Interview..what to do?

Davey Do · Dec 8, 2018

I say go to the interview and give them the low down, Toaster. Can't hurt.

I applied for my current position at Wrongway Regional Medical Center in March 2003. A starting date was set. I informed my NM that I had planned a vacation for early April.

No problem- I worked a couple of weeks, my NM worked with me, I took my vacation and have worked at WRMC for 15 years, 8 months, 3 weeks and 4 days.

Good luck to you, Toaster!

BTW: It's only 1 month, 3 weeks, and 2 days until I'm eligible for Social Security!

Stay tuned...

Toaster2k18 · Dec 9, 2018

I say go to the interview and give them the low down, Toaster. Can't hurt.
I applied for my current position at Wrongway Regional Medical Center in March 2003. A starting date was set. I informed my NM that I had planned a vacation for early April.
No problem- I worked a couple of weeks, my NM worked with me, I took my vacation and have worked at WRMC for 15 years, 8 months, 3 weeks and 4 days.
Good luck to you, Toaster!
BTW: It's only 1 month, 3 weeks, and 2 days until I'm eligible for Social Security!
Stay tuned...

Thanks Davey!

Should I ask the start date if they don't tell me because usually from my experience the manager ask me when I can start. Also, did you inform the NM during the interview or after getting hired?

And..congrats on the eligibility on social security! (I had to google it haha)

Davey Do · Dec 9, 2018

You're welcome and thank you, Toaster.

Should I ask the start date if they don't tell me because usually from my experience the manager ask me when I can start. Also, did you inform the NM during the interview or after getting hired?

I interviewed for a position as a staff nurse and the NM asked when I could start. I told her I was open to the starting date but had a vacation planned in a few weeks.

Good luck to you Toaster!

cleback · Dec 9, 2018

Definitely go! They may not want you to start for a few months. If you get an offer, then you can let them know when you'd be available to start.

NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2018

I interviewed in April for a job that I couldn't start until June. I was hired without any issues.

Duranie · Dec 9, 2018

That is a pretty long vacation.

As far as a start date, I'd just tell them a date that is after you come back.

If you were only gonna be gone for a week or so, that'd be one thing... but I don't think they're going to want you to start and then be off the schedule for more than a month. :bored:

Toaster2k18 · Dec 9, 2018

Thanks all for the reply.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2018

I've negotiated new jobs honoring trips I've already booked/time off already planned the last 2 new jobs I've received. I would not mention it at the interview but ask about it before accepting an offer. Most likely if you start before the trip and negotiate with them, you will need to take the time off unpaid.

This is what I've done the last 2 times-

Last job- got offered a job I didn't even apply for on the spot after the company took me out to lunch to interview me. Received follow-up offer in writing from the office manager later that afternoon. Received an email from the manager after the official offer saying "I really hope you will accept this position." Responded and said "I would love to accept this position; however I have a question. I have an international trip booked in 3 months that I already paid for, can this be honored?" He immediately responded and said "of course, welcome aboard!"

Current job- received an offer over the phone, asked for the HR lady to send me the benefit information and an offer in writing. Responded to it to ask if the trip I had already booked for 3 weeks from the start date could be honored as well as one day when I already had MLB tickets (a day that's a holiday in MA that was observed by my last job but not my current job). She quickly responded to say "all of that can be worked out" and I accepted the position.

I would not mention it at the interview because you don't want them to give you a reason to not want to hire you. You don't say where you are located- 4 week long vacations are very rare in the US so a hiring manager might not like hearing this at the interview. My current medical director did ask me when I interviewed for my current position how I deal with working with such difficult cases though (I work with medically complex children in foster care) and I honestly answered that I take regular vacations. I just returned from a 10 day trip to South America, actually, and it's the 3rd vacation I've taken since I started this job 9 months ago.

In your case, since your trip is coming up in January and your interview isn't until December 10th/there are major holidays coming up in 2-3 weeks which can affect how fast HR moves, it may even be wise to simply ask to start once you return from your trip.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2018

Why did you start job hunting if you were planning on leaving town?

Toaster2k18 · Dec 9, 2018

I've negotiated new jobs honoring trips I've already booked/time off already planned the last 2 new jobs I've received. I would not mention it at the interview but ask about it before accepting an offer. Most likely if you start before the trip and negotiate with them, you will need to take the time off unpaid.
This is what I've done the last 2 times-
Last job- got offered a job I didn't even apply for on the spot after the company took me out to lunch to interview me. Received follow-up offer in writing from the office manager later that afternoon. Received an email from the manager after the official offer saying "I really hope you will accept this position." Responded and said "I would love to accept this position; however I have a question. I have an international trip booked in 3 months that I already paid for, can this be honored?" He immediately responded and said "of course, welcome aboard!"
Current job- received an offer over the phone, asked for the HR lady to send me the benefit information and an offer in writing. Responded to it to ask if the trip I had already booked for 3 weeks from the start date could be honored as well as one day when I already had MLB tickets (a day that's a holiday in MA that was observed by my last job but not my current job). She quickly responded to say "all of that can be worked out" and I accepted the position.
I would not mention it at the interview because you don't want them to give you a reason to not want to hire you. You don't say where you are located- 4 week long vacations are very rare in the US so a hiring manager might not like hearing this at the interview. My current medical director did ask me when I interviewed for my current position how I deal with working with such difficult cases though (I work with medically complex children in foster care) and I honestly answered that I take regular vacations. I just returned from a 10 day trip to South America, actually, and it's the 3rd vacation I've taken since I started this job 9 months ago.
In your case, since your trip is coming up in January and your interview isn't until December 10th/there are major holidays coming up in 2-3 weeks which can affect how fast HR moves, it may even be wise to simply ask to start once you return from your trip.

Thanks a lot. I guess i will only mention about the vacation if asked.

Toaster2k18 · Dec 9, 2018

Why did you start job hunting if you were planning on leaving town?

I applied months ago. I didn't even think i would get a call from interview lol