YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

I am so excited!!!! I have an interview for a position at a very well known handbag company next week, but I have a few questions.

(I was going to start job searching after the wedding but this kind of fell into my lap...)

1) Should I wear one of the handbags I own to the interview, or that too kiss-***??

2) I am very concerned about the fact that I'm getting married soon and that I literally have to take the month of May off for my wedding and honeymoon....I know I should wait until I actually get an offer from the company, but what are the chances that they will actually hire me when they find out I have to take so much time off right after I get hired??

Of course, this is all assuming they want to hire me :)

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

IMO I wouldnt wear a handbag that you already own- it does look kinda Kiss a**. ( sorry that sounded mean). As for the HM I would let them know up front- then YOU can get their comments- Maybe you wouldnt want to work for them if they give you a hard time about taking time off.

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

1) Should I wear one of the handbags I own to the interview, or that too kiss-***??

hmmm, I would say if the bag is one one those that is made up of the logo printed all over it, then that might be overkill. But if its indescrite, I might do it.

2) I am very concerned about the fact that I'm getting married soon and that I literally have to take the month of May off for my wedding and honeymoon....I know I should wait until I actually get an offer from the company, but what are the chances that they will actually hire me when they find out I have to take so much time off right after I get hired??

I would be upfront about the wedding.

ETA: good luck.

Message edited 2/2/2006 10:22:23 AM.

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

1) Should I wear one of the handbags I own to the interview, or that too kiss-***??
I say wear the bag. It won't look like you're butt kissing, it'll look like you love their products - and they love that!! I wore my jewelry when I was interviewing at my current company and everyone commented on it. It shows that you're their "customer" and they want that. Don't show up with a Louis...that's their #1 competitor (I'm assuming that you're going for the company who aspires to take over LV's handbag market).

2) I am very concerned about the fact that I'm getting married soon and that I literally have to take the month of May off for my wedding and honeymoon....I know I should wait until I actually get an offer from the company, but what are the chances that they will actually hire me when they find out I have to take so much time off right after I get hired??
Don't mention anything about needing time off...or planning a wedding...or getting married...until AFTER they make an offer. They'll be flexible. May is a slow month...but wait until after!

Good luck!

ETA: I can't this fact enough...the retail industry is shallow and they LOVE when you wear their product. It shows that they're doing their job and reaching their target. Plus, why get another bag if the one you would normally wear happens to be theirs? That's perfect! But yes, if you go another route - don't wear a competitor.

Message edited 2/2/2006 10:42:24 AM.

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

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Posted by SomethingBlu

1) Should I wear one of the handbags I own to the interview, or that too kiss-***??
I say wear the bag. It won't look like you're butt kissing, it'll look like you love their products - and they love that!! I wore my jewelry when I was interviewing at my current company and everyone commented on it. It shows that you're their "customer" and they want that. Don't show up with a Louis...that's their #1 competitor (I'm assuming that you're going for the company who aspires to take over LV's handbag market).

I agree. If you already own the bag, then use it. ANd if you don't feel comfy using it, just make sure you don't go their with a competitor's bag (I do work for one soft-drink company that doesn't allow products from their #1 competitor in the building - ie. no one can drink/eat any products from the competitor. They are hardcore!)

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

I think it can't hurt to wear the bag as long as it doesn't have a logo and it's a subtle bag (not huge, or really signature). Good luck on your interview!!

Can you hook us girls up with discounts?

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

found this from "Kim Squires, Human Resources Director at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, has been providing career advice to students and employees of the university for years."

Speaking from the perspective of a candidate I would not bring the issue up until you are at that stage in the selection process where you are seriously being considered as the preferred candidate. At that point the potential employer has made decisions around your skill, ability and fit for the job and with the organization. If the employer sees you as the best candidate in the selection pool then they will more than likely be open to accommodating a vacation that is already planned and booked.

My advice is to tell the potential employer once you are the serious candidate but before you actually accept a job offer. In others words do not wait for the employer to offer you the job, you accept the job then you say and by the way I will need a week off in July because I have already booked a vacation. Employers understand that plans get made in advance and will welcome you being up front with them. You can also offer to be accommodating by offering to make up the time, take it as unpaid leave etc. The key is to be open to working out a mutually acceptable solution for both yourself and the employer.

I recently hired a new employee who was in this very situation. After the second interview it was clear that we had a preferred candidate. In discussion with the candidate they indicated that they were definitely interested in the position but wanted me to know upfront that they had committed to participate in a particular event, including airfare and lodging for seven days and they would like to be able to honour the commitment. They saw it as an issue but offered solutions. They asked if I would consider it and clearly saw it as unpaid leave as opposed to advancing vacation time. They also offered to work additional hours to make up the time. They also indicated that they would be willing to forego the trip if it meant them not getting the job. In this particular case the pre planned trip was scheduled for two weeks after the employee started work. I hired the candidate and they went on their trip. If you are the best fit for the job you and the perspective employer will find a way to make it work.

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

career builder -



Q: I'm getting married at the end of this upcoming October, thus will be out of the country for about two and a half weeks. I have a job interview tomorrow morning and I'm curious as to whether I should mention this to them at the interview, or wait until after I [hopefully] get the job and have been working there a week or two?

A: You haven’t been hired yet, so during the interview you should focus on getting the job. Deliver solid, well-prepared answers that show your professionalism and sell your accomplishments.

Save talk of your honeymoon for after you receive the written job offer. At this point, you’ll know the hiring manager wants you for the job and is more likely to work with your needs. You may be able to negotiate a start date after your honeymoon, or if you accrue vacation days gradually, you may be able to get them up front.

Don’t wait until after your first week on the job to spring the news of your wedding on your employer. Your boss may be depending on you for a big project during that time, and surprising her with your absence could get you started on the wrong foot.

Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

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Posted by itslaurie.

found this from "Kim Squires, Human Resources Director at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, has been providing career advice to students and employees of the university for years."

Speaking from the perspective of a candidate I would not bring the issue up until you are at that stage in the selection process where you are seriously being considered as the preferred candidate. At that point the potential employer has made decisions around your skill, ability and fit for the job and with the organization. If the employer sees you as the best candidate in the selection pool then they will more than likely be open to accommodating a vacation that is already planned and booked.

My advice is to tell the potential employer once you are the serious candidate but before you actually accept a job offer. In others words do not wait for the employer to offer you the job, you accept the job then you say and by the way I will need a week off in July because I have already booked a vacation. Employers understand that plans get made in advance and will welcome you being up front with them. You can also offer to be accommodating by offering to make up the time, take it as unpaid leave etc. The key is to be open to working out a mutually acceptable solution for both yourself and the employer.

I recently hired a new employee who was in this very situation. After the second interview it was clear that we had a preferred candidate. In discussion with the candidate they indicated that they were definitely interested in the position but wanted me to know upfront that they had committed to participate in a particular event, including airfare and lodging for seven days and they would like to be able to honour the commitment. They saw it as an issue but offered solutions. They asked if I would consider it and clearly saw it as unpaid leave as opposed to advancing vacation time. They also offered to work additional hours to make up the time. They also indicated that they would be willing to forego the trip if it meant them not getting the job. In this particular case the pre planned trip was scheduled for two weeks after the employee started work. I hired the candidate and they went on their trip. If you are the best fit for the job you and the perspective employer will find a way to make it work.

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Re: YAY!!! I have an interview at a very well known handbag company next week.....questions...

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Posted by johnsae

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Posted by itslaurie.

found this from "Kim Squires, Human Resources Director at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, has been providing career advice to students and employees of the university for years."

Speaking from the perspective of a candidate I would not bring the issue up until you are at that stage in the selection process where you are seriously being considered as the preferred candidate. At that point the potential employer has made decisions around your skill, ability and fit for the job and with the organization. If the employer sees you as the best candidate in the selection pool then they will more than likely be open to accommodating a vacation that is already planned and booked.

My advice is to tell the potential employer once you are the serious candidate but before you actually accept a job offer. In others words do not wait for the employer to offer you the job, you accept the job then you say and by the way I will need a week off in July because I have already booked a vacation. Employers understand that plans get made in advance and will welcome you being up front with them. You can also offer to be accommodating by offering to make up the time, take it as unpaid leave etc. The key is to be open to working out a mutually acceptable solution for both yourself and the employer.

I recently hired a new employee who was in this very situation. After the second interview it was clear that we had a preferred candidate. In discussion with the candidate they indicated that they were definitely interested in the position but wanted me to know upfront that they had committed to participate in a particular event, including airfare and lodging for seven days and they would like to be able to honour the commitment. They saw it as an issue but offered solutions. They asked if I would consider it and clearly saw it as unpaid leave as opposed to advancing vacation time. They also offered to work additional hours to make up the time. They also indicated that they would be willing to forego the trip if it meant them not getting the job. In this particular case the pre planned trip was scheduled for two weeks after the employee started work. I hired the candidate and they went on their trip. If you are the best fit for the job you and the perspective employer will find a way to make it work.

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wow, great advice - thank you so much for posting this.

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