I am a recent hire at a very small company, and haven't finished my waiting period for benefits and vacation. I never intended for this to be a long term position, honestly I just needed a way to pay rent while I job hunted. The main city that I'm looking for employment in is a four hour drive away. My problem is inevitably I'm getting offers for interviews but without vacation or sick days I don't know how to get out of work to go to them. I don't want to 1.) offend my boss 2.) lie 3.) or end up losing my current job that I need to pay bills... any thoughts are appreciated...

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Originally Posted by happy2003

I am a recent hire at a very small company, and haven't finished my waiting period for benefits and vacation. I never intended for this to be a long term position, honestly I just needed a way to pay rent while I job hunted. The main city that I'm looking for employment in is a four hour drive away. My problem is inevitably I'm getting offers for interviews but without vacation or sick days I don't know how to get out of work to go to them. I dont want to 1.) offend my boss 2.) lie 3.) or end up losing my current job that I need to pay bills... any thoughts are appreciated...

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Will they interview on a Saturday - depends on the job, I suppose. Otherwise I see no way to make an 8 hour round trip on a work day without offending your present employer, lost your job, lying.

As an employer this makes me uneasy - your employer hired you (I would think) for the long run, has given you some level of training and is now possibly in for a big shock!

Is your employer aware you never planned on this being long term employment? If he is, I see no problem taking a day off and applying for a job but I don't read that into your post.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Will they interview on a Saturday - depends on the job, I suppose. Otherwise I see no way to make an 8 hour round trip on a work day without offending your present employer, lost your job, lying.

As an employer this makes me uneasy - your employer hired you (I would think) for the long run, has given you some level of training and is now possibly in for a big shock!

Is your employer aware you never planned on this being long term employment? If he is, I see no problem taking a day off and applying for a job but I don't read that into your post.

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Now I feel bad. The employer does assume that I'm in for the long haul, but I just can't stay at this job. It's small with no real way to move up, (there are 3 other people in this office) I'm getting paid barely enough to keep a roof over my head and pay my student loan, and I'm not offered any type of health... plus I'm not interested at all in the job.

Obviously I can't quit in hopes of getting another position, I have to have an income. So I'm torn between doing the right thing, or sleeping on the streets...

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Originally Posted by happy2003

Now I feel bad. The employer does assume that I'm in for the long haul, but I just can't stay at this job. It's small with no real way to move up, (there are 3 other people in this office) I'm getting paid barely enough to keep a roof over my head and pay my student loan, and I'm not offered any type of health... plus I'm not interested at all in the job.

Obviously I can't quit in hopes of getting another position, I have to have an income. So I'm torn between doing the right thing, or sleeping on the streets....

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I'm not judging and I have no problem if you are unhappy - my issue is with your original intention which you stated was not to stay on the job.

On the other hand - it's employment, not slavery and you can go wherever you want whenever you want. Be aware, of course, that when you apply for other employment you have no guarantee that the prospective employer won't contact the old employer for a reference, no matter what guarantees they make to you.

And what about Saturday interviews?

Most companies can understand if you have a job but are looking for another and can't get anytime off. Actually the interviewer will probably appreciate the fact that your not so willing to miss work. It shows dedication. Ask if they can possibly interview on Saturday or during the evening on a weekday. Offer to bring food... (cake, pie, donuts, etc).

Judykaytee is dead on right...

If you get the opportunity to interview with another company and don't have personal time to take, you need to do it some other way.

I worked at a university that would get applications from all over the world. It wasn't uncommon to do a phone interview before inviting serious candidates to meet with us.

If you get a response, seriously be up front. Tell the prospective employer that you would be glad to do a preliminary interview over the phone or on a Saturday, but your current employment prevents you from interviewing during the week due to distance and work demands.

I appreciate the thoughts...

CAREER hunting isn't the same as JOB hunting... so this will be helpful..

Go easy on yourself...

I've taken a job to pay the bills and then two months later left when a better one came around... I honestly told the employer, who begged me to stay, that I needed a salary and benefit package that at least matched the competitor...

I knew they couldn't match it, and they didn't... and I walked away feeling like I at least gave them a fair chance.