Is a job interview worth $150+

[RaistlinZ]

Originally posted by: Farang
Thanks for the advice. It is just at the edge of where I would consider going to for an interview, so I applied. Plus it is a confidence booster to get a call back even if I don't go. I'm leaning towards going, I think I'm going to send out a flurry of resume to LA and anywhere that might be on a possible train trip back to see if maybe I can get lucky and get a 2-for-1 deal.

True. And my guess is that they'll probably ask you back for at least a 2nd interview, maybe a 3rd. What will you do then - come clean, or keep making trips back and forth to Santa Barbara on your own dime?

 

[brandonb]

I've applied at jobs out of State atleast 6 hours away twice.

The 1st company had a phone interview with me and on that interview they told me they'd fly me out for 2 weeks. I'd meet the staff, check the place out, get a feel for what they do, and then I'd go home and we'd think about if we wanted to continue (they liked me and I liked them.) If things worked out for both of us, hey'd hire me full time but for the time being it would be a 2 week temporary assignment. I told them I am willing to work out any potential downfalls of the job and "suck it up" and I'd just move out there if they were willing to do the same and they sent me an offer letter that evening for full time employment and they were willing to wait for a response until after the 2 week temporary period if I decided to go that route after all. Very willing to work with me and do what was necessary to make me happy.

The 2nd company said they'd pay for my gas and pay for a hotel if I wanted to stay overnight but I refused the job when I was at the interview (I didn't get a good feeling for the job when I was there, didn't mesh well with the people, and got a bad vibe) and told them I'd pay expenses since I turned them down.

Just my experiences. Chances are if you talk to them, they will be willing to work with you.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Babbles
If you value any serious career advice, do not listen to these naysayers.

Turning down a potential job offer for a company you are interested in all because you do not want to shell out gas and hotel money is absolutely ridiculous. That is especially true for this environment.

Now, that being said, intentionally misstating your address on your resume is pretty boneheaded and may come back to bite you in your ass.

Not exactly,
it's telling of what to expect from them comp-wise. I recently turned down an investment banking position due to comp after paying to transport to the interview.

Unless you were fairly certain on other job possibilities, I would think turning down an entry level job interview in investment banking (they are hiring!?) is not prudent.

Also, I think your assumption that it is a predictor of compensation is not correct. Perhaps there could have been some historical trend that you could have followed up until a year or so ago, but with so many companies reducing overhead expenses I think it is quite reasonable for companies not to shell out any money for new entry level college graduates. In fact I would go so far as to say it would be irresponsible for a company to spend money on entry level positions.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: brandonb
I've applied at jobs out of State atleast 6 hours away twice.

The 1st company had a phone interview with me and on that interview they told me they'd fly me out for 2 weeks. I'd meet the staff, check the place out, get a feel for what they do, and then I'd go home and we'd think about if we wanted to continue (they liked me and I liked them.) If things worked out for both of us, hey'd hire me full time but for the time being it would be a 2 week temporary assignment. I told them I am willing to work out any potential downfalls of the job and "suck it up" and I'd just move out there if they were willing to do the same and they sent me an offer letter that evening for full time employment and they were willing to wait for a response until after the 2 week temporary period if I decided to go that route after all. Very willing to work with me and do what was necessary to make me happy.

The 2nd company said they'd pay for my gas and pay for a hotel if I wanted to stay overnight but I refused the job when I was at the interview (I didn't get a good feeling for the job when I was there, didn't mesh well with the people, and got a bad vibe) and told them I'd pay expenses since I turned them down.

Just my experiences. Chances are if you talk to them, they will be willing to work with you.

Well I either dug myself a hole or got myself a callback by putting my address as in Santa Barbara, which I see as a harmless white lie. But getting them to work with me and explaining I am in Seattle would involve an elaborate web of lies which I don't feel prepared to weave.. but I like your thinking. Maybe there is a way I can do this with no more lying.

 

[Dear Summer]

you screwed yourself by saying you live in santa barbara

is the salary good enough to move and live there permanently?
I'm assuming this job is at UCSB?
I would travel down there on my own expense and try to get the job.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: Dear Summer
you screwed yourself by saying you live in santa barbara

is the salary good enough to move and live there permanently?
I'm assuming this job is at UCSB?
I would travel down there on my own expense and try to get the job.

from everything I hear from hiring managers it is just as much a possibility that I landed the interview by saying I lived in santa barbara.. so I'm not going to beat myself up over it

 

[duragezic]

I don't think it's uncommon to have them pay for your travel expenses to come interview. I interviewed onsite at three places, all of them out of state, and had the travel expenses paid. For things like miles to the airport, parking, food, etc, I could submit reimbursement forms (I only did this with one because it was a 3-4 day stay). This was for entry level/first job out of college.

The market is not good now but I'd expect if they have positions to fill, they are ready to pay to get candidates there if needed.

edit: Also, by saying you are local to the area, say you do get hired... I don't think you would get any relocation expenses then.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: brandonb
I've applied at jobs out of State atleast 6 hours away twice.

The 1st company had a phone interview with me and on that interview they told me they'd fly me out for 2 weeks. I'd meet the staff, check the place out, get a feel for what they do, and then I'd go home and we'd think about if we wanted to continue (they liked me and I liked them.) If things worked out for both of us, hey'd hire me full time but for the time being it would be a 2 week temporary assignment. I told them I am willing to work out any potential downfalls of the job and "suck it up" and I'd just move out there if they were willing to do the same and they sent me an offer letter that evening for full time employment and they were willing to wait for a response until after the 2 week temporary period if I decided to go that route after all. Very willing to work with me and do what was necessary to make me happy.

The 2nd company said they'd pay for my gas and pay for a hotel if I wanted to stay overnight but I refused the job when I was at the interview (I didn't get a good feeling for the job when I was there, didn't mesh well with the people, and got a bad vibe) and told them I'd pay expenses since I turned them down.

Just my experiences. Chances are if you talk to them, they will be willing to work with you.

Well I either dug myself a hole or got myself a callback by putting my address as in Santa Barbara, which I see as a harmless white lie. But getting them to work with me and explaining I am in Seattle would involve an elaborate web of lies which I don't feel prepared to weave.. but I like your thinking. Maybe there is a way I can do this with no more lying.

Did you put down Santa Barbara for any reason? Let me ask this another way; did you go to school there or do you have family there?

Not that I am advocating digging your hole any deeper, but you could be able to claim that you were staying with friends/family/school in Santa Barbara but you recently moved back up to Seattle so you are in a sort of gray area.

Now, if you did not have any sort of plausible reason to be in Santa Barbara then . . . well I dunno, but it may be best to come clean about your living location.

 

[Farang]

I see what you're saying Babbles but I don't see that as being the best course of action. If I came clean clean.. "I lied so you would grant me an interview and I could fly down there on my own dime without you knowing I was that desperate," my resume goes in the trash. If I came clean with another lie, then, whats the point.

I don't know anyone in Santa Barbara.

 

[spaceman]

if you get the job yes
if no, well then no.
this is only answerable after the fact.

 

[Denithor]

Most serious companies will pay for your expenses if you have to travel for an interview.

Of course, in your case you lied and told them you won't have any travel expenses, so I'd say you're SOL on getting reimbursed. Because as soon as they discover you're actually not from there, and said you are, your resume is going in the garbage.

 

[erub]

I paid $300 to go to my college's career fair when I was in grad school. Granted, it was also a trip to go see friends as well. I told myself it would be worth it if I got at least one followup interview, and indeed it led to me getting multiple interviews and a job offer. Gotta spend money to make money, ya know?

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: erub
I paid $300 to go to my college's career fair when I was in grad school. Granted, it was also a trip to go see friends as well. I told myself it would be worth it if I got at least one followup interview, and indeed it led to me getting multiple interviews and a job offer. Gotta spend money to make money, ya know?

yea I think it is a forgone conclusion that I have to go and it would be pretty boneheaded not to, considering this is a perfect entry into the career I want. I just really cannot afford to shell out the money right now, so this is sort of like betting it all on black.. come on wesley snipes, dear god I hope you are right

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Babbles
If you value any serious career advice, do not listen to these naysayers.

Turning down a potential job offer for a company you are interested in all because you do not want to shell out gas and hotel money is absolutely ridiculous. That is especially true for this environment.

Now, that being said, intentionally misstating your address on your resume is pretty boneheaded and may come back to bite you in your ass.

Not exactly,
it's telling of what to expect from them comp-wise. I recently turned down an investment banking position due to comp after paying to transport to the interview.

Unless you were fairly certain on other job possibilities, I would think turning down an entry level job interview in investment banking (they are hiring!?) is not prudent.

Also, I think your assumption that it is a predictor of compensation is not correct. Perhaps there could have been some historical trend that you could have followed up until a year or so ago, but with so many companies reducing overhead expenses I think it is quite reasonable for companies not to shell out any money for new entry level college graduates. In fact I would go so far as to say it would be irresponsible for a company to spend money on entry level positions.

It was an internship position and the compensation was absurd for NYC... i got the feeling they were fishing for desperate BBAs with no other options.

 

[alkemyst]

beware of scams. Two people have forwarded me 'job offers' they weren't sure about.

They come across like the 'recruiter' knows them, knows they have been out of work or will soon be laid off, and got their info from a mutual friend.

They go on to say they know they are probably paid better, but in this market they can only offer $x dollars (and much more than they are currently making not less).

It goes on to describe they can't afford to spend the $100-200 on people that end up never showing up for their interviews and would like a western union moneygram sent to secure the position.

It assures them that as long as the background check comes back fine they should be able to start as early as next week.

 

[Farang]

haha no that is not the case here but thanks for the warning. I am currently stringing one of those people along through e-mail, it is a diamond buying job paying $102k per year and it sounds as if it is going to be a straight nigerian style thing so I'm waiting to see how that pans out (for my own entertainment)

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Nope. A real solid hook-up for a job you really want and a realistic chance of getting it sure. This is too much of a pig in a poke to invest that much time, effort and money.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Nope. A real solid hook-up for a job you really want and a realistic chance of getting it sure. This is too much of a pig in a poke to invest that much time, effort and money.

I'm half with you there.. I mean I directly applied for this job and got a callback for an interview, so I think I do have a realistic chance of getting it. I nail analytical/language tests so that should be good, then I just have to ace the interview. I'm just being pessimistic that maybe this isn't a serious interview since my last one it felt like they were just going through the motions.