How to Mention Your Preplanned Vacation During a New Job Interview

You’re in a job interview, getting more and more excited about a particular opportunity, and the employer’s really into you, too. But there’s a knot in your stomach. You booked a vacation, and its quickly approaching. How should you break the news? Is it wrong to bring up a preplanned vacation to a new job?

It might feel a bit awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Being upfront about a preplanned vacation is about picking the right moment, being honest, and considering your potential employer’s needs. This is a great chance to show off your communication skills and integrity, proving that you can easily manage tricky situations.

There are a few things to keep in mind, so you don’t get distracted by the PTO conversation. Lets dive into how to mention your preplanned vacation in a new job interview in a way that keeps everything smooth and sets you up for a start on the right foot.

Why You Should Mention Your Preplanned Vacation in a New Job Interview

Bringing up your vacation plans during the interview phase helps ensure logistical smoothness. It demonstrates your commitment to open communication, enhancing your candidacy in the eyes of potential employers. Here are some reasons why it's a smart move:

• Shows honesty from the start. Being open about your upcoming vacation sets a tone of transparency. Employers appreciate candidates who are upfront, as it reflects your integrity and reliability, even before you're part of the team.
• Helps with planning. By letting a potential employer know about your absence in advance, you demonstrate respect for their time and needs. This aids their planning process, ensuring they can consider your availability when scheduling projects and deadlines, which is crucial for team logistics.
• Shows professionalism. Discussing your vacation plans during the interview is a clear sign of your considerate nature and professionalism. This act is often seen as a sign of good character and can make a positive and lasting impression.
• Helps to avoid future conflicts. Being clear about when you're available helps prevent any misunderstandings about your start date and ensures that everyone's expectations are aligned from the outset.
• Builds trust. Open communication about personal commitments like vacations can encourage a culture of honesty and trust, starting with your first interactions with the employer.

How to Mention Upcoming Vacation Plans During a Job Interview

Telling a hiring manager about a preplanned vacation in a new job interview can be smoothly handled with the right approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to bring it up effectively:

1. Choose the Right Moment

Timing is crucial when it comes to discussing your vacation plans during the interview process. It's best to wait until the second interview round, when potential start dates may naturally come up in conversation, and the recruiter or hiring manager may inquire about your availability.

First, that's an excellent sign that they want to move forward! Second, that's a perfect window for you to tell them about your vacation plans.

Even if they don't initiate a discussion about start dates by the second round, it's still important to communicate your intentions. You're not seeking their approval—you're simply informing them as a professional courtesy.

2. Know What to Say

Here are two perfectly reasonable examples of how to tell the hiring manager that you’ve got vacation plans:

• ”While we’re talking about start dates, I just wanted you to know that I have a trip booked between August 1st and the 12th, and I will be back to work that Monday, August 14th.”
• "I want to be upfront about a preplanned vacation I have scheduled from June 24th to June 29th. I'm really excited about possibly joining your team and want to make sure we can plan around this if I'm selected for the position."

Empower yourself by preparing your thoughts in advance, keeping your statements concise to one or two sentences. This will give you a sense of control, especially if the conversation takes place over the phone.

Don’t put yourself in the awkward position of starting a new job and immediately telling your new boss your plans. They’ll wonder why you didn’t mention it earlier and whether you’re prone to keeping important information like this to yourself until the 11th hour.

3. Be Proactive and Show Confidence

Discussing vacation days early in the hiring process can be beneficial for both parties. In companies where vacation days are accrued over the year, it's a good idea to ask if borrowing from the future is an option. This shows your commitment to both your personal and professional responsibilities.

Alternatively, your hiring manager may suggest adjusting your start date to accommodate your planned time off, ensuring a seamless transition without any interruption in pay. Above all, don't feel awkward about having this conversation. This happens a lot, and you're entitled to a personal life. You'll achieve peace of mind by telling them your plans and knowing it's not a big deal that you'll be away so soon after starting.

4. Offer Flexibility

When discussing your preplanned vacation to a new job, it's crucial to emphasize your flexibility in accommodating the company's scheduling needs. For instance, you could say,

• "I understand that the timing of my vacation may not align perfectly with the company's needs. However, I'm extremely flexible with the dates and willing to adjust to work around the team's priorities."

You can also express your readiness to engage in any preparatory work required before you leave, indicating your proactive nature. For example, you could say,

• "I'm committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. I can ensure all my responsibilities are up-to-date and any ongoing projects are well-documented before my leave."

By offering these solutions, you communicate a responsible and team-oriented attitude. It shows that you value the company's smooth operation and are a reliable candidate who plans ahead and considers the bigger picture, even before you've officially joined the team.