|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/2/2008
Posts: 7
Points: 21
Location: Denver
|
Hi,
I got called in for an interview at an academic library which will require me to be absent from my current academic job for 3 days. I am wondering if I should tell my present employer about the interview or just say I need the time off for a personal matter.
My current position is a temporary one, but they are trying to get more funding for it. I am a prudent person so I applied for positions because I don't have the means to end up jobless and this position I am interviewing for is my DREAM job so I am extremely happy to be one of the top candidates. I have not yet told my present employer I even applied for other jobs. If I don't get an offer, I'd want to stay in my current position if the funding comes through. I do have a good relationship with my co-workers and boss and I do like my job very much. On the one hand, I want to tell them about the interview just to give them a head's up that if I am offered the position, I will be leaving. On the other hand, if I don't get the job and more funding comes through for my current position, I feel like it may be awkward for them to know I was looking...but maybe not because my current job is a soft money position...
Any tips?
Thanks!
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Job Hunting Tips - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 61
Points: 183
Location: Cairo, Egypt
|
My advice: do NOT tell them. Ask for the time off for a personal matter and leave it at that. Come up with a decent fib if you need to, to address nosy co-workers, but in general, it's better to simply say it's personal and leave it at that.
You only need to give them 2-4 weeks notice (depending on what kind of job it is). Any other notice could hurt the possibility of you getting that full time funding (you never know, really).
I know a few folks who have made the mistake of giving too much notice, who found themselves stripped of responsibility in the intervening time.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
, Negotiation - Moderator
Joined: 1/31/2008
Posts: 41
Points: 126
Location: Oregon
|
I agree. Just take the time off, and wait to see what happens. I did the same recently, and it fortunately worked out with a new job, but had it not, I can imagine people would have been pretty upset to find out I was looking for another job. Of course mine was not a temporary position, and I can see how that might make you feel that your current co-workers might be more understanding about it, but it really is better just to wait and see, given the fact that it could turn into a regular position.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 194
Points: 591
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
You can take the personal time route. If you do have a strong relationship with your boss, it does not hurt to say something though. Some organizations rush through the calling of the references portion of the process. How would you want your boss to discover you are looking: by your mouth or the hiring organization? If there is a strong relationship, your boss may also be willing to provide advice for you. No one would be surprised or offended you are looking as you said you are in a temporary position.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Job Hunting Tips - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 61
Points: 183
Location: Cairo, Egypt
|
I hadn't thought about the references issue. I would presume in this case the candidate did NOT list his/her supervisor as a reference. You should never do that without asking someone.
I would suggesting including a trusted colleague (whom you've asked) for a reference at your current position (for folks in this situation in the future), and not your boss.
Brian, I think sometimes people have to be careful even with trusted bosses. A friend of mine got really burnt by a "trusted" supervisor.
|
|
Rank: Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/5/2008
Posts: 19
Points: 57
|
I have the same concern. I am working at a very small library and there are only two of us. Where I am going to relocate is so far away from my current location, so I have to at least take two days off for an onsite interview. I can't tell my boss right now although he's a great boss. Because if I couldn't get the new offer but I tell my boss already, it's very hard to stay there without feeling awkward.
|
|
Rank: Member
Groups: Member
, Tenure - Moderator
Joined: 11/19/2007
Posts: 18
Points: 54
Location: New York
|
I would recommend not telling your current supervisor, if at all possible (unless you are in a unique or temporary situation in which your supervisor knows or suspects you might be looking for work elsewhere).
The tricky issue, as others have mentioned, is listing your current supervisor as a reference which most people usually want to do.
One thing you can do is: during your interview, ask your interviewers to notify you when, or if, they will be checking your references and tell them that you want to include your supervisor as a reference, but you haven't asked him/her yet (and haven't included his/her name on your list of references) because that person does not know that you are interviewing -- a totally understandable request. I agree that you should never put someone down as a reference if a.) you have not asked that person to be a reference, and b.) that person does not even know you are interviewing.
I really think that interviewers need to be sensitive to this issue as well. I am against the practice of contacting references before the interview, or even contacting references without getting permission from the candidate -- mainly for the reasons stated above. Unfortunately, this does happen quite often.
good luck.
Susanne Markgren
Systems / Electronic Resources Librarian
Purchase College, SUNY
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/2/2008
Posts: 7
Points: 21
Location: Denver
|
Thanks for all your replies. I actually decided to tell my boss--there was a perfect opportunity to do so. I had asked him awhile ago to be a reference and I just stated it as "I'm updating my references, could I include you?"--there was no mention of applying for jobs. But now that I have the interview, I felt like I wanted him to hear about it from my mouth. If I don't get the job, I don't feel it will be awkward, it actually helped him with the donor funding my current position....the donor was stalling on the next check and after I told my boss, he told the donor, and a check arrived the next day to at least keep us another month. :)
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 194
Points: 591
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
susanne wrote:I really think that interviewers need to be sensitive to this issue as well. I am against the practice of contacting references before the interview, or even contacting references without getting permission from the candidate -- mainly for the reasons stated above. Unfortunately, this does happen quite often. I also agree their should be understanding and sensitivity. But, if you provided a list of references to an organization, you have already given permission for them to be contacted. I would take the first step and make sure you ask your reference up front to avoid any awkward situations. And you should be aware up front that sometimes if feels like everyone knows everyone in library profession. "Unofficial" conversations are quite common between director to director, or colleague to colleague. It is hard to keep secrets within your own profession.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
|
Guest |
