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Best way to tell the boss you need time off for an interview?

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by NewRoxFan, May 19, 2011.

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  1. NewRoxFan

    NewRoxFan Member

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    I know this opens up to some pretty funny posts, but... I have the possibility of not one but two different interviews requiring me to travel for in-person interviews. And whenever I have done this in the past I have struggled and stressed over the best way to communicate the need to take time off to do the interviews. Its hard enough when its a local company, but most of the time I am interviewing out of state so it adds to the time needed and the stress of communicating the need. So hoping I can draw on the collective wisdom for advice.

    As background, I am working as a contract employee and I am really unhappy where I am currently, but the job market is really challenging and so I am doing everything to hang on until I find something (anything) else. A few months ago I interviewed outside the state, and didn't do well in the asking time off, and in the process I had to travel to interview, rearrange my return travel and instead take a late night flight to be in a meeting with my employer the next day. I didn't get the new job and went through major stress to be in the meeting the next day. So hopefully doing a better job requesting the needed time off will help avoid problems.

    Both of the interviews are opportunities on the west coast and so I know they will require at least two days; the full day of interviewing and most of a day traveling back to Houston. One is definitely going to happen (just found out last night).

    Any advice would be much appreciated!
     
    #1 NewRoxFan, May 19, 2011
  2. emjohn

    emjohn Member

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    Just ask for 2 personal days off.

    If pressed, you'd better lie and say it's a wedding or your imaginary sister having her first child or a minor medical procedure.
     
    #2 emjohn, May 19, 2011
  3. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    I had to do this a few times. I just called in sick.
     
    #3 Air Langhi, May 19, 2011
  4. DaDakota

    DaDakota Balance wins
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    Sick or vacation time, no other way to do it .

    DD
     
    #4 DaDakota, May 19, 2011
  5. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Member

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    I hope you started this thread only because you don't have any vacation or personal days.
     
    #5 Oski2005, May 19, 2011
  6. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    As a contract employee, I assume it is possible, you get no vacation. That being the case, just say you need a few days off. You are not obligated to tell anyone what you are doing on your days off.
     
    #6 bobrek, May 19, 2011
  7. The Real Shady

    The Real Shady Member

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    Still applies today.

    [​IMG]
     
    #7 The Real Shady, May 19, 2011
  8. javal_lon

    javal_lon Member

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    He'll give you all the time you need if you ask him directly
     
    #8 javal_lon, May 19, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  9. Xerobull

    Xerobull ...and I'm all out of bubblegum

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    Just ask for the day off to take care of some personal business. Honestly, it should end there. If your boss presses (unprofessional), just say that it's a delicate private matter. If your boss presses more, show him your penis with dried oatmeal on it and say it's scabs. Then scream how you did it for him, dad, you did it for him because you want just want him to love you.
     
    #9 Xerobull, May 19, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  10. NewRoxFan

    NewRoxFan Member

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    Yes, as a contract employee I don't get vacation, sick leave, or company-paid benefits.

    I know I over think things, and put that much more stress on me. Previously I worked on a temp contract job that was only 10-15 hours a week and I still wrapped myself around the axle scheduling an interview in California, having the interviewing company schedule my return flight as a red eye to minimize any impact on the contract job. Crazy, I know.

    I will tell them I need the two days off. Worst case, they end my contract and I don't have to stress over that anymore. ;)
     
    #10 NewRoxFan, May 19, 2011
  11. Chuck 4

    Chuck 4 Member

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    Taking your Dog to the Vet. Works every time.
     
    #11 Chuck 4, May 19, 2011
  12. K mf G

    K mf G Member

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    this is exactly right, people stress all the time about what to say about time off needed, you dont have to say anything except you need the time off

    my emails that notify my boss and coworkers consist of this message
    "i'm not coming in today"
    when i get back fill out the request of leave form for sick days
     
    #12 K mf G, May 19, 2011
  13. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    Last November I had to fly to London for an interview, which resulted in a job change. Just a matter of plugging in a few vacation days.

    I would think as a contract employee that requesting 2-3 personal days should not be a big deal. You shouldn't have to explain why.
     
    #13 A_3PO, May 19, 2011
  14. rhadamanthus

    rhadamanthus Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #14 rhadamanthus, May 19, 2011
  15. Giant9erRocket

    Giant9erRocket Hakeem Olajuwon Status

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    This a-hole employee of mines (not even one month working), called in and said his alternator wasn't working so he won't be coming in that day. Two days later he quit and said he found a job that would pay him $20k more. What a loser.
     
    #15 Giant9erRocket, May 19, 2011
  16. javal_lon

    javal_lon Member

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    sounds like he won in that situation....He's makin more,you're on clutchfans talkin about it...Not a good look
     
    #16 javal_lon, May 19, 2011
  17. Giant9erRocket

    Giant9erRocket Hakeem Olajuwon Status

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    That employee claims he will be paid $20k more which I find hard to believe, but its better he left in one month (with barely any training) rather than 1 year.

    The sad part is when we interviewed him he was gushing for the job, saying great things like I will work my way up in this company, I wish to be a general manager in the future, 3 weeks later he goes for another interview... what a loser. Why waste both of our time?

    Also, i'm on clutchfans now, sitting down, making more money in a single day than what average people get in a year of salary, looks like i'm winning...
     
    #17 Giant9erRocket, May 19, 2011
  18. krnxsnoopy

    krnxsnoopy Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #18 krnxsnoopy, May 19, 2011
  19. aghast

    aghast Member

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    Not if you're upset/complaining about losing a three-week hire.

    Perhaps you should pay your employees a competitive salary, rather than constantly refreshing the Social Security wage indices to see if you're still bad[-]ss?
     
    #19 aghast, May 19, 2011
  20. thadeus

    thadeus Member

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    Just take the time you need and, if he asks, tell him that the thadeus gave you permission.
     
    #20 thadeus, May 19, 2011
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