Interviewing for a new sales job you really want, but also have a killer vacation booked? It can be an awkward situation. How do you let a potential new employer know that you want the job, but also need time off for a vacation within the first few weeks or months of your employment?

While you may not give your vacation time much thought when applying for jobs, once you start the interview process and get closer to receiving an offer, you need to strategically mention you have upcoming vacation time without losing out on a new job opportunity.

When should you tell the prospective employer or sales recruiter? How do you tell them? Here we’ll provide you with some important tips to mention upcoming vacation time in a sales interview:

1. Don’t Wait Until You’ve Already Started the Job

Waiting until you’ve already started the job puts you and your new boss in a tricky position. You’ll have to awkwardly ask them for time off when you’ve just started a new job. Your boss will be in the difficult position of getting caught off guard by the request and having to make adjustments to your schedule. They will likely question why you didn’t mention the vacation time during earlier discussions.

2. Mention Upcoming Vacation Once an Offer Is Made

The best time to mention upcoming vacation time is once a company makes you a formal offer.  At the very earliest, mention it during a second interview. This should provide the company with more than enough advances notice. If your vacation time is really close to your anticipated start date, your new start date may be adjusted.

3. Bring It Up When Discussing Timelines and Dates

The best time to bring up the vacation time is when you start discussing timelines and dates. It provides you with a natural way to start the conversation.

4. Don’t Ask, Inform

It’s important for candidates to inform the hiring company or sales recruiter they have upcoming vacation. If you ask for permission, there is a chance they will say no. You don’t need to mention the reason why you need the time off, but many candidates choose to do so, especially if they are taking off more than the standard one week of vacation time.

More Sales Job Interview Tips From Sales Recruiters

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SalesForce Search is a sales recruiting company which specializes in the recruitment and placement of sales professionals. We recruit salespeople in every sector of the economy including, software, manufacturing, financial services and medical devices. Find the right salesperson for your organization, start your search here.