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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: S0VERE1GN on July 09, 2014, 12:19:50 PM

Title: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: S0VERE1GN on July 09, 2014, 12:19:50 PM
Hey all,

Just like many of you here, I'm unhappy at my current job. As such, I've been interviewing elsewhere, and I've found a position that seems to fit both my lifestyle and budget requirements. As such, I've taken some days off to interview, and I'm down to just a single  vacation day left for the year. I'm awaiting the manager to contact me for my final interview, and I'm thinking I'm going to straight up tell my boss its for an interview as opposed to pussy footing around the matter.

Why haven't I already told him, you ask? well, the last person who did this was fired on the spot. I hate this job, and it keeps me away from my child too much, so If i get canned, I see it as a net win anyway.

Not sure if this should be posted in the "ask a mustachian" section, as I'm worried about the consequences or the "share your badassity" section.

but nonetheless, that's whats happening, and I wanted to share it.  think its a good idea all?
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: shotgunwilly on July 09, 2014, 12:22:35 PM
I don't care what anyone says about it being unethical or what not... I will never tell my boss that I am interviewing.  Until I have an offer letter in my hand, it is staying confidential.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: dodojojo on July 09, 2014, 12:24:27 PM
Tell him only after you have secured your new job.  I know you're desperate to tell him, but common sense should prevail.

The only reason you should tell him before your last interview is if you plan on quitting this job whether or not you have a new job.  Are you willing to do this?  If yes, then tell your manager all you want.  If no, then keep your powder dry.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Cassie on July 09, 2014, 12:26:47 PM
Bad idea!
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Exflyboy on July 09, 2014, 12:29:33 PM
Yup.. Don't do this.. If you don't get the job you'll be subject to suddenly getting no pay raises and being on the bottom of the pile.

This is your information.. not your boss's

Frank
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: S0VERE1GN on July 09, 2014, 12:33:45 PM
Tell him only after you have secured your new job.  I know you're desperate to tell him, but common sense should prevail.

The only reason you should tell him before your last interview is if you plan on quitting this job whether or not you have a new job.  Are you willing to do this?  If yes, then tell your manager all you want.  If no, then keep your powder dry.

I essentially plan on leaving this job whether or not I've secured a new one. In fact, I'm hoping they can me so I can spend a few weeks with my daughter between jobs. even if i DO lose my job to this, I'm not worried because we don't really NEED my income, If we aren't paying for daycare. so i either become a SAHD, get a new job, or get to speak my mind to my boss. all of which seem pretty gratifying....
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Paul der Krake on July 09, 2014, 12:38:52 PM
In related news, it's best never to tell what you plan to do on your days off. If you usually say "oh I have a wedding this Friday" or "my kid has a play at school" or whatever, people get suspicious when you don't share the reason for taking the day off.

OP, as tempting as this might be, keep your mouth shut.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: frugaliknowit on July 09, 2014, 01:14:25 PM
No, you should not do this.  In fact, if you truly want to get even, do not give them ANY FEEDBACK!  If you tell them the place and the pay sux, etc., guess what, you are doing them a favor.  When you've accepted the offer, just leave your notice and act like everything's been honkey doorie (in fact, start acting that way now...) if you really want to get even.  Then, your replacement will get pissed off and quit and they'll keep getting screwed with turnover costs...

Just for the sake of discussion:  How much severance would you get if fired?  Are you sure you would get it?
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Cheddar Stacker on July 09, 2014, 01:15:40 PM
WTF people? Is this forum still about optimism, optimization, early retirement, FU Money?  Need I remind you all of this thread:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/

I essentially plan on leaving this job whether or not I've secured a new one. In fact, I'm hoping they can me so I can spend a few weeks with my daughter between jobs. even if i DO lose my job to this, I'm not worried because we don't really NEED my income, If we aren't paying for daycare. so i either become a SAHD, get a new job, or get to speak my mind to my boss. all of which seem pretty gratifying....

S0VERE1GN, I don't know much at all about you, but if you have any reserves, a backup plan, another income to support your family (it sounds like you do) then go for it! Go against the grain!

To quote the great Chevy Chase: "This isn't Russia is it Danny?"

What's the worst that could happen? You get fired and collect a bit of unemployment, take a month off, and find a newer, hopefully better gig. Sounds good to me.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: S0VERE1GN on July 09, 2014, 01:21:05 PM
No, you should not do this.  In fact, if you truly want to get even, do not give them ANY FEEDBACK!  If you tell them the place and the pay sux, etc., guess what, you are doing them a favor.  When you've accepted the offer, just leave your notice and act like everything's been honkey doorie (in fact, start acting that way now...) if you really want to get even.  Then, your replacement will get pissed off and quit and they'll keep getting screwed with turnover costs...

Just for the sake of discussion:  How much severance would you get if fired?  Are you sure you would get it?

I doubt I would get severance. the company has been doing impressively bad all year, and they don't seem to be doing anything to fix it (long. long. long story)  The real final straw for me was then they screwed me out of 50% of my bonus for 6 moths of pay, didn't pay it back retroacivelty, and then took away 10% of my pay "because you're  atop salesman, I know you can make it back! go get em!"


I'm moving out of sales and into a customer service role (i pray) thanks to this position
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Chrissy on July 09, 2014, 01:34:11 PM
I'm with Lady Stashe and Cheddar Stacker.  QUIT.  Now.  Power up your glorious middle finger, then come back to tell your Epic FU Story.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: RyanAtTanagra on July 09, 2014, 01:35:21 PM
Generally a bad idea but I've told my bosses I was interviewing twice, and I'm glad I did both times, so there are exceptions.

1)  First time was like you, I knew I would get fired (without cause) or laid off, either of which I welcomed.  Hated that job for the last 4 of the 5 years I was there, horrible boss/company.  After I told them, I got laid off 'due to restructuring' which qualified me for unemployment and allowed me to take time on the job search.

2)  Best job I've ever had working for the best boss I've ever had, but unfortunately I had already been planning to move out of state before I started there.  The position itself was ok, not great but ok, but after 2 years I was poised to replace my boss when he retired (controller/CFO for the company, he was 68 at the time).  I would have changed my life plans of moving if he had been planning on retiring soon, due to it being such a good opportunity and I liked the company/people so much, but he loved his job and was very good at it, so was in no hurry to stop doing it.  He was also good friends with the owner so it was almost like playtime for them.  I talked to him about my plans of moving and asked him for his timeline and he said 2-4 years most likely.  4 years was too long for me to wait for something that, while likely, was not guaranteed.  Shortly after that a friend of mine in California dropped my name to his boss and I got a call.  When they asked me to fly out to do an interview, I was honest with my boss about why I needed the time off.  He 100% understood, was very appreciative of my honesty, and was excited for me for the opportunity.  I got the job and gave 3 weeks notice.  I couldn't have left with more goodwill and have an open invitation to come back should I move back to Ohio.

So general rule is stfu about it, but definitely exceptions.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: S0VERE1GN on July 09, 2014, 01:45:04 PM
My biggest worry is that I'll end up in job purgatory if I tell them I'm interviewing: neither canned gloriously while skipping out of the building, nor righteously swept away into my new position.....


We can EASILY afford life if we get an unemployment check from me. we'll need to do some finangling if i just straight up quit and have no income to speak of for a time so we don't have to touch savings.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Paul der Krake on July 09, 2014, 01:47:35 PM
WTF people? Is this forum still about optimism, optimization, early retirement, FU Money?  Need I remind you all of this thread:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/
I'm all for a good FU story, but there's no reason to put yourself in jeopardy especially if there's no provocation on the superior's part. What does telling your boss that you're going for what you think is your final interview achieve, aside from showing confidence?

I once had a company mess up and call my current place of employment thinking I had already resigned and while I did not get canned, it was awkward as ****.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Russ on July 09, 2014, 01:52:25 PM
WTF people? Is this forum still about optimism, optimization, early retirement, FU Money?  Need I remind you all of this thread:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/

I essentially plan on leaving this job whether or not I've secured a new one. In fact, I'm hoping they can me so I can spend a few weeks with my daughter between jobs. even if i DO lose my job to this, I'm not worried because we don't really NEED my income, If we aren't paying for daycare. so i either become a SAHD, get a new job, or get to speak my mind to my boss. all of which seem pretty gratifying....

S0VERE1GN, I don't know much at all about you, but if you have any reserves, a backup plan, another income to support your family (it sounds like you do) then go for it! Go against the grain!

To quote the great Chevy Chase: "This isn't Russia is it Danny?"

What's the worst that could happen? You get fired and collect a bit of unemployment, take a month off, and find a newer, hopefully better gig. Sounds good to me.

There's a difference between half-heartedly trying to get fired and quitting. If OP wants to quit, they should make up their damn mind and do it. Take control of your own life.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: randymarsh on July 09, 2014, 01:54:40 PM
I'm new to the whole professional work world, but what's the upside of telling your boss? Unless you want to get fired and collect unemployment for a bit?
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: labrat on July 09, 2014, 01:57:27 PM
I've learned (the hard way) to keep my mouth shut when it comes to things like this.  Don't overshare ANYTHING with your boss.  Show up, do your work, go home.  Rinse & repeat.  Anything beyond small talk can and will be used against you!  Also, in most positions I've held there is no severance when being fired.

IMHO it's always better to leave on your own terms.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Cheddar Stacker on July 09, 2014, 02:14:00 PM
WTF people? Is this forum still about optimism, optimization, early retirement, FU Money?  Need I remind you all of this thread:
http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/epic-fu-money-stories/
I'm all for a good FU story, but there's no reason to put yourself in jeopardy especially if there's no provocation on the superior's part. What does telling your boss that you're going for what you think is your final interview achieve, aside from showing confidence?

Emphasis mine, because I think that's the most important piece here. You are giving them notice that either a) you will be gone very soon (either by your doing or theirs) or b) they damn well better come up with a good counteroffer to keep you. If done properly I believe it can be a great play. I resigned from my current job 10 years ago, they did not accept my resignation, and in a year I will be running the place.

I once had a company mess up and call my current place of employment thinking I had already resigned and while I did not get canned, it was awkward as ****.

That sux. Hopefully the awkwardness has faded.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: zinnie on July 09, 2014, 02:17:50 PM
My biggest worry is that I'll end up in job purgatory if I tell them I'm interviewing: neither canned gloriously while skipping out of the building, nor righteously swept away into my new position.....


We can EASILY afford life if we get an unemployment check from me. we'll need to do some finangling if i just straight up quit and have no income to speak of for a time so we don't have to touch savings.

Especially based on this, I do not see what is in it for you to tell your boss you are interviewing. I am in the camp of "don't tell anyone at work, ever, until you have a new offer letter in hand." There is no guarantee telling them is going to get you severance or unemployment, and they can easily make your life miserable until you decide to quit yourself. Why not just keep the paycheck until you have another job? If you were at or close to FI it would be another story, but you said yourself that it would take "finagling" if you suddenly lost a paycheck...
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: socaso on July 09, 2014, 02:22:50 PM
I don't think it's unethical to withhold your job hunting from this employer. You saw what happened to a previous employee in the same situation so now you know the lay of the land. This employer has established how they want to be treated.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: lackofstache on July 09, 2014, 02:33:22 PM
I'm with Lady Stashe and Cheddar Stacker.  QUIT.  Now.  Power up your glorious middle finger, then come back to tell your Epic FU Story.


Add me to this list. If the SAHD thing is really a decent option if no job prevails, GO FOR IT.
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: MgoSam on July 09, 2014, 03:13:22 PM
This is just my opinion so please take it with a grain of salt as you are the person that knows the situation best, but I wouldn't advice to quit your job unless you have another position lined up, unless of course you have credentials that would allow you to be employed.

This is going off having several friends ask for money or looking for work because they left their previous jobs without having another position available.

I realize that working at a job you hate is terrible, but at the same time, so is not being able to pay rent.

Then again, I am an overly cautious person. We had a person 2 years ago that told us what to do when he walked out the door, and within a few months he was asking for his position back because he had been unable to find work (not because we did anything, but because he wasn't as 'in demand,' as he thought).
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: KBecks2 on July 09, 2014, 03:42:09 PM
a) Quit,

or

b)  Keep quiet until you are ready to quit.


You do not want to be in job purgatory. 
Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: S0VERE1GN on July 10, 2014, 09:43:00 AM
a) Quit,

or

b)  Keep quiet until you are ready to quit.


You do not want to be in job purgatory.

Yeah, this is what the wife and I decided.... Sadly I feel like I'm injob purgatory anyway, since I hate this job, they pay shit, and there are no benefits anymore (the company has been slowly eroding my pay and benefits)

Title: Re: Taking My Last Vacation day and telling my boss its for my final interview..
Post by: Middlesbrough on July 10, 2014, 12:59:48 PM
No, you should not do this.  In fact, if you truly want to get even, do not give them ANY FEEDBACK!  If you tell them the place and the pay sux, etc., guess what, you are doing them a favor.  When you've accepted the offer, just leave your notice and act like everything's been honkey doorie (in fact, start acting that way now...) if you really want to get even.  Then, your replacement will get pissed off and quit and they'll keep getting screwed with turnover costs...

Just for the sake of discussion:  How much severance would you get if fired?  Are you sure you would get it?

I doubt I would get severance. the company has been doing impressively bad all year, and they don't seem to be doing anything to fix it (long. long. long story)  The real final straw for me was then they screwed me out of 50% of my bonus for 6 moths of pay, didn't pay it back retroacivelty, and then took away 10% of my pay "because you're  atop salesman, I know you can make it back! go get em!"


I'm moving out of sales and into a customer service role (i pray) thanks to this position

If they took money from you, you hate your boss, and you have a backup plan your fine with, just read the FU money thread for ideas on how to tell them off or find your own way to do it. If you really don't ever want to come back and you know it, step up to the plate.