Interviewing while working - dilemma
I was wondering how people have multiple interviews while working a full-time job. I'm in the process for around five firms and they all have multiple rounds of 2+ hours interviews over these few weeks. I've already used a bunch of sick days for the first rounds, but I can't keep using sick days/doctor appointments as excuses for future rounds. What would your advice be?
I know I'll have a couple of in person interviews in two weeks, and I requested annual leave for those days but it got rejected as I didn't give two weeks notice. How do I now still do these interviews? If I call in sick on the days I had requested annual leave, it would just look so obvious and I'm worried my employer will realise.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some strategies and advice for managing multiple interviews while working a full-time job:
Use Varied Excuses:
Strategic Scheduling:
Work from Home:
Honesty with Employer:
Plan Ahead:
Use Personal Days:
Combine Excuses:
Backup Plan:
By using a combination of these strategies, you can manage your interview schedule without drawing too much attention from your current employer. Good luck with your interviews!
Sources: What excuses do you guys use to take time off for interviews?, Q&A: I just conducted interviews in 4 Superdays, The 24 Interview Lessons I Learned on the Way to Getting My First Full Time Job, Interviewing while having a current job, Navigating the Unemployment Terrain
As someone who had a similar experience (was juggling 3-4 different processes, all of which were between 5-8 interviews), a few things helped:
Being rinsed throughout the role (about 2 years into my analyst stint), I had a bit of goodwill and meant I could show up at 10am - means I was able to schedule morning interviews and still show up at a semi reasonable time. YMMV if this holds for you but this was the most important one for me
Lunch breaks are a good slot, I normally eat lunch out of the office so this helped / didn’t look sus
My group had a semi flexible WFH arrangement where I could work 1 day every other week from home. Scheduling a couple of F2F interviews was fine as I would just duck out to do these
Case studies / model tests were harder, I would generally try to do these on Fridays if it had to be in person and leave a bit earlier (4-5pm); most funds were pretty accommodating
Remote model tests would be over a weekend as it just involved them schedule sending an email
I’m not from the US so the buyside recruiting process isn’t anything like what I read about here, but hopefully some of the above is helpful. Really just a matter of finding the right gaps
Thank you! For context, I'm not from US either, I'm based in London working in FAANG but recruiting for MBB. Hence, the issue of interviews being longer than an hour due to multiple case interviews per round, so I can't really just do it during my lunch break when each round is 2+ hours. Even on WFH days, how do you avoid the scenario where your manager pings you and you're unresponsive?
Hey, I'd say from experience that's the risk/reward of applying for a new job. Yes, it does eat time, but also just make sure to get all of your work complete. Bosses typically know if you're absent that you are interviewing, that's the nature of the game. Whenever my reports have doctors appointment I always assume they are interviewing. Will they get mad if you leave, maybe, but you do what is best for you.
Ideally, you shouldn't be going on a ton of 2 hour interviews without landing a job, the other companies should also be accommodating at least for some interviews. Also, don't forgo one in the hand for 2 in the bush, meaning, doing what you need to keep your current job is 1A, interviewing if you wan to leave is 1B. Don't forgo 1A to go on every interview and end up getting canned. If all else fails, just find a quiet place away from your desk/group to have the interview if you are on zoom/teams. If you're actually going face to face, I'd save the time off for then.
Yeah that makes sense, issue is I'm recruiting for MBB which have multiple case interviews per round, hence the 2+ hour interviews. It's tough finding the balance between just doing enough so your current employer doesn't get too annoyed/suspicious while also being able to interview for multiple consulting firms
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