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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:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 07/05/2026 17:04

Just ignore the request

CruCru · 07/05/2026 16:57

Please tell me that if you had to prepare a presentation on some part of the industry / job, you put your name in a watermark all over it.

Diorama2 · 07/05/2026 16:57

Northermcharn · 07/05/2026 16:45

5 rounds of interview? Tells you a lot about the company. 5 rounds is excessive and inefficient, laughable really. I'd love to know what the job is.. They obv pay terribly as well, if they're claiming one coffee back on expenses.

Five rounds seems pretty normal nowadays from my DCs experience. CVs , application forms, tasks, one way video interviews, personality tests, first few rounds tend to be AI so not necessarily inefficient for the company but time-consuming for applicants. Can’t believe someone didn’t just suck up the few pounds for coffee given they’d rejected you, even if they couldn’t claim on expenses.
but it’s a tough job market and reputation matters so I wouldn’t go too nuclear. I’d pay and maybe say you’d love to take the person out for coffee if any other relevant roles come up and you are invited for interview again (ie shame them with kindness) and if you need a job it might make you memorable.

youalright · 07/05/2026 16:55

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.

Because their obviously a shitty company I think op had a lucky escape

youalright · 07/05/2026 16:54

Cheeky fuckers send them a bill for your train tickets

Gingercatlover · 07/05/2026 16:54

Whatever happened to hospitality!

How rude!

Are you able to claim expenses for the train? If not is email back and say to knock it off the X amount you are out of pocket.

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.

PullTheBricksDown · 07/05/2026 16:53

Ignore that pathetic request. What are they going to do, take you to the small claims court for £3.70?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 07/05/2026 16:53

Ridiculous behaviour on their part, whether not paying for the coffee was the reason you got rejected or not.

Be grateful, you have dodged a bullet

LlynTegid · 07/05/2026 16:52

Unless it would cause an issue with your personal safety, please name the company.

The recent laws passed about employment protections should outlaw certain recruitment practices. Not just trial shifts.

CruCru · 07/05/2026 16:50

Five rounds of interviews (unless you plan to be the CEO) is a bit abusive. I would leave a review on Glassdoor.

Notyouagaindear · 07/05/2026 16:48

It sounds like it was a test, to see if you’d offer to pay. You’ve dodged a bullet in any case and I would strongly consider invoicing them for your travel expenses - unless it’s one of those industries where everyone knows everyone else and this would affect your reputation.

Franpie · 07/05/2026 16:47

If you had to travel to a location that wouldn’t be your place of work if you got the job then your travel expenses should be covered by them.

And expecting you to pay for your own coffee during an interview is obscene!

KojaksLollipop · 07/05/2026 16:45

I would send £3.60 in 5p and 10ps and two black jacks in a padded envelope.

Northermcharn · 07/05/2026 16:45

5 rounds of interview? Tells you a lot about the company. 5 rounds is excessive and inefficient, laughable really. I'd love to know what the job is.. They obv pay terribly as well, if they're claiming one coffee back on expenses.

MrsOni · 07/05/2026 16:40

I've never attended an interview without my travel expenses being covered by the company, let alone a sodding coffee. Sounds like you dodged a bullet.

SingtotheCat · 07/05/2026 16:40

This is ridiculous. The five interviews and the stupid coffee.

JulietteHasAGun · 07/05/2026 16:38

Have they actually asked you for the money? I’d kind of expect a drink to be provided for me in an interview to be honest. Even in the situation you describe I’d have assumed there was an expenses account or something.

PrincessofWells · 07/05/2026 16:37

Block, delete, next . . .

ACynicalDad · 07/05/2026 16:36

I'd send a bill for your costs, including the coffee and say you'll pay the manager back once this has cleared.

RB68 · 07/05/2026 16:36

I would definitely pursue them for expenses - they should be offering at 5th interview for goodness sake. I bet the manager thought he could expense it and they refused!!!

Credittocress · 07/05/2026 16:35

I’d tell them to reimburse you for your travel and time. I’d also leave reviews on glassdoor, trustpilot and google telling people about your experience. Fuckers.

ladymuckofthemanor · 07/05/2026 16:32

Definitely invoice them for the train tickets!

StormGazing · 07/05/2026 16:30

That’s bloody insane! I’d be inclined to write to the CEO … they’re clearly tight fisted and bluntly, pathetic that they can’t even stump up money for a coffee for the candidates!

Zanatdy · 07/05/2026 16:29

Wow, what a cheek.