Asking for an interviews at a convenient time

[CantConcentrateEver]

I'm 23 and have been having grad interviews. I don't live in London but have been happily going up there to attend interviews. Some of them are eg at 9.50am so early; I've booked my train in advance to save money and leave home at 6ish so not terrible.

My parents think I should "stick up for myself" to stop myself being "shat on" by future employers. Ie ask for an interview after peak train travel time to save on travel expenses (which are not reimbursed).

I OTOH think I should just suck it up and that it is what it is.

Who is right?!

[QueryQuery]

It's perfectly reasonable to ask if there is a later slot. I've done it before when I wasn't able to attend a morning interview as I couldn't get the morning off. They may say no, but equally another candidate may prefer your slot.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

I think that if you want/need a job, you have to suck it up. There will probably be plenty of other candidates if you don't go.

Is it possible to set up a few interviews on the same day, or a couple of days, so that you aren't toing and froing?

[CantConcentrateEver]

Ok that's interesting, thank you.

Yes, currently I've just been going to interviews at times that suit the organisation. But good to know that there may be room for manoeuvre - I was concerned it would be seen as cheeky to ask

[Longdistance]

You need to suck it up tbh. If you're looking for a job in the city you'll be paying for peak times surely, if the job is 9-5.

I do interviews with my manager, and sometimes the interviewees even like to change the day, it screams of 'not willing', or 'not that bothered' when they cancel days/times. It's not always convenient at other times, ie the office needs to be used for a customer appointment.
Well, that's my view on it, as someone that attends interviews.

[Akire]

By all means ask but just go with it if not. Could be they are testing your organisation skills. I know if someone lived 2h train ride away I may book them in for 9.30 to see how on time they would be. If you struggle then I may think twice if work starts at 9. It's also a good eye opening for you, no good going in at 2pm thinking plenty of room on train then buy season ticket and stand all the way

[Inneedofadvice553]

Suck it up, They don't know you are not based in London. The office time is more important than yours personally. They could have other meetings planned.

As a recent grad you have to expect to be "shat on" and to suck it up

[Anotherusername1]

If you're looking for a job in the city you'll be paying for peak times surely, if the job is 9-5.

Yes but then you'll be receiving a salary and possibly a season ticket loan.

You don't have to suck it up. They want a good employee. You want a good job. You both have an interest in compromising. So yes you can ask for a later slot, but they may not be able to accommodate due to interviewer/meeting room availability. There is absolutely no harm in asking. And there's no harm in asking for a different day either, they can only say no.

[Smartiepants79]

Well I think there's no harm in asking if you have a valid reason - childcare, other longstanding appointments but overall I think you just have to go when they ask you. I think messing them around too much sends the wrong signals, doesn't show much enthusiasm for the position!

[CantConcentrateEver]

Yes I agree completely that it screams lack of commitment. Also agree that recent grads are essentially at the bottom of the food chain so happy to prove myself

My parents are being a bit naive I think... They work for themselves so are quick to point out when employers are taking advantage without realising it's the same for everyone who's in my boat

[bookishandblondish]

Depends on the interviews. Some employers will have structured interview slots especially if tests are included. Our issue is normally getting the interviewers together in the same room, but we have switched days/ times around for candidates.

Ask but don't necessarily expect. Also, don't explain its the early train etc, just ask if it would be possible.

[scribblegirl]

I think parents can be a little out of the loop. I'm 26 and when I was applying for grad jobs (in 2010, not the best time to be looking...!) my mum asked how I was getting on. She was horrified at the rudeness of one employer not sending a rejection letter to say they wouldn't interview me... I pointed out that most interviewers now barely deign to send a rejection letter even when you have interviewed!

It's a hard slog OP, you have my sympathies!

[Sparklycat]

When I was looking for a job in different county and had to be at interviews for 9am I'd either et up super early and travel or book a hotel and stay overnight. Asking for a later interview as you have to leave at 6am sounds a bit lazy, loads of people start their daily commutes earlier than that.

[SevenOfNineTrue]

If you need a job, you dance to the company tune.

They will have set times for interviews or assessment centres and I can tell you that, when I was in recruitment, if a grad could not make a time slot it was tough luck.

You are in no bargaining position here. You will be up against loads of other candidates happy to travel and meet at the companies convenience.

[CantConcentrateEver]

Yeah I agree sparklycat it's more the financial commitment - trains before 9am in my area are very expensive

[ChampaleSocialist]

There is no harm in asking, the explanation that off peak travel is more economical is a good one.

[Sparklycat]

Yep they will be as its peak time. I'm afraid you're just going to have to accept that if you want a job in the city

[Bearbehind]

Rightly or wrongly I'm pretty sure you'll have a black mark beside your name before you've even arrived for the interview if you ask for it to be later in the day.

Anything 9-5 is fair game.

At best your parents are being naive, at worst it's quite arrogant.

Good luck with the interviews.

[Lambzig]

I can't believe they aren't reimbursing your travel costs. We always do (global engineering consultancy), I think we get reception to give them the travel expenses form to complete while they are waiting and I always ask in interview.

[SuperFlyHigh]

Is there anyone you could stay with in the london area either overnight or if you arrange a few interviews over 2-3 days? Maybe even a hostel.

Coach though taking longer is also cheaper generally as you can sort out train times if you get the job.

[SuperFlyHigh]

I would tentatively ask about reimbursement of travel as a previous company I worked for offered this too.

[Haggisfish]

I don't think there is any harm in asking. It's bloody awful travel expenses aren't refunded. I remember the halcyon days when travel was refunded.

[RhiWrites]

Is your surname near the beginning of the alphabet? Our HR tends to schedule alphabetically.

When we can we'd accommodate a later slot (if someone else dropped out or if you asked in advance that should you be successful in gaining an interview a later slot would be appreciated). We might ask how you'd intend to handle the commute.

What I dislike is candidates asking for an interview in another day. We'd have to reconvene the panel and these things are booked weeks in advance. Those I generally say no to.

(I am a recruiting manager and have interviewed hundreds of people.)

[RhiWrites]

Oh we also will refund travel expenses but only one person has ever asked.

[TeddTess]

if it's graduate recruitment surely the norm is a full assessment day including interviews. all candidates would have to be there for the full day.

if you want the job i would just go along with it for now. different situation when you have experience and are in a stronger position / they want you rather than just one of a number of potential grads.

[redexpat]

I dont think thats UR to ask. I guess as you are interviewing for a grad scheme you are unemployed so shelling out £100 a time for something you might not even get is actually a big ask. If you are sucessful then youll have a bigger salary from which to pay your ticket, plus youll have more access to railcards etc.