Not sure how you sneak out for job interviews without your boss finding out?
Most people who are working full-time in their 9-5 jobs may have thought of sneaking out for their job interview at some time in their life.
The reasons for getting job interviews are simple:
- Want to explore new exciting opportunities?
- You hate your current job and want to get a better one.
In both cases, you won’t want your boss or any colleagues to know.
But going for a job interview without your boss finding out is not always that easy. It feels like “Mission Impossible”.
Here is how you can complete your “Top Secret Mission” (Sneaking out for Job Interviews).
If you choose to “Accept”, Let the Mission Begins!
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How To Sneak Out For A Job Interview
1. Give the impression that you will be back soon
Remember that CSI movie that you watch last time? The officer is inspecting the scene of the crime and they found some half-eaten sandwiches (“Eeeew”) and a cup of unfinished coffee. What does this tell the officer?
Yes, you are right, it tells you that the person left and will be back soon.
Even when your boss or colleagues know that you might be out for a while for an “appointment”, you don’t want to let them feel that you will be out for long.
You want to convey a message that you will be right back.
And leaving obvious evidence such as this will do just that.
If you think a half-eaten sandwich sounds a bit disgusting, probably you can try just leaving a messy desk with some documents. This can do the trick as well, just make sure your desk doesn’t look too clean and neat.
Because…
You are sneaking away, it means that you have to look as if you are not away.
Lesson learned: Don’t leave like how you usually leave work
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2. Dress to impress, but only in the right place
Remember the story of superman, where he wears his underwear outside when he is on a mission to save the city? On normal days, he is the nerdy Clark Kent wearing a pair of glasses. No one has ever suspected that he is superman in disguise, or at least in the movies.
Rest assured that I am not asking you to wear your underwear outside from today onward, you will look pretty weird doing that.
What you should do instead, is “only wear what you should wear at the right time and place.”
Example of someone who dresses in the wrong place
John who is your colleague is a blue-collar worker who usually wears Polo Tee and Jeans to work. And one fine day, you saw him wearing an ironed suit with a white long sleeve button shirt with a fresh pair of black trousers.
Probably it won’t be hard to figure out that John is up to something.
He can be:
- A. Going to a wedding after work.
- B. He became rich overnight and had a 180-degree makeover on his outlook.
- C. He is going for an interview.
My guess is probably ‘C’. I think most people will guess ‘C’ as well, which is going for an interview.
What should you do to dress at the right place?
If you don’t usually wear too formally at your workplace, then don’t do it!
You can place all your nicely ironed clothes in your car and only change into them before you reach your location for an interview.
There are a lot of places that allow you to change into your interview clothes. You can get change in a bathroom, at the gym, or anywhere else.
Just don’t change it at your office.
Remember you are sneaking out for the interview, so make sure you don’t go telling everyone that you are going for an interview through your dress!
Lesson learned: Don’t wear out of character cloths
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3. Use a Good Excuse
You just have everything prepared, and it is time to start your secret mission. You got everything you needed and told your boss you will be out of the office for a moment.
And he asked the dreadful question…
“Why?”
Getting a good excuse to sneak out of work for an interview is always the hardest part of all. There can have so many things that could go wrong!
So… remember…
“Don’t make up stories that can cause your boss or colleague concern”.
Death of family members, sick grandparents, or children can lead to many follow-up questions later.
Your concerned colleague may want to pay respect to your relatives who have passed away or recommend doctors for your sick family members.
This will make you feel guilty for lying to them.
What excuses should you give?
Use an excuse that will not cause any concerns to your colleagues and boss.
Examples of good excuses are:
- Regular medical checkup
- Attending a medical appointment
Since everyone does have a regular medical checkup, this will cause minimal suspicion of your true motive.
What’s more, this excuse gives you an opportunity to say that you are having a follow-up appointment in the future (If you are going for your second round of interviews).
Other excuses that allow you to leave work early can be used as well.
Lesson Learned: Don’t leave evidence and get caught
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What Should You Know About Sneaking Out For a Job interview?
When sneaking out for an interview, be aware of these 3 key points:
- Dressing at the right time and place.
- Showing the intent of coming back to work.
- Good excuses that minimize questions by your boss or colleagues.
Regardless, sneaking out for an interview is not something we recommend.
Although many people do sneak out for an interview, it does not reflect well on you.
There are many other better ways to go out for an interview.
What Is The Best Way To Schedule Job Interviews When You’re Working Full-Time?
The best way to schedule a job interview if you are working full-time is to simply take annual leave or time off. Not only you will be more prepared for the interview, increasing your success rate, but you will also be less anxious about getting found out by your coworkers or boss.
Simply taking an official leave from work will let you less prone to leave evidence that you are going for an interview.
Furthermore, you will feel good and proud of yourself for not lying to your boss or colleagues.
Making you an upright and honest person who deserves to be respected by your coworkers and boss.
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