When to tell potential new job about time off?

climbingsingle

I'm getting a little ahead of myself, I know. I have a job interview tomorrow. When is the right time to tell them that I'm getting married and will be on a HM for 10 days? During the interview? If they extend an offer to me? I feel like it's something I should be upfront about, considering it's less than 2 months away. 

ShallowSeas

I just had a job interview a month ago and I waited until she offered me the position before I told her about needing  time off.  I wanted to be upfront about needing time off for our HM but I also didn't want it to effect her decision in hiring me.

hellosweetie1015

I am always up front about planned vacations like that. I got hired in September at the last place I worked, but I told them during the interview that I had a trip planned and paid for already for the week after Christmas, which was four months in the future. 

I'd tell them in the interview - but I would just say, "I'm going to be out of town from Date to Date on a previously planned trip. Will that be a problem?"

cupcait927

I would say wait until after you're offered a position. I ws in the same boat a year ago - went for an interview for a new job and FI and I had already paid for our vacation in September. Once I received the offer, I discussed my upcoming trip with my new boss before accepting the position and she was completely fine with it.

emmyg65

At the offer stage. That's when you can negotiate lots of things, like an increased salary or time off. You have much more leeway once you have a written offer in hand.

littlemushroom

That discussion should definitely wait until you have the offer.  The "experts" always say you shouldn't ask any questions about their time off policy, how much vacation you get, etc, until after you are offered the job because it really doesn't matter until you are offered the job (not to mention it makes it look like you are already looking for ways out of working).  

I think this falls under the same category.  Your planned HM doesn't matter to them unless they hire you.  Plus, like @emmyg65 said, the offer stage is when you can negotiate things like that.

JaxInBlue

Agree with PPs.  During the offer stage - you can negotiate/leverage/etc. then more effectively than when you are still a candidate.  DH was job hunting in the three months before our wedding.  When he received an offer, he let them know about our wedding and travel plans at that point.  He actually got a month off out of the deal since his old contract was ending and the new place decided to have him start at the second of two preferred dates, which was after the wedding.

climbingsingle

Thanks all! I'll wait until I get an offer, if that happens. 

theartistformerlyknownas

Agree with PPs to wait until the offer stage when you're discussing the comp and vaca package, specifically when they tell you how many PTO days you'll have your first year. Then you say "I have a trip booked x to y; will this be a problem?" If they don't offer you enough paid days you may have to negotiate unpaid leave.

Good luck!

Ndelible

As a manager, I prefer to be told in the interview. If the candidate is good and who we think is right for the position, a preplanned trip or commitment does not matter. Waiting for the offer stage is a tad late, IMO. These days, any serious employer is going to do at least two interviews for anyone they are seriously considering. When you know it's a possibility is the best time to mention it.

daria24

To protect yourself, always wait until you have an offer. Of course managers prefer to know ahead of time, it makes it a lot easier to knock you off the list. 

Ndelible

@daria0927‌ Yeah I figured someone would point that out, but throughout my career, I've seen people hired with all kinds of set plans for time off and have hired a few myself. It's more important to get the right person for the job long term. A good indication is honesty and being upfront. A prospective employee who tells me about set plans tells me the person is conscientious and considerate; two very important attributes for a good worker and employee.

QueerFemme

I would not tell them in the interview stage. Unless they are actually offering me employment, my plans in 2 months are none of their business.

Senecaf

I just went through his and waited toll the offer was made. I started my new job today and will be off for two weeks in 2 weeks time. They are alright with it but I didn't want to disqualify myself and it felt presumptuous to declare that while interviewing.

manateehugger

Ndelible said:

@daria0927‌ Yeah I figured someone would point that out, but throughout my career, I've seen people hired with all kinds of set plans for time off and have hired a few myself. It's more important to get the right person for the job long term. A good indication is honesty and being upfront. A prospective employee who tells me about set plans tells me the person is conscientious and considerate; two very important attributes for a good worker and employee.

I've been on hiring committees. While it's great you think this way, I don't think it's common.

And not rambling about all the vacation you'll need isn't dishonest; it's humble and appropriate. I would never in my dreams tell a manager during an interview about all the time off I would need. It would feel so presumptuous.

JoanE2012

QueerFemme said:

I would not tell them in the interview stage. Unless they are actually offering me employment, my plans in 2 months are none of their business.

This!  I wouldn't share anything until made an offer.

slothiegal

Count me in with those who say to wait until you have an offer--exactly what I did with the job I have now. Good luck tomorrow, rockstar!

Ndelible

To clarify, I mean in the latter interview process, and not when you sit down initially; when you know that you're in final serious contention. Perhaps I work in a field where we are very interested in long term employees, but time off is not an automatic disqualified by any means.

QueerFemme

I work in a law, where most of our employees are long term employees.  Still, no one says anything about a potential vacation or scheduling conflict until they get an offer letter. 

Ndelible

Oh, law indeed may be different. Agreed.

climbingsingle

Thanks @slothiegal ! 

I never thought of it being presumptuous but you ladies are definitely right! I won't say anything during the interview. 

Ahh! So nervous! 

blabla89

Good luck today @ClimbingBrideNY!

climbingsingle

Thank you @blabla89 ! 

JennyColada

Ndelible said:

As a manager, I prefer to be told in the interview. If the candidate is good and who we think is right for the position, a preplanned trip or commitment does not matter. Waiting for the offer stage is a tad late, IMO. These days, any serious employer is going to do at least two interviews for anyone they are seriously considering. When you know it's a possibility is the best time to mention it.

This is very different though. An employer pretty much always view any situation differently from the employee. I mean, I'd also prefer, as a manager, for all of my potential employees to want minimum wage and to have completely open availability. I would want them to tell me "hey, I'm leaving for school in two months and am going to quit after just working for you for 8 weeks!" but that's not going to happen.

And as a manager, you should also understand that that may taint your view of the candidate. We all have to watch our for our own. As a manager myself, I'd say the offer. I mean, it's still my decision as a manager to work around your vacation or not.

theartistformerlyknownas

I'm a manager too, and have interviewed people for years. I would not want anyone to tell me about vacation needs until they've gotten an offer. I especially don't want to hear up front that said vacation is a honeymoon, or that you're gonna have a baby, etc. It has nothing to do with honesty, and I intend for all of my hires to stay a long time. But too many people discriminate against candidates, especially women, for personal reasons and if I choose not to hire someone because their qualifications aren't a good match, I don't want to get an angry phone call accusing me of turning them down just so I didn't lose them to a vacation or maternity leave. The less you know, the less you can be accused of discrimination.

kns1988

Second the PPs who say wait until the offer. I have an interview on Thursday with another department and I plan on waiting until if/when they make an offer to request my 2 weeks off in October. Luckily, it's the same corporate employer and my PTO time will transfer.

climbingsingle

kns1988 said:

Second the PPs who say wait until the offer. I have an interview on Thursday with another department and I plan on waiting until if/when they make an offer to request my 2 weeks off in October. Luckily, it's the same corporate employer and my PTO time will transfer.

Good luck!