How to interview while now required to work in the office every day?

Anonymous

June 20,2023 at 1:56AM UTC

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How to interview while now required to work in the office every day? We were told that we need to start working 5 days a week in person instead of hybrid and they aren't approving any personal or vacation days for the next few weeks as people were complaining about returning.

I started putting out feelers before this happened and secured a first round this week. It's a very casual office so it would look out of place to even wear a blazer. This is the first time I was told we couldn't take time off when I've looked for a position. I think the company is worried about people leaving due to its decree but creating this hostile situation is making people even more certain in their resolve.

Furthermore there isn't enough room for everyone to work in the office at the same time as they hired too many people during the pandemic so some of us have glorified closets that we're using for makeshift offices that are see through so not conducive for a Teams' meeting. Please help as I want to get out of there but not sure how to interview in this intense arrangement.

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Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 20,2023 at 2:44AM UTC
They're denying people doctor's appointments?
KatJune 20,2023 at 3:16AM UTC
They are going to deny any/all types of leave (sick, vacation, doctor appointments, etc.)? I don't see how that's going to make any employee want to stay any longer than they have to. Your company/management sounds like a bunch of selfish jerks. Can you call in sick or do it on your lunch break (or take your lunch later in the day)? If that's not possible, could you do it outside work hours (after 5, before 8, on a weekend)? Explain that your boss is being a jerk and it's hard to schedule during the typical work day. Good luck finding a way to get interview so you can leave that awful place as soon as you can.
AnonymousJune 20,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
As for the casual dress code, you could wear a pair of slacks or khakis and leave a blazer in your car. Would it be out of sorts to wear a casual dress to the office and dress it up with a jacket or scarf for the interview? There are several ways around this.
As for the time off, people have often been able to schedule interviews at the start or end of the day, allowing you to come in late/leave early.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 12:54PM UTC
Interview in your car! On or off video, it works. But do not use Bluetooth as anyone passing by or near your vehicle will be able to hear it.
Mary PoolJune 20,2023 at 2:24PM UTC
On the day of, tell them you have an appointment and will be leaving at this time and will be back around this time. State it like a fact, don't ask permission. If they ask why, you can make something up or say, "It's personal." If they still hit back, say, "It is too late to change the appointment." If you plan on taking the entire day, call in that morning and tell them you will not be in today (which might be the safer option).
AnonymousJune 20,2023 at 10:48PM UTC
Thank you all. They've taken this stance as people are quitting and it's now escalating. Personal time has to be scheduled three weeks in advance, no sick days and lunches are down to a half hour. No arriving late or leaving early. I've never worked in a place like this and due to my level, it's making it impossible to arrange interviews. They are making everyone returning to the office but without any desks or offices. I'm not sure why there are making this stance as it would be easier to have more people work from home rather than crowded in the office.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 21,2023 at 8:17AM UTC
Dang. They think this is a strategy to keep people?
Ask the recruiter if the call can be done before or after hours. I flex my time to accommodate candidates all the time. I've done calls on Saturday, Sunday and up til 10pm. I operate on the premise that they have a job they want to hold onto until I get them another.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 12:25PM UTC
I don't believe it is legal to deny a sick day, especially if you have accrued sick time. People have emergencies.
Kristin BurnsJune 21,2023 at 1:20PM UTC
This is NOT the way to keep valued employees. They are trying to make it hard for you to find something else, but meanwhile making it much more likely you'll want to leave.
Julie EJune 21,2023 at 5:27PM UTC
I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to deny sick time.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 12:22PM UTC
Definitely say it is a doctor appointment you cannot reschedule. Or call in sick with severe food poisoning *wink*
Joycelyn M. SiameJune 21,2023 at 12:28PM UTC
Do it on your lunch break. Or see if you can schedule it outside of work hours. Did you tell the company that you are interviewing with that you are currently employed? If so, and they like your resume, they will be willing to work with you, I'm assuming.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 12:29PM UTC
See if the company can provide a prior to work or after hour time for an interview. Don't lie, that lacks integrity.
BeaBoss988740June 21,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
Call in sick
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 12:54PM UTC
They can't stop you from taking sick time, especially if they aren't offering a remote work option for sick days. Or interview during lunch. I would also start dressing up on random days just so that it became my normal pattern.
RebeccaJune 21,2023 at 12:57PM UTC
This whole thing sounds quite illegal, and actually I think they want people to leave without looking like ‘the bad guys’ in doing layoffs/RIF. Anyway, put on your Open To Work signal on LinkedIn that only recruiters see, and when they message you, you can keep your request brief and professional - ‘Due to having to be in-office everyday and management restricting our time off and lunch breaks, I appreciate any flexibility in scheduling interviews outside of my normal work hours.’ Good luck and hope you get out SUPER fast!!
Oh, and…do schedule a week of vacation 3 weeks from now, and hopefully your pipeline of interviews will be able to culminate in all your in-person last rounds during that time!
Kristin BurnsJune 21,2023 at 1:19PM UTC
No personal leave or vacations over the summer? Fully 5 days back after hybrid? No room to work? Your company should expect that many people will be looking elsewhere. See if you can interview at a cafe nearby or otherwise on your lunch breaks (I'm assuming you still get those?) or before or after work. Recruiters are used to needing to fit in interviews around work hours and pre-pandemic would try to do at least the initial calls around your schedule. When you reach the point of landing an in-person interview, you have an appointment and must be out of the office for a couple of hours. Start dressing up more now, when you don't have an interview, so that day won't stand out.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 1:28PM UTC
Sick time can't be denied. Someone needs to call some authorities on them.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 1:43PM UTC
I agree with some of the others, be honest with the recruiter and let them know that your office won’t allow you any time to do interviews between certain hours and see if they would be willing to interview before or after your work. Having worked in HR and recruiting, I would expect most recruiters to be flexible and accommodate this. If you need to do the interview from your car, bring a blazer to put on over whatever you’re wearing. Even a blazer over a plain T-shirt looks better than nothing. And if you’re doing a virtual interview they can only see your upper half anyway. Good luck and I hope you get out of the place you’re in. It sounds awful!
Kim PfeifferJune 21,2023 at 3:56PM UTC
On your interview days if questioned about your apparel, say funeral or you have something after work or going to a wedding
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 4:02PM UTC
I used to dress up a day or two before or a day or two after and say "ran out of laundry" ?
Liz MilneJune 21,2023 at 3:57PM UTC
Call out sick?
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 4:11PM UTC
Lunches - be flexible with your lunch and "dr visits"
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 4:56PM UTC
Call in sick. That may seem simplistic but it is probably the only way to do this. If they fire you for taking a sick day you would have recourse. Be fully unplugged for the day. Migraine or something like that. Alternatively let the prospective new employer know there is an open office situation and that there is no private place for you to take their call on video. Take the call in the parking lot or over lunch if you can. You can also let them know that you work in a casual office and that you hope that non-blazer attire is okay for the interview if it's in person.
CosmosMomJune 21,2023 at 8:36PM UTC
I would have phone interviews in my car at lunch. Then when I needed an in person or on camera I asked if they were available after work hours or I would have a “doctors appointment “ and take a long lunch. Most places were very understanding and accommodating to me for interviews, as they understood my obligation to my current employer.
AnonymousJune 21,2023 at 10:29PM UTC
I'm sorry, but everyone back in 5 days a week and no personal or vacation? Wow. Are you all indentured servants? Please call in sick and nab that opportunity! Everyone there deserves better.
Katherine Metres Akbar, Interview Coach & Resume ExpertJune 22,2023 at 2:36PM UTC
Probably the most honest approach--and one that might actually draw you closer to the prospective employer--is to be up-front with the prospective employer that you have to interview from work (or your car while at work if you drive). If you'll be in the car, you can put on a suit jacket there. If you'll be in your work closet, just explain to the prospective employer that your office is odd-looking and you can't dress up or you'd give away your job search. I promise you they will understand. They will probably like you more from a feeling of sympathy.
Nicolette ThompsonJune 24,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
Call out sick
or explain that you must take the call from your vehicle, explaining the funky background.
No time off over summer is insane - I agree, they’re trying to cull the herd and it’s a poor strategy.
AnonymousJune 28,2023 at 9:08PM UTC
There's a concept where PTO means Prepare The Others. In other words, you are not asking permission, you are informing them that you will not be there. If they choose not to accept this and don't prepare accordingly, that is not on you. Now, that being said, it can depend a little bit on your personality and comfort level. And if you can pull this card may also depend on how often you expect you might interview and whether you'll need a full or partial day off.