Salary tips : Vacation issue

I'm currently in the market for a new job. I've got some pretty good leads and have had some great interviews which lead me to think I'll probably land one of the jobs.

My issue is that I have planned to go on a mission trip to Ghana, West Africa in the last two weeks of June. My current job has already approved for me to go with two weeks back-to-back, which is usually never done.

If I do land one of the new jobs, how can I ask them for ability to still take the two weeks in June? This trip is really important to me and I don't want to have to forego it because of a new job. It looks as if I'll probably end up having to decline the jobs and stay with my current company.

I guess all I can do is ask.

Jay

Jay, this question comes up a lot, and for vacations not as leave-worthy as yours....

You should not mention this mission trip in an interview--wait until you are offered a job. If it is one you would like to accept, then is the time to say that you would love to accept their offer, are available on such-and-such a date, however you are scheduled to go on a 2-week mission trip to Ghana the last two weeks of June, that you will take the time off as unpaid leave, and is this a problem? I'm going to bet that if this offer is with a truly "good" company, it will not be a problem. However, if it is, then say, "I'm sorry, but this trip has been planned for a very long time, and it is very important to me as part of my commitment to helping others. I will, therefore, have to regretfully decline your offer."

If I had an applicant like you, I would gladly give you the two weeks off and be delighted I had hired someone who does good works, and who recognizes that work is not the only thing that life is for!

Best of luck to you!

All you need to do is once an offer is made, tell your prospective employer the truth. You have a previously planned trip on these dates (I'd mention the purpose since it's charitable) and you sincerely hope it won't inconvience them.

Most employers understand that people have lives, and vacations planned. It's usually not an issue. You could offer to take the time unplanned if they balk, but I doubt it will come to that.

Don't even bring it up until you get to the point where they make an offer.

Thank you both for your replies. I haven't mentioned the mission trip in any of the interviews I've been on. I've been waiting for an offer to be made first and I would tell them at that point. Hopefully, the company will understand and let me have the time off. As was mentioned, I may even ask to have the time unpaid if they have a problem paying me for the time off.

I agree with Anne. This is a little different but the outcome is the same: I just hired a woman that when I interviewed her I informed her of the hours the position worked (3:00 to 11:30), however, when I made her an offer she informed me conditions with her child care provider had changed since we had talked. She could not start until 3:30 and in this one particular slot I could not alter the start time of 3:00 for longer than 90 days. I did not want to loose this person, so I was able to find her a place at another property where I could alter the time 30 minutes. The point is if the company wants and likes what you'll bring to the table most of the time they'll work with you. I also agree offer to take it with out pay. Hopefully, the company will waive any restrictions and pay you. My organization allows employees to use their annual two weeks vacation after they have completed 90-days, but that too is negotiable. A Senior Manager once told me everything is negotiable. Good Luck and thank you for taking time to give back to mankind.

What I think you should do is wait until an offer is made and all the details are worked out and you've said how excited you are about the job and the contribution know you can make, and while you're in the process of accepting the offer say, as an aside, that you already have plans for the trip to West Africa in June, adding that, if necessary, you'd be willing to take the time as an unpaid leave of absence because you recognize that you won't have been on the job very long. Make sense?

Paul W. Barada

The Negotiation Expert

Yes, it makes sense. I'll wait to see if I'm going to get an offer first and then make my move from there.

Career Tips

Vacation issue