Lying to your boss about interviewing at other companies

I recently started interviewing for new jobs and forgot how hard it is to lie about what you are doing when you're in 2 hour Zoom interviews twice a week or worse... in-person interviews.


I can only say I'm taking my dog to the vet so many times.


Sales Savages, what are the best/funniest excuses you've come up with when lying to your boss about where you are. Whether it was when you were interviewing or... whatever.

๐Ÿ˜‚ Sales Humor
๐Ÿค Interviewing/Offer
31
Rallier
Politicker
9
SDR Manager and Consultant
It's always a doctor appointment. And I don't really want to talk about it because it's personal
funcoupons
WR Officer
5
๐Ÿ‘‘
Medical appointment is the best because they can't ask what it's for and anyone with class would never think to ask it in the first place.ย 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
โ˜•๏ธ
"I am interviewing"--see what they do. I'm not kidding.
E_Money
Big Shot
4
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Eh, I feel like they will just let me go and I need that paycheck between now and when I land the new gig. Too much of a risk.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
โ˜•๏ธ
I feel that--but what if they gave you what you are looking for by finding a new job? Either way, best of luck!
CCP
Opinionated
3
VP, Business Development
Research counter offers, the stats are insane. Companies give employees what they want (especially if its financially motivated) then look for a replacement candidate to avoid a gap.ย 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
โ˜•๏ธ
I would never consider using an offer to gain a counter from any company that isn't brokerage-based. It's an annual occurrence at Insurance, Mortgage, and Investment firms to go out and get a big fat offer from someone else to get your own bump. Otherwise, you'll never move up once you're in senior positions.
InsuranceMan
Good Citizen
0
Head of Operations
What if what you are looking for is a new boss?

LordOfWar
Tycoon
4
Blow it up
"That's a bold move Cotton"
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
1
โ˜•๏ธ
Pepper needs new shorts!
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
I wouldn't do that in 99% of cases.
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
4
AM
I always title the invites something generic like "Lunch with Jim" and block off drive time as well to make sure I have enough time booked.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Nice, like the alternative to all the medical issues suggestions. Don't want them to think I'm interviewing, but also don't want them to think I am terminally ill lol
JuicyKlay
Celebrated Contributor
1
AM
And it's not a lie either. I use the person I'm interviewing with's real first name.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Damn. That is diabolicalย 
aiko
Politicker
0
Sr. Account Executive
I like this a lot as well. They know they have to respect your lunch hour and sometimes its at different hours of the day. I am doing this right now as I interview for other positions.ย 
CaneWolf
Politicker
2
Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract
Agree on the medical issues. It's not their business. Also, try to get the interviewers to be accommodating on timing. Sometimes they'll split it up into smaller chunks or have some be before or after morning hours.
KingofGIF
Politicker
2
AE
food poisoning covers 48 hours
E_Money
Big Shot
3
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Genius, someone should make an excel sheet of excuses to time covered. Doc appointment - 2 hours, Kid is sick - 1-2 days, etc.
eyesofthetiger
2
Sales Manager Mid Market
Add to my calendar "Focus time for XYZ project" that my manager/team know about and turn off Slack notificationย ย 
E_Money
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿ’ฐ
This is actually a really good one
BlueJays2591
Politicker
1
Federal Business Dev Director
always doctor appointment. leadership is always hesitant to dig into health issues.
DirtyRedFace
Good Citizen
1
Solution Architect
Ran into this earlier this year. I was honest and told them I am interviewing with a different company and they asked why but didn't change anything. A month later I put in my notice and they offered me a raise but it was too late.ย 
E_Money
Big Shot
5
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Yeah my rule has always been, if they didn't give you the raise you deserved or change what needed to be changed before you said you were leaving then nothing will change and that's not the place for you.

LordOfWar
Tycoon
3
Blow it up
Great advice.

I'd been promised "upsides" and "investment" (schooling) at my old place, but nothing ever came. When I told them I was leaving the CEO threw a fit and tried to claim I had been negotiating in bad faith. Leaving there was one of the best decisions I've made.
aiko
Politicker
1
Sr. Account Executive
On thing to be weary of if that they can walk you out the day you mention you are leaving. They don't want you to take leads to the other company.ย 
E_Money
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Exactly, I am very weary of telling them the truth.
salessystem
0
GM, Head of Sales
You should be. Nothing to be gained in being transparent until you have an offer in hand.
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
Are you remote on in the office? I work from home and no one notices or cares.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿ’ฐ
I'm remote so it SHOULD be easier, but they are real assholes about Slack statuses and keeping your calendar up to date. One of the reasons I am leaving..
braintank
Politicker
1
Enterprise Account Executive
You can keep your slack status on -- do they expect an instant reponse? Just tell them your meeting with someone (prospect, client, partner, etc.)
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Depend lol..I use my kid a lot as an excuse for EVERYTHING!!!
E_Money
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿ’ฐ
I've got to get one of those. How much are they going for these days?
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Lol it is a annual fee, basic necessities, and food, around 5,500/ per year to keep and maintain a healthy one! Great investment!ย 
LordOfWar
Tycoon
1
Blow it up
Maintenance is a bitch though, they are always getting dirty and are surprisingly easy to break.
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Very true! You have to clean them daily or else they can get nasty. Plus they turn your house into a hurricane daily so keeping everything clean is key!ย 
LordOfWar
Tycoon
1
Blow it up
Pro-tip, get a big dog to wrangle them and lick them clean, works pretty well here.
Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
Haha I tried that and my dog is just as bad lol. Prob makes more of mess lol
E_Money
Big Shot
1
๐Ÿ’ฐ
I will look into getting one, may have to finance it though. Thanks for all the advice on upkeep and keeping them clean!

Annonny
Big Shot
1
Account Executive
You're welcome! Best of luck on your journey!ย 
Chep
WR Officer
1
Bitcoin Adoption Specialist
"A personal matter has come up"ย 
Smithy
Politicker
1
Director of Sales
โ€œKid is sickโ€ is my go to now.ย 

just say Iโ€™ll be online sporadically and Iโ€™ll catch up with them tomorrow.ย 

of they can check my calendar then is doctors appย 
thegrinch
Politicker
1
SDR
I choose to be upfront and told my manager I was interviewing at other places. I partially did so because he kept dangling a carrot in front of me about promotion. He stopped dangling the carrot. But also I think its the right thing to do so he can back fill my spot. He appreciates the transparency.ย 

But if you're trying to be discrete. Dentist appointment, Doctors appointment, family birthday, food poisoning is a good one, migrainesย 
steakalldayerryday
Opinionated
1
AE
In the bathroom.
E_Money
Big Shot
2
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Lol...ย 

"Hey man sorry I didn't respond to your Slack 2 hours ago, I've been in the bathroom"
steakalldayerryday
Opinionated
1
AE
When you gotta go, you gotta go
overheard_sales
Politicker
1
CEO - Overheard_Sales
Explosive diarrhea. no one asks questions
GDO
Politicker
1
BDM
I just put in generic stuff. Havenโ€™t had any question about it.ย 
alecabral
Arsonist
1
Director - Digital Sales Transformation
I don't think I even try excusing myself anymore lol, I just block the calendar with a "private" event and should someone ask, "I had an emergency and didn't want to leave anyone waiting on me". Sometimes I even put the OOO message!
LAsalesguy
Old School Bravo
1
Sales Director
Iโ€™d try to schedule on days where you know your manager is busy with recurring internal calls. Aside from the medical excuse, you can use jury duty, contesting a speeding ticket in court, or basically anything legal or financial related. Those have all worked for me when I was interviewing.ย 
Chickenwing3791
Opinionated
0
SDR Manager
I literally just block my calendar off with โ€œwork blockโ€ and itโ€™s worked so far
milestones
Fire Starter
0
Sr. Named Account Manager
If you have kids, you have a permanent excuseโ€ฆ for everything.ย 
E_Money
Big Shot
0
๐Ÿ’ฐ
But also permanent other stuff too, like kids
6

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