Job interview expenses

[Mark2010]

Got a call, pretty much out of the blue, from a guy I had talked to last summer about a non-newspaper media job. The guy liked my stuff then but they decided to hire a local fellow for their spot. Now the position is open again and he wanted to see if I was interested.

There is mutual interest for a number of reasons and I am planning to go visit him on site next week (waiting to hear back as to what day is best for him and his boss). The city is about 500 miles from where I live (used to live in that area), so it's a long day's drive each way. So I figure a good two days total, which is fine by my schedule.

When I calculated cost of travel plus an inexpensive motel, I am looking at between $200-250 to make the trip. Now, that's not a ton in the grand scheme of the universe, but money doesn't grow on trees in my corner of the world, either. While we both like each other and I may be a good match for the job, nothing is guaranteed. And I can ill afford to spend money chasing down stuff that doesn't pan out.

Would it be reasonable to ask the company to pick up part of the cost of the trip? Perhaps split it, with them paying for a hotel and I'll pay the travel. Or should I just suck it up, pay it and look at it as a possible investment.

Anyone got advice or experience in dealing with these sort of matters??

 

[mustangj17]

If the company is serious they should pay for it. If you ask to split it, they should definitely be okay with it.

 

[buckweaver]

Has the subject of the scheduling of the interview come up at all in your conversations with the guy? When it does, just tell the hiring employer what the logistics are for you and that you'll need a hotel and mileage to cover the costs of the interview. Then see what his response is.

If he's hesitant, see if they'll pay for the hotel, at least. They should at least be willing to do that. Gas prices have come down in most places, so that shouldn't be too expensive for you to eat the cost. If the job's worth your time and you think you can get it, that's a small price to pay.

If he's adamant that they won't cover a dime, not even as reimbursement, then it's probably not worth your time to go interview. They're just going to nickel-and-dime you forever.

Bottom line is, if it's important enough to the employer to bring you in for an interview, it should be important enough for them to pay for it. Otherwise, they're wasting their time and disrespecting yours, too. You're not doing them a favor by coming in -- it's an equal opportunity; they're looking to hire and you're looking to be hired. That's your leverage, so use it.

 

[Mark2010]

Thanks. I probably won't get a definitive interview date until Saturday, or maybe Monday, because he wants me to meet his boss, too. We talked for maybe an hour or so this afternoon via phone.

From what he said in the phone interview, the salary is a step above what most of the newspaper jobs I have applied for pay. I just don't want to come across as an ungrateful a-hole, because I AM truly interested in the job (based on what I know thus far).

 

[buckweaver]

Like I said, you're not doing them a favor by interviewing. You don't have to be "grateful" for nothin'. Got to fight for yourself, though, because nobody else will.

 

[pallister]

I've had papers offer to pay my mileage at least twice when I interviewed, but they never did.

 

[The Good Doctor]

I've had papers offer to pay my mileage at least twice when I interviewed, but they never did.

You shouldn't have told them you were a Sox fan.

 

[imjustagirl]

You should have worn sleeves to the interview.

 

[The Good Doctor]

I like your post better.

 

[pallister]

I'm good enough to get hired without sleeves.

 

[imjustagirl]

And too scary without sleeves to be fired. Good niche!

 

[lone star scribe]

Not knowing what kind of outfit you're interviewing with (big, small, state u., Fortune 500 company, etc), I would broach the subject of expenses to them. If they turn you down out of hand, maybe say it's not their policy, then I would weigh my interest in the position against the expense. If you truly think the job is better, I wouldn't rule out going on your own dime. They'll know your interest, and maybe it can be a negotiating tool later. It was for me when I faced that situation.

You say you used to live in that area. Maybe there's a friend or relative where you could crash. Then you can turn the trip into an opportunity to see an old friend.

The reality is, there are more applicants than jobs. Many places are feeling the squeeze to hold expenses down. Just saying.

 

[I Digress]

One long drive I did, in a day, the paper in question paid mileage. Another, overnight trip, no mileage, but they put me up in a nice hotel. So, I think it's totally reasonable to expect at least one of those things. Definitely broach it. If they're not amenable, what kind of company would they be to work for?

 

[awriter]

You really shouldn't have to pay a dime for the trip. If they're serious, they'll cover it. And if they won't, well, do you really want to work for that type of outfit? True, you need to impress them, but they have to make a good impression on you.

 

[RickStain]

I work for one of those papers people warn you about on here, for less than I made as a burger manager putting myself through college, and even this place paid my mileage, my hotel, and reimbursed for all meal expenses when I had to drive and stay overnight to get to an interview.

Any company that won't at least partially reimburse for the expense of getting to the interview is probably not worth working for.

 

[toolsofignorance]

Had a job interview about two months ago that seemed really promising. Only catch - I had to pay my way there. Luckily I have family around there that I could stay with, but I still had to pay for a plane ticket and such. The interview went great, until the end - when they told me they were impressed with me, but the only problem was that I didn't have any TV experience and they were looking for that for this particular position. And I thought...so I came up all this way for you to tell me that? You HAD my resume, you could SEE I had no TV experience, and yet you STILL called me and asked me to come up for an interview?

Lesson learned.

 

[buckweaver]

That sucks, tools. And your story is EXACTLY why people shouldn't get suckered into paying for more than incidental expenses when they interview for a job. There's simply no guarantee that the money will be worth it.

If you'll need a hotel room, a rental car and/or a plane ticket, you need to make sure they'll pay for it before you agree to the interview. No exceptions. Otherwise, use your judgment on what costs you're willing to eat.

 

[beanpole]

If they invite you in for an interview, they should pay your travel and hotel, at the very least reimburse you; just ask beforehand how they want to handle the expenses.

If you offer to come in for an interview, you should expect to pay your own way. And in my experience, that also means they're not serious about hiring you.

 

[Stitch]

Amazed on how many people would spend a lot of money to interview somewhere and then pay moving expenses on top of that.

Even if newspapers are broke, they are saving money by not having someone work in an unfilled position, so the fact that some don't pony up for interview and moving expenses is a joke.

 

[Mark2010]

Thanks to everyone for the input.

At least I feel it's not inappropriate to ask for something in the way of hotel, mileage, etc. The immediate supervisor seems really cool; have no idea what the higher ups are like. So, I'll ask and hope for the best.

Over the years, I've learned (out of necessity) how to travel inexpensively. But anything I don't have to shell out for is a big plus.