Another Job Interview Dilemma

[Wahesh]

Those lurking around in Movember may remember this thread: http://www.thekennel.net.au/forum/i...shave-or-not-to-shave-opinions-please.104119/

Now, I have another dilemma. I have another job interview (different company) and it's on Wednesday 8:00am. I'm usually in the office by 7:30am. How can I justify my approximate 2 hour lateness?

This company gave me the option between 8:00am and 1:00pm, but I didn't want to leave the office wearing a tie and jacket (neither of which I wear to work) as it would be obvious I'm going to an interview. Turning up at work without a tie after the interview isn't a problem. however I can't hide my jacket. I don't know what to do there.

Please note: I'm not in my previous job, as I would've just taken the day off. I started a new temporary role this week. It's only for 3 months, but it won't look too good if I apply for it if it's advertised considering I was 2 hours late in my 2nd week. I'm thinking of saying I hate my annual property inspection and that was the only time as the tenants have to pick up their kids after work/school.

Thanks :

 

[Bad Billy]

Doctors appointment.

 

[south of heaven]

tell em you shit you're self and you need to bolt out for a bit to clean up

 

[Boxer]

Call a sickie, what kind of a Leb are you lol.

 

[Wahesh]

Now I just received a phone call and it appears my interview has been from. It's gone from being at 8:00am to 2:00pm. I've gone from first to last

Just my luck ay.

 

[Mr Invisible]

It's only a temp job you moved into from a full time job? There's a good chance you'll get kept after that time anyway.

Lieing to an employer is never a good thing, and people often get caught out as they quickly forget their lies.

 

[Nasheed]

@Wahesh
Enter your new work minus the tie and suit, you just look like you are wearing nice pants and a nice shirt, standard office gear really.

Your best bet is to say family emergency. This deters them into not asking many follow up questions. Say sick family member + cancer scare.

Put yourself in the employers shoes, they dont want to deal with awkward personal issues. Just be upfront with what day you are late.

 

[Indiandog]

@Wahesh
Enter your new work minus the tie and suit, you just look like you are wearing nice pants and a nice shirt, standard office gear really.

Your best bet is to say family emergency. This deters them into not asking many follow up questions. Say sick family member + cancer scare.

Put yourself in the employers shoes, they dont want to deal with awkward personal issues. Just be upfront with what day you are late.

lol Nasheed,

whats with the signature/ biography at the bottom?

 

[Wahesh]

It's only a temp job you moved into from a full time job? There's a good chance you'll get kept after that time anyway.

Lieing to an employer is never a good thing, and people often get caught out as they quickly forget their lies.

Well I moved from one temp job (that was ending) to another. This one I'm in now is a longer-term temp job though.

I know it's not a good thing to lie and I don't want to, but we're talking about a job interview here. Just say I don't succeed at the job interview, I may have an extension at my current workplace to fall back on, but if I tell them I have an interview, I guess I can kiss any chance of an extension goodbye.

 

[Wahesh]

@Wahesh
Enter your new work minus the tie and suit, you just look like you are wearing nice pants and a nice shirt, standard office gear really.

Your best bet is to say family emergency. This deters them into not asking many follow up questions. Say sick family member + cancer scare.

Put yourself in the employers shoes, they dont want to deal with awkward personal issues. Just be upfront with what day you are late.

The problem isn't the tie - that goes straight into my bag. The problem is the jacket. How am I supposed to hide that? It won't fit anywhere around here. And I don't wear it to work usually, so I can't really justify it on a 30 degree day.

Now that it's in the afternoon, I can probably say something a little more believable, but what?

 

[Nasheed]

The problem isn't the tie - that goes straight into my bag. The problem is the jacket. How am I supposed to hide that? It won't fit anywhere around here. And I don't wear it to work usually, so I can't really justify it on a 30 degree day.

Now that it's in the afternoon, I can probably say something a little more believable, but what?

How are you getting yourself from A to B?

 

[Wolfmother]

The problem isn't the tie - that goes straight into my bag. The problem is the jacket. How am I supposed to hide that? It won't fit anywhere around here. And I don't wear it to work usually, so I can't really justify it on a 30 degree day.

Now that it's in the afternoon, I can probably say something a little more believable, but what?

I can tell you're an honest guy .. Good for you.

Mr I has a point if you lie and you're caught out it will be extremely difficult to regain credibility with your workmates and employer.

I'd go with the excuse of specialist appointment .. But there needs to be a lead up .. Just tell one or two work colleagues that you've got rib pain that comes n goes .. Then a couple of days before tell your employer that you've been slotted in for an appointment but its at 2pm is it ok if you can go ? ( surgery shutting down for Christmas break and last opportunity)

Take your suit to the dry cleaners near the station and pick it up on the way through

 

[Wahesh]

How are you getting yourself from A to B?

It's in the city. I work in the city. Getting there isn't an issue. 15 min walk.

 

[Wahesh]

I can tell you're an honest guy .. Good for you.

Mr I has a point if you lie and you're caught out it will be extremely difficult to regain credibility with your workmates and employer.

I'd go with the excuse of specialist appointment .. But there needs to be a lead up .. Just tell one or two work colleagues that you've got rib pain that comes n goes .. Then a couple of days before tell your employer that you've been slotted in for an appointment but its at 2pm is it ok if you can go ? ( surgery shutting down for Christmas break and last opportunity)

Take your suit to the dry cleaners near the station and pick it up on the way through

Well the cleaner near me I don't think they'll just hold it right - the wouldn't want to be treated like a cloak room - but it was a good though.

Yeah I think I'll need to say something on Monday - and the Christmas shutdown stuff works well this time of year.

Thanks Wolfy :

 

[Mr Invisible]

Honesty might work in your favour too.

"I have an interview for a full time job, as I know this is only a temp position. May I please duck out at XYZ and make the time up another night/come in early/work late/work through lunch".

Remember, employees are assets to a business (either good or bad assets).

Now sure it's not an elaborate excuse, but it may spark your current employer to actually offer full time employment (in particular if you are seen as a good valuable asset). If not, and they are now aware you are looking around, it was never going to go past the point of temp employment anyway.

Nothing lost, nothing gained, but you remain respectable and honest the entire time.

 

[Wahesh]

Honesty might work in your favour too.

"I have an interview for a full time job, as I know this is only a temp position. May I please duck out at XYZ and make the time up another night/come in early/work late/work through lunch".

Remember, employees are assets to a business (either good or bad assets).

Now sure it's not an elaborate excuse, but it may spark your current employer to actually offer full time employment (in particular if you are seen as a good valuable asset). If not, and they are now aware you are looking around, it was never going to go past the point of temp employment anyway.

Nothing lost, nothing gained, but you remain respectable and honest the entire time.

Mate in an ideal world, that would be perfect. The thing is as I've only been here a week I don't think that I would have proved my value. Sadly, that works against me.

 

[@nchorman]

The best thing would be to call in sick. People will notice you start to get more agitated as the time goes on for you to say you have to go. Also they will notice your hair/freshly shaven/more perfume etc. All telltale signs that you think don't matter but do.

Just call in sick and prepare for the interview for the day

 

[Wahesh]

The best thing would be to call in sick. People will notice you start to get more agitated as the time goes on for you to say you have to go. Also they will notice your hair/freshly shaven/more perfume etc. All telltale signs that you think don't matter but do.

Just call in sick and prepare for the interview for the day

That's a good point, but I don't get agitated that much. I think what I'll do is come in early (I'm usually the first one in), say to my manager I have an appointment (which technically isnt' a lie) and put my jacket on the back of my chair so it's not obvious as I'm not wearing it. Then when I leave, just tuck it under my arm. Put the tie and stuff on afterwards lol. I can't think of anything else.

 

[Alan79]

I would think honesty is the best policy here too. The main. Thing you have in your favour right now is that you are only two weeks in. You could tell the boss you applied for numerous jobs before being called to start here and that this is a delayed call back. Apologise for the fact you feel the need to attend the interview, but explain that you want the security of a full time job. Tell him that you haven't sent out applications since accepting your current job. The boss might be annoyed that you may leave, but I suspect they will appreciate the honesty and if you have to stick it out there you can do so guilt free.

If you do opt to take the sneaky approach there are a few options.
- carry it in a dry cleaners bag like you picked it up on the way to work.
- Create a special occasion lunch requiring a jacket.
- Most people will ignore the jacket in an office so don't say anything unless asked. Look embarrassed and say your wife, girlfriend, sister our mother talked you into to taking it to keep up the good impression.

I'd opt for honesty here though.

 

[Wahesh]

I would think honesty is the best policy here too. The main. Thing you have in your favour right now is that you are only two weeks in. You could tell the boss you applied for numerous jobs before being called to start here and that this is a delayed call back. Apologise for the fact you feel the need to attend the interview, but explain that you want the security of a full time job. Tell him that you haven't sent out applications since accepting your current job. The boss might be annoyed that you may leave, but I suspect they will appreciate the honesty and if you have to stick it out there you can do so guilt free.

If you do opt to take the sneaky approach there are a few options.
- carry it in a dry cleaners bag like you picked it up on the way to work.
- Create a special occasion lunch requiring a jacket.
- Most people will ignore the jacket in an office so don't say anything unless asked. Look embarrassed and say your wife, girlfriend, sister our mother talked you into to taking it to keep up the good impression.

I'd opt for honesty here though.

Far out, I would've never thoughht of that. Thanks man

One of my colleagues is known for mixing it up a little, sometimes he comes in smart casual, other times with a full suit, sometimes professional minus the tie and jacket... that's the way to do it. I can't stand ties though.