Disclosing Vacation Plan in a Job Interview Should You Do It

Disclosing Vacation Plan in a Job Interview Should You Do It Q: I have vacation plans in place for the summer and Im also actively interviewing for jobs. Do I need to tell potential employers upfront about my plans, and if so, at what point it is appropriate to ask for the time off? A: Unless youre planning to be out for 2 months, or pretty much for any period of time that exceeds the time off benefits youre likely to receive (2 weeks typically), you dont need to mention anything prior to the negotiation process. Why? Because you dont have the job yet, and its simply not relevant until that stage in the process. Im not saying its good practice to take your new employer by surprise on the first day of duty. But DO bring the vacation aspect into the conversation once you know the job offer is in the process so that youre both giving them a heads up, and putting yourself in the clear. This means after the interview, and a conversation has taken place letting you know that theyd like to move forward with hiring you. You can say something like this: Im really excited to come on board. I also wanted to let you know that I had planned some vacation/personal time at the end of August, and I wanted to ask if it would still be alright for me to take that week off. I understand it will count towards my 2 week allowance. Unless it directly affects your ability to jump into the new role or to hit an important deadline, chances are they will have some leniency. You will likely have to allocate that time off from your allowance and may end up using up your vacation time before youve even started. But thats your call. The one exception here is if you are being hired on a contract or freelance basis, particularly for a specific project, and the terms of your coming on board are based on a deadline. If thats the case, you do need to let them know upfront about your availability, so that they can make a decision accordingly, and ensure the work wont be affected. Never wait until youre already in the job, or try to pass it off as sick time. Transparency from the get-go will avoid any negative feelings from your new supervisor or teammates. Whats Next? A solid resume is the key to landing the job interview. Check out our suite of resume and branded content services. Do you need help crafting an impactful digital brand presence?  BRS offers  professional design services  to help you create fresh, creative, and professional websites, infographics, logos, and business cards to complement your resume and other job search marketing materials.