I will need to fly out of town for a job interview in a few weeks. There was no mention of reimbursement of my travel costs to get there in the emails sent to me and the conversation had ended, so should I ask them about it by email now or is it certain they will not be paying the cost? I should have but forgot to mention this to them before I accepted the interview damn. if anyone has advice I would appreciate it thanks.

1/26/2012 11:18:27 PM

If they haven't already told you they are paying for the cost of travel (and your HR person hasn't lined you up with travel arrangements) it's pretty much 100% expectation that you are footing your own bill.

You should definitely ask, no harm in it, but I wouldn't expect much.

1/27/2012 5:22:12 AM

some companies will allow you to submit receipts after the fact. when you go for the interview, just ask the HR person casually if they reimburse any travel expenses, that leaves it broad enough for them to say something like "oh yeah, lunch & parking are on us!! here is the form" or for them to give you a form that will cover airfare, hotel, car etc.

my bf has been on out of town interviews that have gone both ways. some have booked all the travel for him & other have reimbursed him based on receipts he submitted. never hurts to ask.

1/27/2012 11:37:34 AM

Best believe they'd have mentioned a four figure reimbursement up front. Five years ago that was the norm, but times have changed. Plan on footing the bill unless you hear otherwise.

1/27/2012 11:39:44 AM

Quote :

"TAX DEDUCTABLE EXPENSE"

1/27/2012 12:10:45 PM

yeah alright thanks for the advice. I asked this question on a lot of the other boards basically the answer was the same here that times have changed and that if you hadn't heard from them regarding travel reimbursement likely they will not be paying for it but I also read that if they aren't willing to pay the expense maybe they don't consider you a strong enough candidate so I don't think its worth going. Only way I would consider going is if they tell me I am a leading candidate for the position so do you think I should ask them how strong a candidate they think I am first? by the way this is an entry position but I will get a pop test and the interview will take about 4 hours, I know there is no way I will be able to answer all questions and I don't feel like I can be adequately prepared in time. would it still be worth going to? help me decide please


[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 12:53 PM. Reason : ]

1/27/2012 12:50:51 PM

Quote :

"if they aren't willing to pay the expense maybe they don't consider you a strong enough candidate so I don't think its worth going. Only way I would consider going is if they tell me I am a leading candidate for the position so do you think I should ask them how strong a candidate they think I am first?"

No. Ask if they will reimburse you for your costs. If they don't, and you absolutely can not afford the trip on your own, ask if they would be willing to do the interview remotely (either by phone or skype). But if there is anyway you can make the trip, do it. And don't ask if you are a strong candidate. They are interviewing you, so you are a strong candidate.

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 12:58 PM. Reason : good luck]

1/27/2012 12:57:35 PM

Go and then "when you go for the interview, just ask the HR person casually if they reimburse any travel expenses"

Don't ask them beforehand if you're a leading candidate, assume you are since they are asking you to interview with them.

Also, start getting prepared now, when is this and what city? It sounds like you have enough time to get prepared, you've known about this for almost a day now.

1/27/2012 1:00:52 PM

its in about 2 weeks in washington , dc its entry level position in the social sciences, and thats what I'm afraid of, they probably have a bunch of people interviewing for the position and that's why probably they can't pay for the expense. I still don't think its enough time to prepare there are thousands of questions I can think of they would ask. I'm just debating whether its worth it but I have to know if I am a leading candidate.

1/27/2012 1:05:08 PM

If you can't afford to fly just take the Megabus up there or drive.

And they wouldn't waste their time interviewing candidates they're not interested in. If you have an interview, you can assume you're a strong candidate.

1/27/2012 1:39:33 PM

well i guess the question is whether they will tell me if I am their leading candidate or as evenly qualified as the others. I know i wont score high on the interview because i've never been comfortable answering questions about myself or being in the spotlight even though I have done a fair number of interviews before and had practice ones, so I'll automatically be disadvantaged and there would be no reason to waste time/money and go if I was evenly qualified as the others.

1/27/2012 1:55:38 PM

just in case someone else hasn't mentioned it, if they decide to interview you, you are already a good candidate.

1/27/2012 2:21:47 PM

Quote :

"well i guess the question is whether they will tell me if I am their leading candidate or as evenly qualified as the others."

Nope. They're not going to tip their hand like that, and asking it will make you look foolish. If it's a position that would be good for you, and that you're willing to move for, make the trip for the interview based on that.

And as for travel, take the train or drive yourself. Train is less expensive than a plane, and much nicer than a bus. You'd arrive into Union Station in DC which is within walking distance to a whole lot of things, or you can get on the Metro to go anywhere else. Or, if you have a car, drive. DC is only about 5 hours, not a bad drive at all unless you get stuck in traffic (absolutely do not plan to arrive/leave between 4 PM and 8 PM. You don't want to mess with rush hour in DC.)

1/27/2012 2:52:08 PM

I once made money by driving to a job interview in Maryland. I guess they thought since I was coming from NC, Id stay the night or something, so the travel reimbursement they sent me was a bit inflated.

But yeah, they didn't tell me I was going to even get a travel reimbursement until I was already there in the interview.This was a few years ago. I actually think it worked to my advantage to drive myself up there rather than do a phone interview, because it seemed to communicate that I was really serious about the position.

1/27/2012 2:59:36 PM

Quote :

"well i guess the question is whether they will tell me if I am their leading candidate or as evenly qualified as the others. I know i wont score high on the interview because i've never been comfortable answering questions about myself or being in the spotlight even though I have done a fair number of interviews before and had practice ones, so I'll automatically be disadvantaged and there would be no reason to waste time/money and go if I was evenly qualified as the others."

1/27/2012 3:14:59 PM

You need to change your attitude. If you think you're gonna have a terrible interview, you will. Confidence is King.

1/27/2012 3:21:33 PM

If you are hesitating to drive from NC to DC, that shows them you don't want the job. The way you are complaining I thought it was in socal.

1/27/2012 3:24:33 PM

The travel is an issue, but i don't want it to go to waste and make a fool of myself if I don't think I have a great chance. This is not a typical interview I've been to before I do not know how to prepare for it either, that's also a problem. I would be more confident if I had an indication I was the leading candidate. Thanks for the advice.

1/27/2012 3:46:32 PM

Could you have any less balls??

1/27/2012 3:51:32 PM

I called and talked to the hiring manager, and you're their leading candidate. Go to the interview.

1/27/2012 3:52:34 PM

Quote :

"The way you are complaining I thought it was in socal."

lol me too.

And dear God if you portray yourself in interviews the way you are here you'll never get a job.

1/27/2012 3:55:27 PM

Yeah I guess you all are right I do need to be more confident. I'll just go do it and see what happens. It won't be a big deal if I don't get it since now I know I can get interviews with my qualifications and I'll just be more prepared for the next time.

1/27/2012 3:58:42 PM

Start preparing now. Stop worrying about whether it's a waste of time or anything or about traveling. It just sounds like you're way too nervous.

From what you described, it sounds like a lot of interviews I've been too. A test of knowledge and 4 hrs interview can be typical nowadays. Usually it's with a panel and then they invite others to come in and meet and greet. Sometimes even second and third interviews might be planned. They say 4 hours so that your/their schedules are open for the time needed, it might end early, who knows.

I think you need to realize that it's not some joke and that it's serious. Unless you are already working your dream job, buck up and do your best. You only just graduated, the more interviews you go on the better you will be and doing this interview can't do anything but help you.

1/27/2012 4:00:12 PM

Yeah be grateful and excited you even have an interview in the first place. I have a friend that's going on almost a year now without securing a single interview. Job market is still tough out there.

1/27/2012 4:02:49 PM

Yeah It's interviewing with 10 people in a bunch of different sessions throughout the day with the boss of the company at the end. I would be very confident it was a normal interview but I've never done this before, it just feels really overwhelming now. I've already looked online for interview answers and what kinds of stuff to ask and started writing them down so that's a start. Yeah I need to change my attitude too and be more grateful and think about people who can't even get an interview. Ugh why am I so weak.

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 4:15 PM. Reason : ]

1/27/2012 4:15:00 PM

Looking up responses online is misguided. Just be yourself. If they don't like you, fuck 'em.

1/27/2012 4:20:00 PM

What kind of job is it, what are the responsibilities, what's your qualifications/degree/previous internships?

I bet we can find someone here who can help you, give you more pertinent interview tips for your specific career area.

1/27/2012 4:39:12 PM

Yeah I need to develop that attitude of not caring what others think, I am a little to thin skinned, I think that's part of whats holding me back from wanting to go there for the interview.

This is basically for entry level research/statistics in the social sciences. Bachelor's degree in political science, sociology, etc. required, prior experience or internship preferred which I do have. Using statistical software programs, conducting surveys. I did most of this stuff in my classes but it was years ago.

1/27/2012 4:53:42 PM

I think I prefer group interviews. You can play the interviewers off each other so they end up doing most of the talking and leave with a positive impression of you. This was especially true with my current job. Interview ended up being well over an hour and I think I maybe talked for twenty minutes of it lol.

1/27/2012 4:58:37 PM

^^My current job I went through almost 8 hours of interviews like what you're about to go through.

That's for a design position. Engineers go through 2-3 DAYS of those. Or more.

It's a lot different than a single long 1:1 interview, but honestly a lot more fun and interesting. Since you're only spending 45min-1hr with each interviewer, it's a bit like speed dating. And usually each interviewer will have a specific skill or area of expertise to rate you on, which will usually be made very clear by their questions and conversation.

1/27/2012 9:14:13 PM

Quit giving this guy advice, people.

He's been in Study Hall for several years, asking for recommendations about the easiest classes to take and then requesting help in those 200-level CHASS classes so he could beef up his GPA or some such nonsense...while bragging about how smart/easy it all is.

No offense to him or anything (and I mean that), but he shouldn't be encouraged to post anymore...he hasn't brought anything original or meaningful to this place. Also probably a troll:

Quote :

"gz390: diploma arrived today ! do I bring my diploma to job interviews?"

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 9:29 PM. Reason : http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=621059&page=1#15207820]

1/27/2012 9:27:15 PM

1/27/2012 9:42:13 PM

^^^ That's interesting, hadn't thought about it like that. I appreciate the advice. If I don't do well it'll be because it was my first time in this kind of interview and I'll see it as a practice opportunity.

^^ No offense taken, but it's CHASS, what do you expect, If I wanted something "hard" I would have chosen a hard science major, I see nothing wrong with asking for help in 200 level chass classes in study hall.

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 9:50 PM. Reason : ]

1/27/2012 9:48:27 PM

Her point is you made it look like your only goal was to coast through college rather than actually learn something useful.

1/27/2012 9:59:20 PM

Well I regret if that's what I made it look like but no point in arguing about that now. If people want to stop giving me advice that's fine and we can let this topic rest. Anyway I do appreciate all who posted in this thread with advice and no I wasn't trying to troll anyone here.

[Edited on January 27, 2012 at 10:24 PM. Reason : ]

1/27/2012 10:22:27 PM

That wasn't what you made it look like. That's what you were doing.

1/28/2012 3:54:37 AM

Absolute worst case scenario: you deduct about 800 miles on your 2012 taxes and some meals, while getting interview experience

It really couldn't get any worse than that, go to the fucking interview

1/28/2012 10:52:27 AM

I love reading this kid's posts. After all the nonsense he posted in Study Hall about how he was the shit and how people would definitely hire him after school because of his kickass GPA from all the "easy" classes, it's great watching karma come over and kick him in the balls. Anything he posts in the Lounge should be moved to Chit Chat.

1/29/2012 2:02:28 AM

Who reads Study Hall?

1/29/2012 10:44:01 PM

I don't think I've ever had a potential employer ask me about my GPA lol.

1/30/2012 10:55:44 AM

Side topic: Is placing your GPA on a resume for your first 1 or 2 jobs out of college normal? Did you do it?

1/30/2012 8:50:33 PM

I don't have my GPA on my resume, but I do have summa cum laude on there.

1/30/2012 9:05:51 PM

^^ Good Q, Ive heard a lot of different opinions so Im not sure theres a right answer. If its within 3 years, Id leave the most recent GPA (e.g. if you went to grad school, only your grad school GPA really needs to be on there). Past three years, with some job experience, Im not sure it makes a big difference but it doesnt hurt. Past 6-7 years, it would just look weird though.

1/30/2012 9:21:32 PM

^I disagree...I've always heard that unless you can put Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude on there, you shouldn't put anything at all

1/30/2012 9:36:54 PM

Mine's still on there after six years adjacent to Magna Cum Laude in the college section at the very bottom.

1/30/2012 10:37:21 PM

I just moved my education to the bottom about 5 months ago

1/30/2012 10:41:07 PM

This is the general consensus I have, is that you have it on their early, but not really much after the first 2-4 years. From that point on you let whatever work experience you have stand out. I could see leaving MCL/SCL/whatever on there next to your degree or something.

1/31/2012 4:44:04 PM

Quote :

"I disagree...I've always heard that unless you can put Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude on there, you shouldn't put anything at all"

This is what I've always heard as well. I had my GPA on there for my first job out of college because they specifically requested it but haven't put it on there since then.

2/1/2012 10:12:37 AM