Where Does Your Boss Think You Are Right Now?
Where Does Your Boss Think You Are Right Now?
Here is an interesting question someone might ask during an interview. Honestly, in all my years in the marketplace, I have never been asked this question, but it doesn’t mean it won’t ever be asked.
Let me begin simply by saying, DON’T LIE! Let me repeat myself for the record, DON’T LIE! It is not necessary to be deceptive while you are interviewing for another position. Which is why I chose this question to share tonight. It really doesn’t matter what question you are being asked, DON’T LIE!
By no means am I implying that you should tell your current employer that you are looking for a new job.
What I am saying is that it important that you schedule interviews during your lunch break, before work, or after work. Take a personal day or a vacation day. These are legitimate ways to interview and maintain your integrity with both your current employer and your potential employer. This question should be an easy question in the interview.
Notice, I didn’t suggest a sick day. Taking a sick day when you are not sick and admitting that in the interview is equally damaging to you.
So, what could you say? Tell the truth! If you took the morning off by using a vacation day or a personal day. Then share that information. No hesitation, no discomfort. If you have an hour for lunch, make sure when you set up the interview, that you communicate that to the person setting up the interview. Employers, most of them, want to be and will be respectful of your current job.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: The Interview, Tough Questions
9 opinions for Where Does Your Boss Think You Are Right Now?
Jacob Share
Jun 19, 2007 at 3:54 am
If you don’t have the luxury of flex-time, I’d also recommend taking a day off but ask about doing so as much in advance as possible.
Also, if you like your company but are frustrated with your job, you may consider doing this. After your interview, ask to speak to your boss for a few minutes. Go out on a limb and tell your boss that you’re considering leaving. Explain why and say that you’d like to stay if certain changes took place. If he doesn’t believe you, you may want to go as far as telling him that you were at a job interview the day before.
The risk is that your job situation could turn sour quickly but it probably was anyway. On the other hand, it’s also a great way to avoid hearing ‘but we could have accommodated you’ after the fact. Sometimes people just need a wakeup call.
Darlene McDaniel
Jun 19, 2007 at 7:25 am
Hey Jacob, great comment. Thanks for adding the day off option. It certainly is an option. I find your recommendation to talk to your boss VERY interesting. We probably don’t do enough of that - putting our cards on the table and letting people know what’s not working for us. Making an effort to communicate needs so that things around us can change. It is sometimes easier to walk away and avoid conflict, rather than taking the risk and talking through the issues.
Lottia
Jun 25, 2007 at 7:58 am
It can be difficult to take off from work with a current employer to go after a perspective job. I have always found it easier to take a personal day or tell my current boss I have an appointment and will be in a little lat to work. I always make up the time because the last thing I want to do is become a time robber.
Darlene McDaniel
Jun 25, 2007 at 8:53 am
I absolutely agree. I do think it is much easier to take a personal day than to try to fit it into the work day and be back on time. Thanks for sharing and visiting!
mario-ksk
Jul 7, 2007 at 6:14 am
Deep info!
louise
Jul 10, 2007 at 5:58 am
Thnx for the nice site,
Interview Chatter Top 10
Sep 15, 2007 at 10:47 pm
[…] 10. Where Does Your Boss Think You Are? […]
MChittavajhula
Jun 6, 2008 at 8:46 am
Sometimes, if I have to take some personal hours off during the workday, what I do was give myself a cushion. time at interview + commute to there and back + 1/2 hour on both ends just in case. you know, in case there is a traffic jam, or for myself for an effective pep-talk before the actual thing or to just relax and let it all out. Keeps me in check so I don’t crack. I feel very comfortable with cushion time.
Darlene McDaniel
Jun 17, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I like what you shared regarding the cushion time you give yourself. My only question is do you tell your organization that you took the personal time for an interview? Not that I believe you should, but I am curious.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: