Travelling - not sure what to do.

[Vyse]

I have been at my current work place for about 6 years. Recently I've been looking at other jobs had a couple of interviews already. I really want to leave my current place for a number of reasons.

Thing is I am planning on doing a months traveling next spring. I suppose one good thing about my current job is that they have in the past allowed me to take all my holidays at once.

Am in a slightly strange situation were if by I do manage to secure another job in the next couple of months, then I would be asking my new employer about taking 4 weeks off. I really doubt they'd let me. Another option would be to (if I get a new job), take it then quit around spring time in 2019. This will probably look bad on my CV!

My last option would be to stick it out at my current place for another 1 year, which I really don't want to do.

Any advice? Oh, about the traveling. Its a dream I've had for a long time, looking to travel around asia for 1 month. I've decided its now time to fulfill it.

Cheers

[boxst]

The easiest would be to take another job, tell them eight weeks notice, give your existing company four and go travelling.

[silentbrown]

Book the holiday at your current job now (in case you don't move jobs)

Tell your prospective new employer when/if they offer you a job. "I'd like to accept but you should know I have these dates of holiday booked"

If they baulk at that you've probably dodged a bullet anyway. If they accept it that's a very good sign.

[Vyse]

Thanks for the replies. I've kind of set myself a window. If I cant secure a new job by say September am gonna stick it out at my current place.

I wonder how common it is for people to take all annual leave at once or ask for extended leave, anyone else done it before?

[Vyse]

I did think about this, but it would require the perfect timing. Difficult to pull off, I would need to have a job offer around March time.

boxst said:

The easiest would be to take another job, tell them eight weeks notice, give your existing company four and go travelling.

[crofty1984]

Well whatever happens, make sure you get that travelling done.

[Wobbegong]

Vyse said:

Thanks for the replies. I've kind of set myself a window. If I cant secure a new job by say September am gonna stick it out at my current place.

I wonder how common it is for people to take all annual leave at once or ask for extended leave, anyone else done it before?

Quite common. A place I worked at had a few Muslim chaps who would book their annual leave into a single block (pilgrimage to Mecca I think).

[oldbanger]

Many years ago I hired a guy who had a 6 week sabbatical to NZ already booked and wanted to delay his start date until afterwards. We waited for him. He now manages my old team.

[Vyse]

Feeling better about it now. Definitely be traveling next year, just wanting to limit the damage to my career if any.

[Mojooo]

i would just go to interviews and say you have something booked. i doubt its that unusual.

[Vyse]

Stupid question time: At what point should I mention my travel plans when going for new jobs?

[Lotus Notes]

Mention your travel plans later in the interview process, the opportunity will arise naturally and sell it as a positive, ie you communicate in advance things that have an impact on the role.

As you get more experience, your CV will not indicate the month you started or stopped a role, it will be in years only.

P.S. One month is not enough for travelling in Asia, consider a longer trip.

[alfaman]

Would suggest a few weeks separation between old and new job. Taking 4 weeks off after starting is quite a long spell.

I once told my old employer : “new employer wants me to start immediately”

... while telling new employer “old employer won’t release me until date X / project completed.

.. creating a 3+ week gap for some traveling.

[Vyse]

I've thought about it a bit more. Getting a job offer about 7 weeks before my trip would be fantastic but tough to pull off due to the timing.

I think am going to carry on applying for jobs and if I get to the negotiation stage then I will tell them of my plans. If they are OK for me to take the month off fine, if not I'll continue applying until a new employee is happy with my plans. My cut off job hunting will probably be around September as any later really wouldn't look good, lol.

[gazapc]

I would honestly not be worried, if they want you they will wait.

A colleague joined, worked a week and then went in a 2.5 week holiday to the US. No major issues.

If they have two identical candidates then it might swing it but a few weeks is nothing.