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Anonymous
06/13/19 at 10:57PM UTC
in
Career

Job Hunting on the Sly

I'm looking for a new job and actively interviewing, but unfortunately, I work in an office where I am chained to my desk most of the day and when you leave outside of lunchtime, people gossip and ask questions. This morning my boss approached me and asked why I've had to be out of the office a few times this week. What do I say??????

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Melanie
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585
HR Leader giving my own two cents to help women.
06/21/19 at 4:07PM UTC
If you are leaving “outside of lunchtime” and not taking vacation/personal time, then your boss can ask about you time as you are interviewing during hours you are suppose to be working. Ask the interviewer to schedule you at “normal” lunchtime to be more discreet or first the morning or late in the day. However, if you are interviewing during your lunch and sometimes that may be outside of the normal lunchtime, I agree with other posts that it is none of their business. I would say I am enjoying the fresh air and nice weather. Keep a book or magazine handy and take it when you leave. Good luck!
Anonymous
06/21/19 at 2:50PM UTC
I am doing the same thing. I made an excuse that I have a doctor's appointment. Not sure what I will say if I get the job. But I guess to each his own. Right? You gotta do what you gotta do and what is right for you.
Carrie Topolski
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2.34k
Empowering women and beyond!
06/17/19 at 3:27PM UTC
If it's not during lunch time. Tell her it's personal and you rather not discuss the details of it.
Carrie Topolski
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2.34k
Empowering women and beyond!
06/17/19 at 3:26PM UTC
Just to be clear. She's asking why you've been out of the office during lunch time?
Amy Canavan, CLC
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37
Program Director/Community Outreach Coordinator
06/17/19 at 2:49PM UTC
If you are taking the time as vacation time, you are not required to answer how you spend your time. If you are taking time during your lunch break, be sure that you are not on company time (unpaid vs paid lunch) to attend to ANY personal business.
Ciara
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42
Experienced, yet flexible administrator
06/16/19 at 4:13PM UTC
I think that whatever you choose to do during your allotted time away from the office is a personal matter. Folks should not feel entitled to your whereabouts and you should not encourage them to behave that poorly. I’m sure that out of respect you aren’t asking them the Sam. It helps to take lunch daily so that if you need to run errands it’s not suddenly odd behavior. But if you change your routine that’s entirely up to you.
Cara Houser
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1.93k
Coaching + Digital Courses for High Impact Women
06/16/19 at 2:37PM UTC
I found it was oddly helpful for my former boss to think I was occasionally interviewing, though I never formally confirmed why I was dressed up a notch and gone for a slightly longer lunch. He occasionally interviewed candidates even though there were no current openings at the company. Nothing should be taken for granted and there's nothing wrong with exploring options on both sides from time to time.
Anonymous
06/15/19 at 4:28PM UTC
Most companies are sensitive to this, why can't they interview you before or after hours? If your boss asks, say you had a personal appointment. It has the added bonus of being true :-)
Flossy
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1.98k
Client Solutions Consultant
06/15/19 at 1:04PM UTC
I’m taking advantage of the nice weather and getting fresh air and Vit D. Studies show people are more productive when they get mental breaks from the office at lunch.
Annetta Moses
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1.31k
Consumer Insights and Strategy Leader
06/14/19 at 1:42AM UTC
Do what you can to schedule interviews on Mon morning and Fri afternoon. The next best time is the morning. Depending on the company that you are interviewing with they may schedule you for a 7:30a.m. time. If asked say you had a personal appointment. If someone ask if you are interviewing I suggest you avoid a direct response and say I am concentrating on doing a great job at this company. Good luck with your job search.

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