpray]

I think you should have told them at your interview, but since you didn't, I would when they offer you a position.

That was my thought too, but I'd read on several job-interview tips web sites that you shouldn't mention that during an interview. So if not before you're hired, then how soon after??

 

[AuntieM03]

When that happened to me I told them in the interview. I agree with the other poster I would tell them when they offer the job.

 

[Maleficent13]

The appropriate time to mention that is when they make you an offer. At that point, you tell them you'd love to accept, and you have a vaca scheduled for *whenever*. Ask politely and concernedly if that will be a problem. 99% of employers will say, "No, that's fine."

JMHO, YMMV


edited to add: the books are right; if I have an applicant mention vacation time at the interview level, I tend to wonder about their seriousness in wanting the job.

 

[KirstenB]

I've been in this situation. I asked them before the final job offer. That way, if they couldn't grant me the vacation, I felt it was less awkward for them. Different employers have different levels of flexibility/ability to grant this request, obviously.

I did get the vacation, BTW. But at the same time, I had a couple of job offers, and didn't need to have a job immediately, so I was okay with having to decline a job if I couldn't take vacation. I'll probably never be that fortunate again, LOL!!

 

[Blondie]

I would've mentioned it during the interview that I had a vacation coming up. Lots of time they appreciate the heads up and will accommodate accordingly if they really want to hire you.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the opinions. If they do call back I'll definitely tell them at that time, before I start the job. I'd be working for a woman who currently has gone the last 6 months with no assistant, so I don't think it'd be a huge deal for her to not have me there for 6 days next month.

This is the 3rd job I've interviewed for. Haven't heard from the first 2. However, I DID tell the first job interviewer that I had this cruise planned and would need the time off. She took her pen and wrote something on my file. It was at that point that I decided maybe I'd be better off listening to the advice I'd read on the internet, regarding waiting to mention needing time off.

 

[LadyyRedd]

the last 3 full time jobs I've accepted, I've already had a vacation planned (and actually a 4th that I ended up not taking). I've never mentioned it in the interview process. Always when they call to offer. that's always when I mention it. I've never had anyone that had a problem with it. Most companies expect that you might already have plans for something. I would think most won't have an issue unless you are, say, trying to tell them you need off the week of April 15 for a CPA job or something!

Kimya

 

[Miss Jasmine]

The appropriate time to mention that is when they make you an offer. At that point, you tell them you'd love to accept, and you have a vaca scheduled for *whenever*. Ask politely and concernedly if that will be a problem. 99% of employers will say, "No, that's fine."

JMHO, YMMV


edited to add: the books are right; if I have an applicant mention vacation time at the interview level, I tend to wonder about their seriousness in wanting the job.

This is not something to bring up at an interview.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

The appropriate time to mention that is when they make you an offer. At that point, you tell them you'd love to accept, and you have a vaca scheduled for *whenever*. Ask politely and concernedly if that will be a problem. 99% of employers will say, "No, that's fine."


edited to add: the books are right; if I have an applicant mention vacation time at the interview level, I tend to wonder about their seriousness in wanting the job.

This is correct. Discussing personal issues during the interview process causes harm. Vacation is a personal issue. Most employers will work with you on what you already have planned, though you will probably not get paid for the time you are absent given that you have not earned any vacation at that point.

If the offer is made, let them know that you have previous vacation plans and you will not be availabe on ... (insert specific days).

Depending on the timing, they may just let you start after your vacation if it is within a month of so of the offer.

Good luck.

 

[WDWguru]

I was in this same situation for my current job, which I obviously got. I had my wedding planned that included driving halfway across the country and being gone for two weeks about 6 weeks after I started. I did NOT mention it in the interviews as I didn't want to give the impression that I'd always be looking for favors and time off. When I got the offer, I just asked if it would be a problem and made clear it wasn't a regular thing (obviously, being my wedding, but also just asking for time off on short notice in general). She understood and it wasn't a problem.

If they see you as a valuable enough employee to offer you the job, a one-time short term notice vacation shouldn't be a problem. Just make it clear it won't be a pattern and that should alleviate any concerns.

 

[Mariaºoº]

The appropriate time to mention that is when they make you an offer. At that point, you tell them you'd love to accept, and you have a vaca scheduled for *whenever*. Ask politely and concernedly if that will be a problem. 99% of employers will say, "No, that's fine."

JMHO, YMMV


edited to add: the books are right; if I have an applicant mention vacation time at the interview level, I tend to wonder about their seriousness in wanting the job.

As this person has mentioned, tell the employer when they make a job offer. Let them know your family has a vacation already paid for with the dates you'll be gone.

 

[gdulaney]

Hi Terry!!

I've hired a number of folks and you did the right thing. I wouldn't mention it during the interview, but would make it part of the offer/acceptance process.

Best wishes on getting the position (or break a leg...whatever you're supposed to say in these situations).

Ginny

 

[WDWLVR]

I agree that the best time to do it is when the job is offered. You can then explain that you do have some plans in place that cannot be changed. You may not get paid for that time but I think most employers will give it to you. Good luck!

 

[barkley]

do you have any knowledge of the company's personnel policies? when i was hiring we could not grant vacation time for the first 6 months of employment nor could we allow awop time for a planned trip. we also had rules about how far in advance vacation time had to be submitted and approved (first right of refusal to senior employees...). that said-dh was hired by an agency with identical rules and we had a vacation planned-he advised the hireing person when offered the job and they were able to arrange a limited duration "leave of absence"-however it was after his probation period had ended.

maybe see if you can find out what their policies are so you know if it's even a possibility before you ask.

 

[cheyita]

Thanks to everyone for the insight! I will be in this same situation in August when I start applying for a job. As you can see in my siggie, we intend to visit WDW in December. I wasn't sure how to approach the issue when interviewing comes around. Now I know!

(Although a part of me thinks that if I get a new job, maybe I shouldn't take time off so soon and just wait until I earn it. Plus, since it involves taking the kids out of school, I don't know... If it weren't WDW... )

 

[KelNottAt]

I work at a very large corporation. For legal reasons, all our job offers are made over the phone then, if the applicant accepts, s/h gets an official offer letter in writing.

If your potential new employer works the same way, I think it would OK for you to ask for your 6 days off to be included in your offer letter along with salary and other stuff. You can even ask them to address whether it would bepaid or unpaid time off.

Good luck.

 

[LuvTigger]

I guess I'm in the minority here -- I actually do NOT agree with the "interview tips" advice. I conduct interviews for my office, and I would prefer that the candidate be up front during the interview about any vacations they already know about.

Existing vacation plans usually aren't a problem and typically aren't a factor in determining if we will or won't offer that person a position, but we would rather know about it during the interview so we can determine how we're going to work it out in terms of scheduling.

At this point, I would definitely mention it if the job is offered, but no later than that.

 

[mtemm]

I would tell them after they extend the offer and put it as part of your acceptance. I would not tell them prior to an offer.