Interview times and holidays?

[Lysistrata]

I need some advice on interview arrangements.

At the beginning of this week, I applied for three separate jobs. I'm fairly well-qualified for all of them, but think I'm likely to get called for interview for one in particular, simply because the qualifications and criteria are slightly unusual and I meet all of them.

However, I'm on holiday next week. If they call me in for interview and specify dates next week, I assume I'll just have to get back to London if I want the job. However, if they ask me when I'm available, is it possible/advisable to say I'm out of town and am available from Monday 22nd? Two of them were advertised through recruiters, so I assume there'll be some kind of screening by the recruiters; can this be done over the phone? So far I've only applied for jobs directly, so I'm not sure what the procedure is with recruiters.

I hope this makes sense. I'm still looking for my first job and so am not quite sure when it's reasonable to say you're not available or to suggest alternatives like phone interviews without jeopardising your chances, and when you have to just drop everything (which I'm willing to do if I really have to but would rather not have to).

[bushbaby_de]

It depends on how desperate they are to 1) fill the job quickly and 2) interview you specifically. If we have lots of similar appliants for a job we need filling, the interview is on the day we say it is and tough if you can't make it. If we have a bit more time or are particularly interested in them we will try to accomodate their availability. There are no hard and fast rules I'm afraid!