Work related question..Update post 11*Interview today....pixie dust needed, please!*

[tiff211]

I can't stand my job and have been looking since November of last year (started in Oct.). Apparently my company pays very well because I have been having a hard time finding anything in my pay range. A month ago, I saw a great position at a company that I was very excited about. I applied and got a call from the HR dept the same day. The pay would even be the same which is fine by me. Since I hadn't heard anything, I figured it was a no-go even though the HR person said she would pass my info on to the hiring manager. I temp. stopped looking because of our upcoming trip to WDW the beginning of April. Tuesday evening when I got home, I checked my messages and there was a message from HR from THE company saying that the hiring manager wanted to do a 15 minute phone interview either Wed. or Thurs. We set it up for yesterday. Luckily we have private phone rooms here.

So, I thought the conversation went very well and it seemed like he liked me and my experience. He said he was narrowing down to the top 3 and would be calling for in person interviews by the end of next week. 1/2 hour later the HR person calls me to let me know that the hiring manager wanted to set up an interview this week and would meet me half way at lunchtime. I called him to set up the logisitics and let him know that Fri was dress down day here and if I came to work dressed for an interview it would be a red flag. He said he understood no problem. He let me know he wanted the start date to be, I am thinking don't say it, don't say it, FIRST WEEK OF APRIL . Yep, he said it. I explained that I was going out of town that week and again he said no problem as he was trying to take the week of as well so I could start the 9th if I got the position.

Now, my trip is paid for and unless there was absolutely no way around it don't want to cancel. Will the fact that I told him about my plans be a strike against me? Not putting all my eggs in one basket but if I get the job, how can I manuever it so I still get paid for my vacation? Can't afford the time unpaid! Any input appreciated~

 

[hiwaygal]

I don't think you telling him about your plans will be a strike against you.

Now...about the getting paid part. Do you have vacation time on the books at your current job? Will you still get that paid if you quit?

 

[Bob Slydell]

I'm confused. I thought you said they would back up your start date to not interfere with your vacation? If that's the case, then you should be fine. I don't see them using that as a strike against you, unless it's a position they really need filled by the original start date.

As far as getting paid for the vacation time -- unless you have unused vacation time in your current job, I would assume you're out of luck. I don't know of any company that would make your first week of work a paid vacation.

 

[mylightshines]

I would give not give my two-week notice until 3/19 and then work through 3/30. Do you have any unused vacation that time you'll get paid for when you leave? Unfortunately, I don't see any way other than hopefully getting paid for unused vacation time to get paid for that vacation. Even if you started the job now and took the week off in April, I doubt a company would pay you for that week. I started my job in April and took a week off in May to go to Disney. I explained just like you did during the interview process. The company allowed me to take the time off, just unpaid.

 

[NMAmy]

Frankly, it's always easier for me if someone takes vacation before they start a new position. Those first few weeks are taken up with training anyway and I have other strategies for taking care of the work they'd be doing.

As for getting paid for vacation time, I assume you're talking about from your present company? If you get paid for unused vacation time, won't you get the money for that anyway?

 

[merekc]

You never know if it will be a strike against you needing to take the time off.
This was never a big deal where I worked especially when people tell them up front. You can also bring it up again in the interview so you can read their body language and discuss it further. If you read the situation to be that it is an issue, you then need to decide are you willing to cancel the trip. If so, you can mention in the interview, that you have a trip scheduled and would really like to keep it, but if it makes a difference between getting the job and not, you would be willing to cancel your trip (if you are). To me this shows a dedicated employee.

On a different note, I would take a change of outfit and stop somewhere and dress up for the interview. To me if you are applying for a professional job it is never appropriate to go dressed down. Just my two cents. Good luck on your interview.

 

[MareQ]

It depends on your current employers vacation policy. If they pay people for unused vacation time when then quit - then quit 3 weeks before you start the new job - you will still have given your 2 weeks notice and should request your vacation pay with your final pay check.

 

[tiff211]

Frankly, it's always easier for me if someone takes vacation before they start a new position. Those first few weeks are taken up with training anyway and I have other strategies for taking care of the work they'd be doing.

As for getting paid for vacation time, I assume you're talking about from your present company? If you get paid for unused vacation time, won't you get the money for that anyway?

Since I am still fairly new, I haven't really accured too much vacation time. Starting for the 2007 year, you get a day for each month up to two weeks. I also bought a week which is taken out of my pay equally through the year. I don't know how that works if/when I leave.

I guess I'll wait to get the job before I stress!

 

[tiff211]

You never know if it will be a strike against you needing to take the time off.
This was never a big deal where I worked especially when people tell them up front. You can also bring it up again in the interview so you can read their body language and discuss it further. If you read the situation to be that it is an issue, you then need to decide are you willing to cancel the trip. If so, you can mention in the interview, that you have a trip scheduled and would really like to keep it, but if it makes a difference between getting the job and not, you would be willing to cancel your trip (if you are). To me this shows a dedicated employee.

On a different note, I would take a change of outfit and stop somewhere and dress up for the interview. To me if you are applying for a professional job it is never appropriate to go dressed down. Just my two cents. Good luck on your interview.

I thought about that but I only have an hour to get there and back and I thought it would be better to be able to utilize the maximum amount of time for the interview. He is coming from his house to meet me at a taco mac. I just planned to wear dress jeans, a turtle neck, a blazer and dress boots.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i think its great you wer so honest about your vacation and its seems like he was ok with it
better to tell them now than get the job and then spring it on them

 

[tiff211]

So I have my interview today and I am very nervous. I did manage to dress up, my friend told me to say I was going out to dinner and wouldn't have time to change.

We are meeting at a restaurant and I have never had an interview over lunch before. So, I am trying to figure out what to order beforehand that is not too messy and also somewhat healthy (he indicated he was a health nut, me not so much!)

But I am excited and will not worry about not getting paid that week. If it was really that serious, I probably shouldn't be spending all that money on Disney, huh?

Wish me luck!

 

[Maleficent13]

I'm not familiar with "taco mac" but assuming it's Mexican, order a taco salad with chicken (or vegetarian) rather than beef. Healthier, and you can eat it with a fork so less mess.

Just a suggestion. Oh, and go with water or iced tea.

 

[Hedy]

Good luck!
An interviewing class I once took suggested a non-boney fish.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Good luck! If it is meant to be, it will be.

 

[MareQ]

I'm not familiar with "taco mac" but assuming it's Mexican, order a taco salad with chicken (or vegetarian) rather than beef. Healthier, and you can eat it with a fork so less mess.

Just a suggestion. Oh, and go with water or iced tea.

Yeah you definitely want something you need to eat with a fork. No soups, no sandwiches or anything that you have to pick up and bite etc. Good luck!