Interviewing on little sleep

Xaviar

Hey kids. I work a 12-hour, 3-on-3-off shift. From 7pm to 7am.

Unfortunately I also am the head of a few programs on the graveyard shift which require me to attend the occasional meeting during day shift. Around 1pm. Usually I can work things out around it, but sometimes it's a bit rough.

So here's the deal:
Random circumstance has caused several supervisors to move to other jobs around the same rough 3-month period. I did not previously think I'd be eligible for the spot, but was corrected, and encouraged by several of the remaining supervisors to apply. I fired off an email to the manager the other night, and promptly at 8:00am the next day received a call from the HR manager. She was very eager to get me in to an interview, but the only time that works is this friday after the quarterly update meeting, due to union negotiations currently going on, and upcoming downtime due to the holiday.

Here is my problem:
I work 7pm wednesday night to 7am thursday morning. I have a meeting 1pm-3pm thursday day. I work 7pm thursday night-7am friday morning. I have the quarterly update meeting 7am friday morning-8:30am. Then I have the interview at 8:30.

Anybody have any tips for keeping my wits about me? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

E.Coyote

Make sure you you keep yourself decently fed, if your blood sugar starts crashing out while you're fighting the urge to sleep it makes staying alert that much tougher.

Demerdar

Might want to see how well a five-hour energy will do ya. I've never tried one, but this seems like the perfect opportunity. I've heard good things and bad things though...

starmanbrand

Chances are a little coffee and some nerves will keep you awake.

Void Slayer

Can you book a hotel for Thursday-Friday that is right next to your work and just drop during the 6 and 4 hour off times you have on Thursday?

If you normally are unable to function after a 13.5 hour shift then you may need to ask yourself if giving a bad interview would be better compared to asking them to consider you for the next position that opens up.

Other then that, I would second a full and well rounded nutrition during these days. Short term sugar based energy foods would be a bad idea, though if they work for you you might want to take one right before the interview so you'll have energy right there.

Spoit

Is there any chance you could get someone to cover the night shift for you for just that one day?

emp123

If Im understanding correctly, youre interviewing for another position at the company you work for? If thats the case they are most likely aware of your work/meeting schedule and will probably (hopefully) take that into consideration during the interview.

That said, I find Monster energy drinks to be pretty helpful. Ive never tried a 3/4/5 Hour Energy, but Ive seen people drinking them around finals time so I assume they work, or at least do something.

Is getting someone to cover your Friday shift an option?

Bendery It Like Beckham

I used to just work close/Open shifts, so 4:00pm to 2/3 sometimes not getting home till 4am, back at the store at 8:00am to open till 5pm. I used to just slam monsters through out the day and play loud music. Dunno how well that will help, but good food will also help considerably.

StrifeRaZoR

I'll actually second the five hour energy. The only drawback to those is the lack of energy you feel after the 6-7 hour mark. It's not a crash, but it can be pretty hefty. A good way to drink it is to mix it in with some orange gatorade. That's usually what I did when I'd have to break my 2nd shift routine and go in for those 2 days out of the week at the ass crack of dawn lol. Take the 5 hour energy in stride. Don't pound it down early, because it'll come back to haunt you.

Also, chilling those things to near freezing has some weird science effect on my brain. I used to freeze them and drink half when I woke up and half in the evening on my days off. Kept me pretty wired and I could enjoy my time off instead of thinking about "catching up on sleep". Oh, and food. Can't stress the food part enough. Maybe some lean meat in the morning to get your motor running. Can't go wrong with some lean country ham and biscuits! (That's the southern boy in me talking )

Xaviar

I live in northern minnesota, but my roommate is from the south. So unfortunately I know what country ham is. I assure you I will never, ever eat it.

In other news, I've managed to convince HR to let me come in at 11pm instead of 7pm on thursday, so that should help quite a bit.

I'll take your guys' advice though and try to eat a bit more nutritiously than I normally do. Also I'll look into some sort of energy drink.