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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel a bit annoyed this is why I got rejected?

239 replies

ToeSucker · 07/05/2026 16:17

I completed 5 rounds of interviews for a company. For the final interview, I had to travel across the country for an in-person meeting.

At this meeting (I met the whole team) there was a coffee break where we popped out to the local coffee shop.

The hiring manager asked me what I wanted. She also asked me what the team members next to me wanted. She paid for everyone's drinks.

Today I received a call from HR saying I was rejected, but mentioning I owe the hiring manager £3.70 for a coffee.

I'm shocked by this. I'm not sure I should be. I should have offered to pay I suppose but you're not in a normal frame of mind during interviews. I'm more annoyed I had to pay almost £240 for the train tickets and got rejected with this seemingly contributing to why.

OP posts:
Abhannmor · 07/05/2026 18:03

God Almighty you certainly dodged a bullet there! Rail fares are insane btw 😲

nomas · 07/05/2026 18:02

You should not have had to pay for the coffee or the train tickets.

Are you saying they rejected you because you didn’t offer to buy coffees for everyone? They sound like leeches.

PumpkinPieAlibi · 07/05/2026 18:02

MidnightMeltdown · 07/05/2026 17:54

HR on a power trip trying to make themselves look important

Show quote history

You do realise that when multiple interview rounds are requested, it's usually more interviews with the Line, or with the main Client depending on sector/industry or it may be for technical assessments or presentations right?
HR can't just decide to add interview rounds randomly.

Lambzig · 07/05/2026 17:59

This is absurd. Firstly every company I have worked for (I currently work in a different profession but worked in corporate companies and management consulting for 20 years) offered travel expenses to candidates. Its probably not worth it, but gosh you must be itching to send a sarcastic response.

Dont get me started on the intellectual capital that companies seem to expect from candidates. My partner is looking for a senior role at the moment. And for every interview he has been expected to develop a presentation setting out his strategy and ideas for the next couple of years. Hours of research, etc. The companies are then completely free to take and use those ideas of each candidate without employing them.

And 7 interviews is a power trip. Especially as research shows that people make their mind up about a candidate in a few seconds.

BurnoutBee · 07/05/2026 17:58

I presume this was for a 6 figure salary OP? Like 5 rounds and extensive travel for an interview?

PuppyMonkey · 07/05/2026 17:57

Ha ha, good one OP.

ginasevern · 07/05/2026 17:57

ButterYellowFlowers · 07/05/2026 17:42

I’ve never not had to pay to get myself to an interview….

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I've always paid too but the destination has invariably been within reason. This cost £240 and although I'm very out of touch with train fares, I would imagine that equated to a journey from Bristol to Glasgow!

latetothefisting · 07/05/2026 17:56

I voted YABU because your thread title suggested that you got rejected because you accepted their offer for a coffee, which unless the rejection email actually says that, I highly doubt was actually the case.

They are being U, extremely tight and completely ridiculous to bill you for it though and I absolutely wouldn't pay, and, as pp's have said, would feel like I'd dodged a bullet if that's what they're like to work for!

nozbottheblue · 07/05/2026 17:56

I voted that you are being reasonable to believe you weren’t offered the job because you didn’t pay for the coffee.
The two things are separate.
Did you ask for feedback ?

They are incredibly mean to ask for the cost of the coffee though!

excelledyourself · 07/05/2026 17:55

What exactly did they say that has made you think you were rejected because you didn’t offer to pay?

MidnightMeltdown · 07/05/2026 17:54

This reply has been deleted

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

HR on a power trip trying to make themselves look important

dayswithaY · 07/05/2026 17:54

OP, can you tell us how this request was worded? A little context is needed.

Plus, definitely name and shame.

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 07/05/2026 17:51

5 rounds of interviews… you know what there’s some draw backs to self employment but today I’m feeling pretty happy about it.

Do not pay them. Also try and get it in writing or an invoice and I’d try and sell the story to a tabloid.

WiddlinDiddlin · 07/05/2026 17:49

Five rounds of interviews? And £240 train ticket cost - where was this final interview, the Moon, via both Penzance and Edinburgh?

I'd be invoicing for the train ticket and let them know they can knock the coffee cost off that!

Beeinalily · 07/05/2026 17:49

OP you need to tell us what company it is!

happysunr1se · 07/05/2026 17:48

I've seen a clip about this as a hiring test, but for an interview in the office, where if you don't offer to go into the kitchen and wash up your mug they red flag you.

Could be they thought it was funny to try an adaptation on you?

Jerks

usedtobeaylis · 07/05/2026 17:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

malware · 07/05/2026 17:45

I can't believe someone put the request for £3.70 in writing and thought that was an acceptable thing to do.

They are obviously looking for a gullible mug and you failed the test. Send them a fiver and tell them to keep the change.

Mischance · 07/05/2026 17:44

What the actual! I think you have dodged a bullet there - but you need some proper feedback.

I doubt it was anything to do with the coffee at all; but what a cheek to ask for this - unbelievable!

MidnightMeltdown · 07/05/2026 17:44

Watdidusay · 07/05/2026 17:32

Surprised how many posters think 5 rounds is excessive. It's definitely the standard now. 7-8 rounds is on the high end but companies have been doing 7 rounds for years now.

I don't know where you all are working but I have never been offered reimbursement for interview travel! Nor has it ever been booked for me.

I don’t know what sector you work in, but I have a well paid professional job and have never been required to do more than one interview!

7-8 interviews is absurd. It’s just stupid HR people trying to look busy and justify their jobs.

usedtobeaylis · 07/05/2026 17:44

ButterYellowFlowers · 07/05/2026 17:42

I’ve never not had to pay to get myself to an interview….

Show quote history

Me neither, but then then I've never had anyone mention afterwards that I owe them money for a provided refreshment

Northermcharn · 07/05/2026 17:44

Watdidusay · 07/05/2026 17:32

Surprised how many posters think 5 rounds is excessive. It's definitely the standard now. 7-8 rounds is on the high end but companies have been doing 7 rounds for years now.

I don't know where you all are working but I have never been offered reimbursement for interview travel! Nor has it ever been booked for me.

Clearly a job creation con / power trip from companies / HR bods.. It should not be necessary to do 5 rounds or over. JC.

chipsticksmammy · 07/05/2026 17:43

Iceandfire92 · 07/05/2026 17:17

Omg this wasn't a medical devices company was it?

We’re thinking the same people I think 😂

ButterYellowFlowers · 07/05/2026 17:42

SatsumaDog · 07/05/2026 16:53

Why didn’t they pay for your travel to interview? I’ve never had organise or pay for my travel to an interview. Is this a new thing?

As for the coffee comment; I would ignore it.

I’ve never not had to pay to get myself to an interview….

usedtobeaylis · 07/05/2026 17:40

Watdidusay · 07/05/2026 17:32

Surprised how many posters think 5 rounds is excessive. It's definitely the standard now. 7-8 rounds is on the high end but companies have been doing 7 rounds for years now.

I don't know where you all are working but I have never been offered reimbursement for interview travel! Nor has it ever been booked for me.

7-8 rounds of interviews is pompous as fuck and inefficient interviewing.