Interview Travel Expenses

[XDA]

Do companies still reimburse interview costs? Is it frowned upon to ask?

I’m not talking about a small business but a FTSE 100 business and approx £20.

(I know £20 isn’t much to the multi-millionaire captains of industry that frequent PH)

I’m looking at a 150 mile round trip plus parking costs for an interview at their head office for a role that’s based where I live (75 miles from their office).

I would only request the reimbursement if I was unsuccessful.

[Scrump]

My employer pays reasonable travel expenses to interviewees.

[alangla]

You can only ask I guess. I paid my own flexible train ticket to London and overnight hotel for a job interview with a FTSE 100 company, indeed probably one of the largest ones. Not only did they not make any offer to pay, it turned out later that the budget for the role hadn’t been signed off, so the job didn’t even exist!

In short, treat it like an investment & if it’s an agent you’re dealing with, push them to ensure the job actually exists.

[98elise]

I wouldn't ask before the interview. Don't give them any reason to dislike you before you even set foot through the door!

Personally I've never been offered, or asked for travelling expenses. It's just part of the job hunting process IMO.

[carlo996]

XDA said:

Do companies still reimburse interview costs? Is it frowned upon to ask?

I’m not talking about a small business but a FTSE 100 business and approx £20.

(I know £20 isn’t much to the multi-millionaire captains of industry that frequent PH)

I’m looking at a 150 mile round trip plus parking costs for an interview at their head office for a role that’s based where I live (75 miles from their office).

I would only request the reimbursement if I was unsuccessful.

If unsuccessful?

TBH if any candidate asked me after the interview process I would take it as a sign that they hadn't properly prepared? Ask up front, then you know where you stand.

[XDA]

alangla said:

In short, treat it like an investment & if it’s an agent you’re dealing with, push them to ensure the job actually exists.

I’m dealing directly with the business itself. The role was advertised on their website and the hiring manager was promoting it on his LinkedIn profile. No agency involved.

I’ve been messed around myself for other roles where it’s turned out the role didn’t really exist.

[XDA]

98elise said:

I wouldn't ask before the interview. Don't give them any reason to dislike you before you even set foot through the door!

Personally I've never been offered, or asked for travelling expenses. It's just part of the job hunting process IMO.

I was going to ask after the interview for those reasons.

I’ve never asked for or been offered them before either. It’s just on this occasion it involves a 150 mile round trip to a large city centre building for a role in another part of the country.

It’s my first in person interview since 2020 - Since COVID they’ve all been remote.

Edited by XDA on Sunday 4th February 17:13

[brianmorrison]

I was once offered an interview and they offered to cover expenses (was living in London, but interview was in Aberdeen). Took the interview but they then stalled on payment to refund after and was a stream of excuses. Didn't get refunded back either. Again, this was a large global oil services company.

[XDA]

carlo996 said:

If unsuccessful?

TBH if any candidate asked me after the interview process I would take it as a sign that they hadn't properly prepared? Ask up front, then you know where you stand.

I say unsuccessful because if I accept the role, the £20 doesn’t really matter that much to me as I see it as an investment in myself (if that makes sense?).

Whereas on the other hand, if I’m unsuccessful then I’ve spent £20 and driven 150 miles for nothing.

I’m in two minds about asking for them to cover the £20 costs whether successful or unsuccessful as it’s not a lot of money in the grand scheme of things.

It’s just annoying having to go so far for an interview that could probably be completed remotely or the interviewers could have travelled to the area where the candidates live - after all their time and costs will be paid for!

[Mortarboard]

For 20 quid, I wouldn't bother. Seems a touch "graspy"

Some firms won't mind, some might go "20 quid?"

M.

[XDA]

Mortarboard said:

For 20 quid, I wouldn't bother. Seems a touch "graspy"

Some firms won't mind, some might go "20 quid?"

M.

That’s my thinking as well. Also don’t want to make a bad impression over £20.

[Mr_J]

If you're applying for a graduate role then perhaps you could ask but if you're an experienced hire then no, just no.

[shirt]

brianmorrison said:

I was once offered an interview and they offered to cover expenses (was living in London, but interview was in Aberdeen). Took the interview but they then stalled on payment to refund after and was a stream of excuses. Didn't get refunded back either. Again, this was a large global oil services company.

I had an interview in London whilst living in Leeds. They covered my train fare, hotel and a day’s rates as I was self employed at the time.

Got the job. I’m my time there I’ve known them to cover costs to flying people in for 2nd/3rd stage interviews.

[LHRFlightman]

I worked at Heathrow and advertised for a position.

Two exceptional candidates, one in Dublin, one in Edinburgh. Both in the early stages of their careers, so much so that I knew travelling to Heathrow was going to be a big financial commitment.

I asked if we would assist. Flat out no.

[Gargamel]

Mr_J said:

If you're applying for a graduate role then perhaps you could ask but if you're an experienced hire then no, just no.

Hmm,

Not sure about this.

We used to pay travel expenses for interviews when requested. (Often air fares too) Even in the UK office I would occasionally be asked if we would cover travel costs, we would always do so.

Op - I think 20 bucks is on the low end to ask.

[fourstardan]

20 quid....are you having a girrafe.

[GT03ROB]

XDA said:

Do companies still reimburse interview costs? Is it frowned upon to ask

Yes & no.

If it was £20 I wouldn’t bother though.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

I work for an international organisation and we cover all costs, but flights are only economy.

I can't see how a 150 mile journey only attracts costs of 20 quid though, but even if that was my total cost I certainly wouldn't be asking for it.

[Countdown]

XDA said:

Do companies still reimburse interview costs? Is it frowned upon to ask?

I’m not talking about a small business but a FTSE 100 business and approx £20.

(I know £20 isn’t much to the multi-millionaire captains of industry that frequent PH)

I’m looking at a 150 mile round trip plus parking costs for an interview at their head office for a role that’s based where I live (75 miles from their office).

I would only request the reimbursement if I was unsuccessful.

If it's a FTSE100 business I'd email their HR department. They will almost definitely have a policy on interview expenses and it's highly unlikely to get back to the Hiring Manager.

ETA our company pays and then HR kick up a fuss when somebody claims a n anytime return on Avanti Northwest, or an overnight hotel stay. FFS it's your Policy just put a £50 cap on it.

Edited by Countdown on Sunday 4th February 18:11

[Aunty Pasty]

The only time I asked about and was offered expenses was when I was job hunting as an unemployed graduate on income support. £20 isn't a lot when you're already earning but if you're skint, it representss a few days worth of food.