The Big Switch

There comes a time in every Working Girl's life when she decides it's time to move on to greener pastures. For some this is an easy decision to make when your benefits don't cover dental or your need for contact lenses (or Lasik eye surgery which I am so asking for as a gift for Christmas 2008) or when your boss uses you as a punching bag. Sometimes though, it's hard to decide to move on when you've become comfortable in your daily routinue or you can't imagine leaving behind these great new friends you've made in your co-workers.

However, no matter how easy or hard the choice is, at some point it has to be done. As a sidenote, after graduating from college and receiving my first job, a professor gave me the following advice. He told me that if I didn't like my new job within the first few days, I had two weeks to find a new job or I had to commit to my company for at least a year. This is a word of wisdom from someone who has been in the writing industry forever and has interviewed some of the world's great musicians. In other words, I look up to him and trust his advice. But I also understand the urgency in wanting to leave a company the day after you find out that your main duty as an employee will be getting your boss lunch everyday from that salad place two blocks over (signature salad, dressing on the side, whole wheat bread, butter on the side, two knives...I am such a great assistant). So we at Working Girl say, forget the rules and do what your heart tells you to.

All right, so you want to get out and you want to do it now. The first step is of course sending out all those resumes and cover letters (I'm drained thinking about it). And then come the interviews. This is the tricky part and something we had hoped to help you with today. Here are some ideas/options/tricky ways to get out of work to interview for those greener pastures.

Save up those vacay days.
Someone older and wiser once told me that hoarding your vacation days, sick days, and personal days will only help you in the long run, especially if you want to get out of a job quickly. Take a week off work for a "Vegas vacation" and then run around town trying to find a new job. Devoting all your time to interviews, resume revising and rewriting cover letters will only help you score a new career.

Tell those sweet little lies.
One of my best friends in college was one of the greatest liars I had ever met (and I say that with immense pride). She got out of final papers, took her exams late without penalty and skipped class like Ferris Bueller with excuses like, "I had a pregnancy scare over the weekend" and "One of my best friends was in a car accident and I was with her at the hospital." As long as you don't go overboard, lying can only help you in this particular situation. My favorites include "I have to wait for the repairman" and "I have a fever". Apartment problems and sicknesses are my go-to get-out-of-work cards.

Good morning sunshine.
If you cannot get out of work, ask your interviewee if they are willing to meet you before work. Sometimes the higher-ups are willing to come in early to meet candidates (and not just if they are desperate for a new worker bee either).

Let's do lunch.
If mornings don't work, try asking if they will see you during the lunch time rush. Or try to get an interview around 11:30 and talk all morning about how hungry you are and then dash out by saying you were ravenous and just could not wait to eat. Just make sure to ask how long your interview will be since it's hard to excuse a three-hour lunch break.

Now roll on out to greener pasutres.