Me too, but I always made a habit of randomly but frequently dressing up for work. I’d either refuse to say why or claim I was going to the symphony or something.
At one job, I was running late and bumped into a coworker on the subway. She was wearing a suit, which was uncharacteristic and nervously told me she was on her way to meet her mom. I’m like “ok, whatever.” A few weeks later she left the company.
That’s the beauty of it.
My last job, I didn’t really need excuses. We were in and out of the office in suits all the time anyway and no one really kept tabs, so I just left and went on an interview whenever I felt like it.
I guess I should be glad that if I had a job interview, I’d be able tell my boss that I had a job interview… and that would be that. It would burn a vacation day, but no one here really cares if somebody has a job interview and even the bosses wish the interviewee good luck.
I have so many freaking doctor’s appointments that I have to say, no, it doesn’t automatically mean a job interview.
But of course, it can.
I prefer to take a half day or full day off for an interview so I claim that I need to take that time off to look after my daughter.
I just say I have a funeral to go to this morning or this afternoon. If they ask who, I just say a family friend. Why would it have to be a relative?
I think the point is that if you are actively searching for work and are fortunate enough to score a number of interviews, it can start to look like some dread plague is moving through your circle of family and friends.
Oh, yes, well in that case, I’d have to come up with a different excuse, or schedule interviews during time off.
Sillies. “Jury Duty” means “job interview”.
“Doctor’s Appointment” means “hungover”.
At my age, doctor’s appointment means doctor’s appointment. And I’ve had a lot of them lately. The receptionist at our very large medical center knows me by sight. That’s bad.
When I interviewed for my current job I took the afternoon off. Luckily, dress around Silicon Valley is not an issue - I’d never dress up for an interview any more.
When I say “doctor’s appointment”, that’s what I mean. Both me and my wife are facing a ton of medical issues at the moment, unfortunately. This month I expect I’ll be at the doctors six times.
Ed