interviews- mileage

I was brought in to interview for an out-of-town, entry level sports reporter opening. Although I was told I was the second place candidate (awesome...fuckers), I ultimately was not offered the job.

Should I have been compensated for mileage for driving out for the interview? It was something like 150 miles away.

I'm not really sure how this kind of thing works. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of situation?

 

Every paper has a different way of handling that. Sometimes they pay mileage as though you were on the payroll, sometimes they don't do anything. One place had me cover a game as a writing test, and I was paid as a freelancer (didn't get the job, but the $40 at least paid for the gas).

You're probably out of luck at this point if they haven't given you anything yet. Best to ask them at the interview.

 

If they haven't given you anything by now and already picked someone else, don't hold your breath waiting for a check.

In the future, my advice would be to ask about reimbursement ahead of time. While you may come off looking a little cheap, you can then make the decision about whether to drive down for the interview knowing the answer to this question.

 

However,
IF you itemize your taxes, you can deduct the job interview's mileage (at .44 per mile).

 

Always ask about mileage. I know you're trying to make a favorable impression, but that doesn't mean they can treat you like a chump. You deserve to be compensated for your time.

 

In 1983 I flew home on vacation and set up a few interviews, one at a major metro and two at mid-majors. None of them had an opening, nor did they expect to. They were doing me a favor by seeing me, basically.

The guy at the major metro winds up the interview, hands me a mileage form to fill out. He says, "Did you rent a car to drive here? We'll pay for that, too." I told him that really wasn't necessary, that I rented the car for vacation and also used it to interview at two other papers. He shrugged.

About a year later I had landed at a different major metro, my first. One of our writers took me out drinking with some out-of-town writer friends. One of them was from Mr. Generosity's paper. I ask, "So how's Mr. (Doe) doing?" The writer said, "Oh, he got fired months ago. He was way over budget."

 

Where's the debate? The paper should pay all interview expenses. Period.

 

Yeah, if they brought you in, they probably ought to pay for it. If you called them and asked to visit, it's on you. Either way, if you don't get paid, deduct it.

 

Should? Sure.

Should doesn't fill the gas tank, though.

 

48.5 cents this year!

 

Update....just got the reply. "I'm sorry but that is not something our company does."

 

Companies do vary wildly on this. Bigger newspapers routinely pay to fly in and put up candidates for jobs as reporters and such.

Lots of big, otherwise generous companies in other fields don't do that at all.