Attending job interviews while you are employed

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Arrange an interview time first

Ask the recruiter for several options: before work, after work, at lunchtime or during agreed time off. Establish the length and format of every stage, especially an assessment day or technical exercise. Allow time for travel and a meeting that runs over.

The official interview tips ↗ recommend checking the details and compatibility with other commitments. Do not accept a slot that requires attending an interview and a work call simultaneously; neither conversation will go well.

Arrange the absence properly

Normally use approved annual leave, flexitime or another arrangement permitted by your contract. Check the request deadline and approval process. Half a day may cover one stage, but not a journey across the city. Do not report sickness solely to attend an interview.

Redundancy has a specific exception. Under GOV.UK's guidance ↗, someone with two years' continuous employment by the end of the notice period is entitled to reasonable time for job hunting or training. Required payment is capped at 40% of one week's pay. This does not extend to every ordinary job search.

Maintain professional confidentiality

Use personal email, equipment and a calendar. For video, find somewhere colleagues and customers cannot overhear, and check the connection and background. Do not use your current employer's confidential materials as interview work samples.

Ask the prospective employer not to contact your current employer without prior agreement. Clarify when references are checked: some companies accept them after a conditional offer, but their process varies. Identify other suitable referees if that option is acceptable. Discuss a concrete contact procedure rather than assuming absolute secrecy.

After a successful interview

Ask when a decision is expected and maintain your current responsibilities. Continue working normally while the move is being arranged. The job-offer rules ↗ explain that a conditional offer can fall through; GOV.UK advises waiting for an unconditional offer before resigning.

Check your notice period, start date and remaining holiday. Once the agreed offer is accepted, resign through the appropriate route and plan a handover. Do not promise the new employer a start date that conflicts with your existing contract on the assumption that early release is guaranteed.