Do you mention time off...

vgmartinez

for the wedding and/or honeymoon during an interview with a potential employer? I'm going to be applying for a few jobs that offer benefits and better compensation. I'm just worried that I won't have enough time saved up at a new job by October. If I don't mention it, I don't want to seem like I'm hiding things if I mention it two weeks after (and if) i'm hired.

So, do you ask about time off and let your interviewer know that you will soon be getting married and leaving for a honeymoon?

brookelynpaisley

I wouldn't at a first interview - the goal is for both parties to see if it's a good fit. If you get to the point of interviewing where you're discussing salary and benefits, then I might bring it up, especially if they mention that vacation time is accrued. I would preface it as you are getting married in October and have plans in place and it's important to you to ensure that you can complete your job training and perform your job duties and that you'll make every effort to accomodate your plans.

katiewhompus

I would wait until you received the actual offer before saying anything.

tenofcups4me

I wouldn't bring it up until you get an actual offer.

Brie2010

Nope.  I got a job about 7 months before the wedding, and I was up front about it in my second interview, when they wanted to get to know ME more rather than my qualifications, like in the first interview.  I waited a few months to ask for specific dates off.

MyNameIsNot

My DH started a new job about a month before we got married.  He mentioned it when they called to offer him the position.  It worked out fine.

I wouldn't start the job and wait to mention it, as they may not give you the time off, and it looks sort of shady.  

vgmartinez

Thanks for the advice! Sounds like it's better to wait until they call with an offer or at the second interview when talking about salary and benefits.

karbar42

I personally would wait for an offer, and then make that part of the negotiation of the package.

This way if it was a close decision after the 2nd interview for them, that wouldn't factor into the decision.

lauralaur

I mentioned it in the first interview where I work now, they appreciated the heads up and it did factor into my salary offer since I wasn't going to have the vacation time (they offered $X if I took the week unpaid and $Y if I took it paid).

squirrly

I'm looking for jobs in Boston because we're moving just after the wedding.  I've had a couple of preliminary interviews that asked 1) why I'm looking to move, and 2) what my possible start date would be, and I've been honest and upfront with all of it.  So far, no issues with it.  But, I haven't said "Oh, by the way, I could start in two weeks, but I'd have to take 3 weeks off after that." 

If I weren't trying to relocate, I don't think the questions would have come up at all, though.

e_jarrett

I mentioned it at the first (and only) official interview I had and I start the job Monday and am getting married in 2.5 months. They are giving me 2 weeks of unpaid vacation. Salary and benefits and everything else came up in that interview as well, so I suppose that might be a good indicator of whether you should mention it?

katiewhompus

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mention-time-off?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a11de4a1-01a2-4bfe-9066-9cc9fc6db879Post:4dcc180d-7bd3-477d-a0e7-74b347f705f9">Re: Do you mention time off...</a>:
[QUOTE]I had this come up when I was interviewing for the job I had now (not wedding time off - 3 weeks off for another trip. I actually brought it up during the interview and the said they appreciated the honesty. The job market was not as competitive then and I wasn't even sure I wanted this job so that may be a bad example!
Posted by therickson[/QUOTE]


I think that's a big part of it. I know if I were doing an interview and had 2 candidates who were fairly close in qualifications, personality, etc. and one said "oh btw I'm goign to need 3 weeks off right after I start" I would be more inclined to go with the second.

akhensley81

I work in HR... waiting all the way until they make an offer may give them the wrong idea. It looks like you were holding out and that your acceptance of the offer is contingent on them granting you the time off. As a recruiter, if a final candidate suddenly threw me that curve at the 1-yard line, I might move on to someone else entirely.

The 2nd interview would be the best time to bring this up. You simply need to tell them that you're getting married and have already planned a honeymoon, and give them the dates. Depending on their vacation policy, you may need to accept the time off unpaid. But they shouldn't have any trouble granting it, with that much head's up.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_mention-time-off?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a11de4a1-01a2-4bfe-9066-9cc9fc6db879Post:f744cfb0-f8ae-4891-b7f9-51d85956be4e">Re: Do you mention time off...</a>:
[QUOTE]I personally would wait for an offer, and then make that part of the negotiation of the package. <strong>This way if it was a close decision after the 2nd interview for them, that wouldn't factor into the decision.</strong>
Posted by karbar42[/QUOTE]

Um, but that's kind of the point. If it is something that WILL factor into their decision (they need someone in the position for x amount of time, they don't have anyone to cover more than x days of vacation at a time) then they need to know that. Otherwise, they could claim they hired you under false pretenses.

Pirata13

I agree with 2nd interview/offer if no 2nd interview.  But definitely at one of those points mention it.  That even if it is unpaid/partially unpaid, that your HM Is booked and you will need that time off.  My 1st interview was my hire interview--when they reviewed the benefit package & vacation time with me, I did state that if I were hired, there were a few days I would need off that December, as I was in my brother's wedding.  It was not a problem.

ekimberl

I'm in HR and can tell you that hiring managers expect that you have a life outside of work.  If you have a prior commitment, they're usually ok with that.  Just don't expect that the time off would be paid.  I'd wait and mention it after the offer but before accepting.