Gap year job: how upfront should I be with employers

[nm825]

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I graduated last May, applying to schools in June, and I am still looking for a job.

I've recently applied to work as a Mohs technician helping doctors to treat skin cancer. If I were to get this job, I would go through an extensive 8-10 week training at company headquarters with lodging furnished by the company. If all goes as plan, I will be entering medical school in August 2015, so I'd be working for about 18 months.

Should I be upfront with these places about applying to medical school, if they do not specifically mention service term requirements? If asked about whether I'm applying to medical school, I'm obviously not going to lie, but if they don't ask, is it fair enough not to volunteer the information up?

 

[Mr Avante]

They don't need to know.

 

[BillrothI]

I graduated last May, applying to schools in June, and I am still looking for a job.

I've recently applied to work as a Mohs technician helping doctors to treat skin cancer. If I were to get this job, I would go through an extensive 8-10 week training at company headquarters with lodging furnished by the company. If all goes as plan, I will be entering medical school in August 2015, so I'd be working for about 18 months.

Should I be upfront with these places about applying to medical school, if they do not specifically mention service term requirements? If asked about whether I'm applying to medical school, I'm obviously not going to lie, but if they don't ask, is it fair enough not to volunteer the information up?

Under the circumstances, there is no reason to bring it up (IMHO). If you were applying this cycle, then it would be unfair to apply with the intention of staying on for less than a year. However, 18 months is a considerable amount of time for an entry level position. Should be fine.

Good luck!

-Bill

 

[otterxavier]

They definitely don't need to know, but do have a good response prepared in case they ask, "Where do you see yourself in x years?"

 

[13132]

They definitely don't need to know, but do have a good response prepared in case they ask, "Where do you see yourself in x years?"

This.

I was in the same situation and was asked "Where do you see yourself within X years within this company". Be prepared for these difficult questions.

 

[Escape_Goat]

I just got hired for an RnD job, and I absolutely did not mention that if be moving in 8-9 months for medical school. It was either that or have my family be homeless; it was an easy decision.

Applicants for jobs are a dime a dozen these days. Take the job, don't tell them your timeline, profit.

 

[BamaNicole]

I was actually very upfront and honest about applying to school this year. The job I ended up at is actually very accepting of it. I was assuming it would come up anyways if I had to take time off to interview so why not be honest.

 

[Etyan]

If all goes as plan, I will be entering medical school in August 2015

This is the key point. Planning on doing something, and actually achieving it, are two vastly different things.

Many new hires into large companies plan on advancing into higher roles, either within the company or outside of it, within 2 years. Do they all actually do it? Nope. But it's nice to have an idea of your possible career pathways, and if the question comes up, explain how you envision contributing to the company. Remember at this point it's all dreamy, aspiring hypotheticals anyway.

 

[acceptmeplease]

Staffing the company isn't your job unless you work in HR.

Your job is to be the "best" employee you can and to learn as much as you can while you are there.

This seems like a unique opportunity, so take it.

Whenever I'm asked about my future in a job interview, unless there is a contract with a specific time commitment, I answer with "I've generally held the philosophy that I should realistically devote one year at a time to a job. Frustrations come and go, but I feel like one year is enough time to become proficient in my duties, develop solid interpersonal relationships, and determine if I am a good fit."

I think even if you mention the possibility of this being a transitory job, as long as you come across sincere in your desire to become a focused employee who works hard, you should be okay.

 

[SpartanWolverine]

Unlike most other people on this thread, I think it's very important to be up front about it. I was, and my boss has been VERY helpful (giving me lots of time off to study, go to interviews, etc.). They have also helped push ahead timelines (e.g., pushing through a couple of publications) to make my application as strong as possible.

Of course, your position seems like something of a corporate job, so maybe it's a different environment than academia.