Interview etiquitte?

[Leros]

I'm applying to internships for the first time and I'm not sure what the etiquette is.

A company is flying me out for an on-site interview in three weeks. In the next couple of weeks, I am interviewing with a few other companies whom I prefer over this one. Is it ok to have this company prepare to fly me out knowing that I might not want to go out there if another company gives me an offer?

 

[slayer202]

of course. you don't expect to be guaranteed the job offer, they shouldn't expect it is guaranteed you would accept

 

[IEC]

It's fine, I'm doing the same thing right now.

 

[2Xtreme21]

The company is flying you out for an internship? Damn-- you must be hella qualified.

It seems to me this company is hell-bent on hiring you barring anything unforeseen. It might seem dickish to do, but I'd highly recommend taking any interview opportunity you can, regardless of the expense occurred on the company's behalf. You don't know if the other places you're interviewing will like you or if the position may close unexpectedly, or the many other things happening to MANY prospective employees at the moment.

Keep in mind though that it might take a company a while to extend an offer or rejection, and the company you're flying out to interview with may extend one on the spot (which you don't have to accept, but I wouldn't wait more than a week to do so). That might conflict with the other ones you're interviewing with, at which time you'll have to make a decision.

When in doubt though, always pick the sure thing... especially in this economy. Good luck!

 

[Goosemaster]

It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

 

[Patt]

I think it is fine too ... just remember, because they're flying you out, it doesn't mean you owe them anything, or should feel obligated to take thier offer over someone else's. If you've already accepted another offer though, go ahead and cancel to save them the effort.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

If you have no intention of working for them, decline the interview. If you're open to the idea if you like the job and the offer well enough, go interview and make up your mind later.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

Step 1) Get a job
Step 2) ???
Step 3) profit

Interview anywhere and everywhere until you get an offer. When you have multiple offers, then you can worry about being picky.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

Step 1) Get a job
Step 2) ???
Step 3) profit

Interview anywhere and everywhere until you get an offer. When you have multiple offers, then you can worry about being picky.

I'm saying if I were to get another offer and then cancel my on-site with this company, would I be damaging future possibilities?

I'd rather not work for this company now, but I will if I get no other offers. But I wouldn't mind working for them in a few years maybe.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

Step 1) Get a job
Step 2) ???
Step 3) profit

Interview anywhere and everywhere until you get an offer. When you have multiple offers, then you can worry about being picky.

I'm saying if I were to get another offer and then cancel my on-site with this company, would I be damaging future possibilities?

I'd rather not work for this company now, but I will if I get no other offers. But I wouldn't mind working for them in a few years maybe.

If you get an offer, decline it if you'd rather not work there.. but ONLY if you get another offer. Canceling an interview before you get one is stupid, in my opinion. Don't overestimate the chances of getting one at the places you interview locally as it does take companies time to make decisions.

I wouldn't say declining the on-site one would hurt you in the long run though. I doubt they'd remember you a few years down the line.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: Goosemaster
It is okay. At the very least look at it as interviewing practice and baby-step networking, and perhaps, with some zeal, see what else you can learn / take away from it.

Would I be ruining my relationship with this company if I were to cancel the on-site interview?

I wouldn't mind working for them in the future, I'd just rather stay local right now.

Step 1) Get a job
Step 2) ???
Step 3) profit

Interview anywhere and everywhere until you get an offer. When you have multiple offers, then you can worry about being picky.

I'm saying if I were to get another offer and then cancel my on-site with this company, would I be damaging future possibilities?

I'd rather not work for this company now, but I will if I get no other offers. But I wouldn't mind working for them in a few years maybe.

I think you are looking into it too much.

You were offered an opportunity to present yourself. Unless there are serious impediments, take the opportunity to review them [while they review you] so that your final decision will be that much more valid.

To reiterate what others have said, don't waste their time but also be watchful not to short change yourself as well.

 

[Leros]

Alright. Thanks guys.

It just felt a little weird knowing that they were buying a ticket and that I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go yet. I suppose its not a big deal though.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Leros
Alright. Thanks guys.

It just felt a little weird knowing that they were buying a ticket and that I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go yet. I suppose its not a big deal though.

They want to meet you. Some people merely give you their time by setting up a local appointment, some buy you lunch, others choose what you might see as more lavish approach. Be flattered by all means, but don't be intimidated.

 

[LS21]

we offer 50% to our fly-in 2nd-round interview. because 1st round is with corporate recruiter and 2nd is with actual work team. rarely do we need a 3rd. just use it as practice