Problem solved – interviews

I want to attend interviews for other jobs but I don't want to lie to my current employer

Most prospective employers and recruitment agencies understand that taking time off for interview when you’re holding down a full-time job can be difficult, and will be accommodating, by arranging times before or after work, or at lunchtime. But even these can eat into work time – and if you’re called to attend an assessment centre or an extended second interview, a half-day or even a whole day may be required.

For those shorter initial interviews that require time off, it’s common for people to invent a doctor or dentist’s appointment, or for them (or their children) to conveniently fall sick. Yet telling a lie poses an obvious ethical dilemma: if you falsify a reason for taking time off (for which you’re being paid), you’re essentially stealing from your employer. In fact, it’s not an ethical dilemma at all – it’s pretty black and white.

And even most of those who don’t look at it quite this deeply will still feel a pang of guilt (perhaps for colleagues who have to take on their workload, if not actually for their employer), or will worry about their lie being found out. Neither is conducive to quelling interview nerves. When you book time off, you’re under no obligation to disclose your reason, so you could try simply saying (in a confident voice) that you need the time for an urgent personal matter (you might be surprised at how little interest your boss takes).

However, there’s likewise no obligation to grant you the time off. If your boss is inflexible, it’s unlikely that the company wanting to see you would cancel the interview. And of course, it will demonstrate your loyalty and integrity if you say you don’t want to lie to your employer.

And if your boss does suspect that you’re out on interview, he or she may even take steps to check that you’re OK in the office – and even act to keep you on board. Makes sense.

"When you book time off, you’re under no obligation to disclose your reason, so you could try simply saying that you need the time for an urgent personal matter "