How do you respond when invited to interview? Promptly and professionally are two winning ideas, of course. How would you respond to this question?
“When are you available to come in for an interview?“
Be smart. Don’t say, “Any time!”
I recently had a conversation with a hiring manager. We discussed this response to the scheduling question, and the answer above created concern. Here’s why.
This person who is currently employed sent a clear message: I will call out from my current job to come meet with you. How else should the hiring manager take this?
There is a lesson here. Take a more professional approach. Be a bit less available, even if you are not working. Try the following approach instead.
“I don’t want to leave my current employer short-handed, so can we do something on Wednesday, my day off, or a late afternoon when I can get out early without causing problems?”
The point is simple. This is an early opportunity to show professionalism. Don’t mess it up by acting careless about your responsibilities.
What if you are not working and you have an open schedule? Consider how this will appear. Even in this situation, be less available. Try a variation of the following.
“I have a busy schedule as I am active in my search. I can meet Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon, or Friday morning. Are any of these times good?”
The point might seem minor, but it’s not. It was a true concern for this hiring manager, so avoid making the same mistake. Be professional in every interaction, both in what you say and do directly and what you might be allowing others to infer about your reliability and commitment.
Work: Getting It & Keeping It 