Job Interview....?

Question

I will be looking for work within a few months and I have season tickets for 2 events every year...these tickets are always paid for a year in advance.... I worked for last 5yrs at the same place and always worked my vacations around these events..... my question to anyone with good advice is :

I need to make sure when I am hired for a new job that I can have these certain 3 days in July and the 3 days in September off....
but when is the right time to let them know about this.... when is it appropriate to request this or at least inform them of the season tickets? At the end of the interview? If called with a job offer let them know during the call?

thankx for answering....
but does anyone think it would be nice/respectful to be honest and straight forward and just let them know that if I was offered a job that there are 3 days in July and another 3 days in September that I will not be available to work.... and make sure they know that these are the only days I will be needing off.... until the following year.

Answer 1

I'm a career advisor and by no means should you first wait to be hired and then ask for specific requirements. This is done DURING JOB OFFER NEGOTIATION which also includes salary discuss and vacations.
Of course you should be honest and state you NEED those days to be open. Right from the beginning. The off days should be stated in your contract, as well as the salary and other compensations. After you have signed the contract, there's little you cn do about it because the employer can ask whatever he wants if you don't have something specified in there. Right?
Here's what you can ask during a job negotiation:

http://www.cvtips.com/job_negotiation.html

In your case, you will probably have from 20-25(30) off days in a year. You can negotiate to have 3 in July, 3 in September and have the rest of them whenever you want, but having in mind also the necessities of the company.
Good luck!

Answer 2

It's not appropriate to start asking for specific vacation days until after you're hired.

During the job offer, ask about flexibility of vacations in general, not about the specific ones you want.