Clashing interviews

[freya.west]

Hey guys,

Was just wondering. Hypothetically, if I have an interview for a training contract which clashes with 1 day of a 2 week vac scheme which could potentially give me a TC depending on how well I perform, would it be unprofessional of me to miss a day of the second vac scheme to attend the first interview?

 

[Jessica Booker]

The ideal situation is to asking the interviewing firm for an alternative date.

You may not be able to take a day off from your vacation scheme - that is at the firm’s discretion.

Depending on what day it is within the scheme, it could be detrimental to take that day off.

Some people do take time off from vacation schemes for these reasons, but it’s not straight forward.

 

[freya.west]

The ideal situation is to asking the interviewing firm for an alternative date.

You may not be able to take a day off from your vacation scheme - that is at the firm’s discretion.

Depending on what day it is within the scheme, it could be detrimental to take that day off.

Some people do take time off from vacation schemes for these reasons, but it’s not straight forward.

Thank you for your reply Jessica. Unfortunately the firm that the interview is at is not budging on the date. Would it be unprofessional of me to say to the second firm that I need the day off for an interview? Would this be grounds for dropping me from the scheme?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for your reply Jessica. Unfortunately the firm that the interview is at is not budging on the date. Would it be unprofessional of me to say to the second firm that I need the day off for an interview? Would this be grounds for dropping me from the scheme?

They won’t drop you from the scheme - the worst they will say is no to the time off.

You could obviously compromise a conversion process for your vacation scheme too, where ultimately you are choosing the interviewing firm over the vacation scheme firm.

 

[laurabeaumont]

Just to add to this discussion

Thank you for your reply Jessica. Unfortunately the firm that the interview is at is not budging on the date. Would it be unprofessional of me to say to the second firm that I need the day off for an interview? Would this be grounds for dropping me from the scheme?

Hi @freya.west,

I am sure you have, but did you tell the interviewing firm that there is no flexibility in your vacation scheme (ie you cannot change the day and there are pre-scheduled work/events going on)? From previous experience, the interviewing firm would usually then be flexible in return.

Laura