When job-hunting, when/how to ask for time off

[klone, MSN, RN]

Background:

I have a friend who is a nurse with a good job, but is wanting to see what else is out there. She put out a few feelers, and got a few call-backs for job interviews. She normally doesn't take time off and travel much, but by a fluke of scheduling she has three different things going on this summer: a 3-day professional conference in a different state one month, a 3-day vacation planned with her family the following month, and a 5-day required trip to graduate school for conferences and inservices the month after that (so we're talking about needing 2 days off in late June, 3 days off in late July, and 5 days off in late August). None of the dates for any of the events are flexible.

The positions she's interviewing for are administrative/managerial, not floor nurse. The jobs would require she be in the office M-F 8-5, so it's not like a floor nurse situation where she would work three 12s and the time off could be scheduled around.

With that background, what would be the best time to bring this up to the potential employers? During the interview? My gut says it should be brought up during the interview as kind of a "I know this is inconvenient and I don't normally require a lot of time off, but these things were already scheduled months ago and cannot be changed. If this is not something that you could work around or accommodate, I totally understand that you would need to go with a different candidate."

Thoughts?

[Freedom42]

She should bring it up after she's received an offer and accept the job contingent upon her scheduling needs being met.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Why isn't your friend asking the question?

[CaregiverGrace]

I'd ask her why she says that "none of the dates are flexible"? Unless she's wallowing in job offers, she certainly could change a 3-day family vacation, and the 3-day professional conference is probably not live or die either. Perhaps the 5-day grad school thing is inflexible.. and that she could get away with scheduling post-hire. But making all those time-off requests at once is not likely to get a great response, and really, unnecessary imo.

[DPSGraduateNurse]

Tell your friend do herself a favor, "don't ask!"

[klone, MSN, RN]

Why isn't your friend asking the question?

In what way is that relevant to the question? For argument's sake, let's say she doesn' have internet access at this moment.

[Jolie, BSN]

I interview and hire for our family business. Now, most of our candidates are not college educated professionals, but I believe the same principles apply, to a certain extent.

In this market, I would not overdo requests for time off with a new job. I can understand the grad school requirements, but would have to admit that I'd look unfavorably at 3 requests, no matter how valid they may seem to the candidate.

We anticipate a flood of applications for jobs over the summer. I've already decided that if a viable candidate requets time off for a special trip, I'll ask them to check back with me after their vacation. If we still have a vacancy, great. If not, then at least I haven't invested in their orientation just to send them off on vacation.

I think it's a harsh reality of our times.

[Chin up]

Once offered a position, I bring up important dates I may need off. They realize you may have prior commitments and it is better to let them know then, than once you begin working. They usually are happy to comply. Just make sure it is very important and then get it in writing. I would never just ask for a vacation unless, already paid for, my honeymoon, a death or jury duty. Those other dates, cancel and give your new employer a full year of all you got. This means making sacrifices that first year. For professional development, let them pay for it and bring it up after your 90 day period. Most jobs will happily give you the time, since it benefits them. They may or may not pay. In this economy, the less contingencies, the better. My last job, I cancelled everything and kept my mouth shut. I gave them a full year with no call outs, vacations, or tardies. This went over quite well, as I established a rep for dependability and now can request almost anything off. Funny thing though, with my perfect record, I don't want to ruin it. Sounds dumb, is dumb and hopefully after writing this, I will put in for two weeks. Peace!

[itsmejuli]

I just recently interviewed and got a new job. I specifically asked at that interview for a date off because I will be writing a licensing board exam on that day. That request was appropriate at the interview.

If she has a good job and has this time already scheduled with her employer then perhaps it would be best to wait to look for a job.

I wouldn't dream of asking for that much time off during summer vacation time from a new employer.

[gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN]

When I was hired for my job (last March), I told them straight out--> My daughter is getting married in Feb 2012 I will need a week for that and I have a 4 week vaca (one in a life time trip) to Australia immediately afterwards. They said no problems, and hired me anyways.

[Ayeloflo]

How about trading off those days in your schedule with another worker. We do that where I work. Both parties agreeing to the exchange just have sign a form that they agree to so. After that, supervisor also signs off on it. Both parties are then fully responsible for their new schedule.

Does your friend have sick time available? Because using sick time creatively, under these circumstances might be okay depending on the availability of staff to cover.

Also here is a very good example of why these things must be kept a secret :)

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

Ive had to tell future employers about time off I needed during the interview (although its never been three), maybe she could mention the closest one and the latter later? It never affected me getting a job when I say, well I have a wedding in May I already planned for....... This is a hard one. Hope it works out. GOOD LUCK!!!