Job Advice...how do I do this somewhat gracefully?

I started a new job recently. I like the people I am working with, I like what I'm doing (it's an area within my broad field that I am very interested in), etc. The only downside is how far away it is. It took me 2 hours to get home today in the snow. Without snow and with 'good' traffic, it's 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes ONE way. I accepted the job because of (a) basic survival (b) I have SIRIUS and can get books on CD from the library and (c) did I mention basic survival? I cannot afford to be picky, especially not in this job market. The pay is good and it has health benefits, but it's not *that* good for the field and especially not for the added gas money. I have not had any luck finding anything closer (we live in a small town and moving isn't an option until next August. Even when our lease is up, I don't really *want* to move and my SO really really doesn't want to move). I am grateful for this job, I really am. Driving home made me cry today though.

There is a local job (20 minutes away) that I am qualified for. Plus, a close-friend-of-a-close-friend is the head of the office. This head guy is calling our mutual person tomorrow to talk about possibly hiring me. I know they must have received hundreds of applicants. I just went through interviews at a similar job in a different city and was only one of a handful of people (out of about 100) who made it to a second interview. So in this situation, knowing the person in charge and having experience in the area makes this a very real job possibility. Not only is it much closer to where I currently live and want to stay, but it has a higher salary and better benefits.

I'm not at all opposed to leaving the current job for this one, if I get it. I know it's mean and completely burns that bridge, but I don't really need that bridge in the future. I would feel awful, especially because I know the same thing happened to the same company recently and for the same reasons. They honestly haven't invested that much into me.

If this job possibility doesn't work out, I am not going to keep looking for a different job. I'm not even looking now, this was something I applied to a while ago (but the deadline was very recent).

My Questions:
- How on earth do I manage to get away from the office for an interview?
- What's the best way to break the news, if I do go with the new job if it's offered to me?

I am so stressed out. Has anyone been in this situation?

Originally Posted by Sakura

My Questions:
- How on earth do I manage to get away from the office for an interview?
- What's the best way to break the news, if I do go with the new job if it's offered to me?

Click to expand...

If you are too new to the job to ask for paid time off, ask if you can take a few hours away for personal time. I'm very honest generally, but in this case, I would come up with some excuse (furnace went out, cat is sick, etc). It's just a job, and if you are that new to it, your time away probably isn't critical to them right now.

To break the news - ask for time with your supervisor/manager and just let them know exactly why you are leaving. The excessive travel time is very understandable. Ask how much advanced notice that you are required to give (most companies want 2 weeks notice), and ask what paperwork you have to fill out. You won't be burning any bridges.

I hope you get the job. I had long commutes for many years and hated it. I'm finally down to a 30 minute commute and wondered why I didn't do this years ago.

90 minutes to 2 hours one way is insane driving time!

My advice would be:

1. Move closer to the present job so you don't have to commute so far;

2. Quit the job and find something closer to where you live.

I tend to move closer to where I work, providing it's a job that I like and plan on staying at.

When I returned to school, I moved within a block of the school I was attending. After I graduated I got a job across town, and moved closer within a few months. In the summer it's about a 15 minute walk. In the winter a cab costs about $6.00 one way.

1- Call in sick - It's flu season, after all.
2- Once you get the job, talk to your supervisor, and explain your reasons... You are not going to burn the bridge; they will understand you are only doing what is better for you... Anyone would understand that - it is your obligating to look for your best interest...

Good Luck!

1. I would call in sick, say the cat is sick, you're waiting for a repairman for something, etc. When I had a job interview for the company I'm currently with, I told the last company I had to go to my student orientation at the college that day to work out my residency issues. I hadn't been with them 6 months yet, so I couldn't get any paid time off yet.

2. Once you get the new job ( that you will!), just tell your current employer that the commute is killer. I could not imagine driving 2 hours to get home from work. It has taken me 1.5 hours to get to work in traffic before, but it's only 25 miles from my house (so it could also take me ~35 minutes to get to work without traffic, depends on the day). You can also say it has just turned out to be a good opportunity that you cannot pass up on. If you don't want to "burn bridges", find out what type of time-frame they have as notice (since most like to have 2 weeks).

I highly recommend that never, under any circumstances tell your current employer that you're looking UNTIL you have secured the job.

You can always tell the new job you need to give 2 week notice. if they don't respect that there is something wrong with them. They'll be OK.

once you get the job, THEN tell your boss. If you do so before hand you'll regret it, believe me.

Also, I understand the driving, big time. When I first moved to Phoenix working for intel i lived 40 miles from work. Doesn't sound that bad right? if i left anytime after 5 am it took 2 hours to get there, and the same coming back if i left anytime after 3.

I ended up going to work at 4am and coming home at 1:00 to avoid traffic. but i was fortunate to be working at a place I could do that. I just had to make phone conference calls at strange hours.