Stressed employee's job interviews collide with office hours — should he lie? Gets valuable advice

Job hunting is stressful enough. Doing it while still employed, worried about rent, bills, and keeping your current job intact, can feel overwhelming. That pressure came through clearly in a recent Reddit post that struck a nerve with thousands of workers navigating the same quiet struggle.

The post was shared by Reddit user ueggenthies in the r/jobsearchhacks community, under the title “Interviewing while employed and stressed about making excuses.” What followed was a candid look at the anxiety many employees face when job interviews clash with office hours, and a wave of practical, reassuring advice from fellow Redditors.


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The user explained they’ve been with their company for about three years without a raise, while living costs have steadily climbed. Living alone, with no financial safety net, the pressure has been mounting. That reality finally pushed them to start applying elsewhere.

Things moved quickly. Interviews were scheduled. And instead of excitement, panic set in.

The core dilemma was simple but stressful: how do you attend job interviews without tipping off your employer? Telling the boss outright wasn’t an option, but sneaking out of work felt wrong. The user openly wondered whether people usually stay vague, claim a personal appointment, or outright lie about medical visits.

“I could really use some advice right now,” they wrote, capturing a moment many workers recognize all too well.

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Reddit Steps In With Practical Advice

The comment section quickly filled with responses, and the overall tone was calm, supportive, and refreshingly realistic.

One of the most common pieces of advice was also the simplest: keep it vague.

Several users suggested marking calendars with something neutral like “appointment.” One commenter shared, “Yep. My calendar is literally marked Dr appointment on Wednesday.” Others echoed that sentiment, listing dentist visits, veterinary appointments, or helping an elderly relative as examples that don’t invite follow-up questions.

Dental appointments, in particular, came up repeatedly. As one user pointed out, dental work often requires multiple visits, making it a believable and low-risk explanation.

Another group of commenters urged the original poster not to overthink it at all. “Just take time off and don’t justify it,” one reply read. Others recommended half-day PTO, especially if the interviews were scheduled after lunch.

A recurring theme in the advice was don’t over-explain. One Redditor summed it up neatly: be vague, don’t lie unnecessarily, and don’t make up detailed stories that could raise questions later.

“Tell work you’ve got a personal appointment, leaving after lunch,” another suggested. “Be vague. Don’t try to lie and make up stuff that invites questions.”

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Why the Post Resonated

What made the post resonate wasn’t just the question, but the vulnerability behind it. The fear of losing stability while trying to improve your situation is something many workers silently carry. Redditors didn’t shame the user for considering small white lies, instead, they normalized the situation.

The consensus was clear: job interviews are personal, employees are entitled to privacy, and protecting your livelihood doesn’t make you dishonest or disloyal.

In the end, the advice wasn’t about deception. It was about boundaries.

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FAQs

Is it wrong to lie about appointments for job interviews?
Most Redditors agreed it’s better to stay vague rather than lie in detail. Saying “personal appointment” or using PTO is common and acceptable.

What’s the safest way to attend interviews while employed?
Taking a half-day off, using PTO, and keeping explanations minimal helps avoid suspicion without burning bridges.