Going to interview without everyone noticing

[jmc]

Currently I work downtown in an open office environment. We have a casual dress code, so any co-worker in business attire will get suspicious look and questions.
Typically I only find out about my interviews the day before, so taking a day off can be difficult; as manager ask and wants more notice to approve the day off (and wants to ensure it will not affect delivery schedules).

Basically, I don't like to advertise that I am going to interviews...
Let me know if anyone has any ideas. Thank you.

[Skidro]

Wear a polo and some gucci sweats

[jdmXSI]

Bring a change of clothes and leave them in your car. If you dont normally park downtown, drive on the day of your interview and intentionally show up 10 minutes late to justify driving if anyone asks.

[kaput]

.

[revelations]

Originally posted by jmc
Currently I work downtown in an open office environment. We have a casual dress code, so any co-worker in business attire will get suspicious look and questions.

That just sounds wrong. I worked in the electronics R&D division of a geomatics company with an open office and cas dress code (some engineers wore flip flops).

I wore business clothes (no ties) all the time when I wasnt grinding metal or otherwise making a mess during the week. I was there for 4 years so I guess it meant I was looking for other work all the time

[yellowsnow]

well if you normally dress in casual clothes it will look weird if you dress up all of a sudden.

just bring an extra set of clothes, run into a washroom and get changed, and go to your interview

[dirtsniffer]

Call in sick?

[woodywoodford]

You can either just straight up disappear - if you live nearby run home change interview change run back, that can be done in an hourish, which depending on your position/office probably wouldn't even raise flags (if you commonly have meetings on other floors for example)

Otherwise call in sick, say you've got a dentists appointment, say you've gotta drive your brother to the airport, schedule the interview over lunch hour or right after work

Start wearing suits every day and people quickly stop noticing

[Type_S1]

Man, who cares? Your boss should know that people want to interview you so he understands your value! For my last interview, the job I recently took, I wore a suit to work on casual Friday and everyone knew what was happening. My boss offered me a raise the next week and that's when I broke the news to him that I had a sick opportunity and was planning on taking it.

He respected me for not trying to bs him and left the door open for me to come back anytime. What's the worst that can really happen? Your boss starts to not like you for taking interviews? The boss at a company you obviously want to leave?

[thrasher22]

I always just change in a fast food washroom/whatever on the way there, or wear something medium dressy to work, and toss on a blazer enroute.

[dandia89]

say you have a stupid event your wife is making you go to after work.

[dewytrain]

Why do you need to make up an excuse? You're trying to better your life, not the people around. If you show up to your current job and people ask, be honest and tell them.

If its the same type of work/field maybe your current employer will sit you down and ask why your leaving, maybe offer you something to stay.

I'm only assuming that the reason your leaving is better pay or a job that interests you more.

[Doozer]

For all the people thinking to tell the boss, you're missing the obvious - what if he doesn't get the job, but his boss decides he doesn't want to keep someone who's not committed? It doesn't sound like this is an internship or something, where people expect you to improve, and move on - the people I work with take weeks and months of training before they're billable and useful, and we sure wouldn't waste our time/money on someone who's leaving the first chance they get. I wouldn't tell them to stay at a job they don't like, but on the flip side, the company wouldn't waste it's time on someone looking for the next train out. We'd part ways and the company would invest in someone who's bringing them a return.

And if the interview doesn't work out? Then he's got nothing, and nobody wants a month/week/year? of unemployment if they don't have to.

There are a million reasons - maybe he doesn't like a new organizational decision that may affect his career development so he wants to see what other companies have, or maybe his favourite boss quit and he doesn't trust the new guys to keep him, but doesn't want to be unemployed while searching. There are tons of reasons you might want to be discreet about a job search.

You guys are all talking like the first interview is a job offer. There are a lot of steps in between where it pays to be a bit delicate.

[CanmoreOrLess]

Dressing for traffic court or tell them you are going to a funeral. No one wants to ask about funerals.

[ddduke]

Originally posted by dewytrain
Why do you need to make up an excuse? You're trying to better your life, not the people around. If you show up to your current job and people ask, be honest and tell them.

If its the same type of work/field maybe your current employer will sit you down and ask why your leaving, maybe offer you something to stay.

I'm only assuming that the reason your leaving is better pay or a job that interests you more.

This is the worst advice I have ever heard.

In the real world things don't work like this and if you're going to interviews on a regular basis then you're likely going to get canned because they are going to want someone more committed.

Change in your car on the way out.

[revelations]

Originally posted by ddduke


This is the worst advice I have ever heard.

In the real world things don't work like this and if you're going to interviews on a regular basis then you're likely going to get canned because they are going to want someone more committed.

Change in your car on the way out.

I disagree, in most places you cant get canned for this unless you're busted missing work hours without letting someone know first. Firing someone specifically for this would be without just cause. Thats not to say the employer cant find OTHER reasons to fire them however....

[ddduke]

Originally posted by revelations


I disagree, in most places you cant get canned for this unless you're busted missing work hours without letting someone know first. Firing someone specifically for this would be without just cause. Thats not to say the employer cant find OTHER reasons to fire them however....

That's what I'm saying, I know they won't fire you for going to an interview, but there's a good chance that they'll find other reasons to get rid of you or make your life hell.

Buddy's advice sounds like some rich dad poor dad type of shit.

[Type_S1]

Originally posted by ddduke


That's what I'm saying, I know they won't fire you for going to an interview, but there's a good chance that they'll find other reasons to get rid of you or make your life hell.

Buddy's advice sounds like some rich dad poor dad type of shit.

If you are a high performer and valuable to the company, they will want to keep you by an means. If you are average and replaceable, than yes, go hide in your car to changr and lie to your boss when he asks why you are wearing a suit.

You must know that you are easily replaceable at work? ; )

[ercchry]

i've always just took a sick day

why not? go play a round of golf, have your interview. just enjoy yourself for the day. clearly you arnt happy with your current job if you are searching for different employment so who cares?

[turbotrip]

Please don't take the people's advice in this thread who suggest putting it out there and letting everyone know you are going to an interview