planning a vacation while looking for a new job

geekette2010 · March 2011

I really want to go on a nice vacation this year. DH and I have never been on a vacation together - our honeymoon was 2 nights at a bed and breakfast before I had to go back to work. We'll both finally have the vacation days and the money for it this year.

I'm looking for a new job, but since I'm employed and my job situation is tolerable, I have the luxury of being picky. We're looking at cruises in August, but I'm worried about what'll happen if I have a new job by then. I have a lead on an opening that'll be posted in the next few months that the manager actually asked me to keep an eye out for and apply for. But on their website, they specifically say no taking vacation days in the first six months of employment.

Is taking time off unpaid something that I could negotiate if I were offered this (or any) job? Has anyone ever done this? Are most employers flexible with this?

blushingbride_08 · March 2011

I've heard people tell an employer they had a vacation already booked and asked to take unpaid time off. But I wouldn't say this until you start negotiating. Get insurance on your vacation. The worse the employer can say is no.

mairanellis · March 2011

My company hires people all the time who have pre-planned vacations. Some current employees give them a stink eye because they are the newbies, but if it was negotiated and the company agreed, there's nothing anyone can do.

I say go ahead and plan your vacation.

EastCoastBride · March 2011

Every company I've worked for - I've gone in w/ some kind of vacation already planned and have never had a problem, and I've seen others do this all the time.

Heck, DH switched jobs 6 months before our wedding and needed 2 weeks off for our honeymoon!

Our lives move forward even when we're job hunting! Most employers understand this and people having vacations already planned is pretty normal.

vanillacourage · March 2011

Book the cruise, it will likely not be a problem. Just in case it is though, get trip insurance (we always get it on our trips, our last $3.5k trip it was $99/person to cancel for any reason up to the morning of departure).

kbkenn · March 2011

I'd plan the trip. Once you get an offer and you're in the neogitation process, you can bring that up. They may just give it to you or they may make you take the time unpaid. I think most companies understand that people plan things in advance. For example, a woman is starting at DH's company Monday as his direct report. She is getting married and has her honeymoon 2 weeks after she starts. She is taking 2 or 3 weeks. She worked it out when she was negotiating. I believe she is taking the time unpaid.

LindsaymR · March 2011

I got hired at a job once and would only be able to work 1 week and then was going out of town for a week. After they offered me the job I told them and they actually had me still come in and train for that 1 week. It was a pt job so didn't have PTO time anyway but I would tell them you are more than happy to take it unpaid.

dancergirl21 · March 2011

I got hired at a new position and worked 3 days, then left for 10 days to go to Australia. They were totally cool about it and only asked that I bring back tons of pictures

planning a vacation while looking for a new job

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