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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to refuse to travel from London to Warrington for an first round interview?

119 replies

Fillybuster · 14/03/2012 12:23

I run the risk of outing myself here....but I work in a sector that tends to be quite geographically spread across the UK (and beyond). I live in London but over the past 15 years have spent lots of time travelling abroad and within the UK. For several years (post dcs) I even managed a team based in Glasgow and Manchester, and spent 2-3 days every 2 weeks with them.

All this is just to explain that I don't have a problem with travel for work!

I was recently approached by a headhunter to apply for a role with a company based in Warrington with offices all over the UK. Apparently the role could be London based as long as I was willing to travel to Warrington 1-2 days/week. No problem.

I've just been called for a first round interview....in Warrington next week. I have refused to spend a whole day travelling (and invest the money required) for a first round....maybe I'd do it for a third round, but it seems barmy to expect candidates to invest that level of time and money this early in the process.

Apparently the other 2 candidates were quite happy to do so. The recruitment consultant clearly thinks I'm a nutter for suggesting we do it by videoconf or investigate whether the hiring manager is going to be in London any time soon.

AIBU?

OP posts:

LizzieMo · 14/03/2012 12:25

I suppose it comes down to how much you want the job?

Callisto · 14/03/2012 12:26

Yep, YABU. But if you can't be arsed to travel to the interview then I guess the company will be glad not to employ you.

CailinDana · 14/03/2012 12:27

I agree with Lizzie. Twice I refused to travel for interviews and both times they did a phone interview which told me straight away that they wanted me for the job. I got both of them.

Just tell them you can't travel for family reasons and see what they say. If they don't suggest a phone/video interview then you know there weren't that keen anyway.

FredFredGeorge · 14/03/2012 12:27

Nope, YABU, headhunter is stupid

FredFredGeorge · 14/03/2012 12:28

No need to say you can't for family reasons, just tell them the truth, "sorry, with it just being a first round of interviews, I am not interested in investing them time, convince me why I should or let's do it by phone/video/whatever"

LittlePandaBear · 14/03/2012 12:29

YABU, if the interviewer is based in Warrington, they're not going to come to you are they!

You obviously aren't too keen on the job, but you may have already ruined your chances if the employer know you don't want to travel there.

Threeprinces · 14/03/2012 12:29

YABU, if you want a job you go to the interview wherever thy tell you to. Presumably they would reimburse costs?

If I was the employer I wouldn't want you now as you show lack of commitment. If you'd really be willing to go 2 days a week, then surely you can go up for an interview?

Proudnscary · 14/03/2012 12:31

I think you're being unreasonable.

This is where the job interview is being held. Do you want the job or not?

Melusina · 14/03/2012 12:33

I agree with Threeprinces.

I wouldn't want to employ you either, you may not be thinking this but your demands suggest that you are too good for them....

takeonboard · 14/03/2012 12:34

It only matters whether the prospective employer thinks YABU and i suspect they do!

OTheHugeManatee · 14/03/2012 12:34

YABU if you want the job. As a candidate you should be willing to put yourself out for an opportunity. If you're not fussed though then

PineappleBed · 14/03/2012 12:35

They normally offer to pay travel. TBH I think you are being U thinking they'll fit around you, in my experience that rarely happens unless it's a mega bucks job with a very small pool of potential applicants (which this may well be in which case I don't think you're being U). What would your attitude be if you were the interviewer?

wannaBe · 14/03/2012 12:38

yabu.

People suggesting that employer should bend over backwards to accommodate your demands are being delusional - it's an employers market and candidates are ten a penny. you're not that special.

GavisconJunkie · 14/03/2012 12:43

When I recruited people (similar situations) we would've payed travel & expenses. Have you asked?

YABU not to ask re travel. YANB THAT U otherwise. Train fares are expensive for a maybe, first round; especially if the post is based in London.

Haziedoll · 14/03/2012 12:45

YABU but you know that already.

Hellboy · 14/03/2012 12:49

YANBU if you're not too bothered about the job

mateysmum · 14/03/2012 12:49

YABU. I realise it's not quite the same, but the potential employer will simply see someone who doesn't want the job enough and whose commitment to work part of the time from Warrington is in doubt.

southlundon · 14/03/2012 12:50

I lived in London until a year ago and relocated to the NW (NE of Preston) but still work from home for my original organisation and have to travel down there on ave once a fortnight and elsewhere around the UK. For my next position, I'll probably have to try to find another job based in London that will let me work flexibly.

If they requested a first interview in London and weren't happy to do it by tele- or videoconference I'd go down there but I'd make sure either they'd pay expenses or I'd request a middle-of-the-day interview and book the cheapest fares I could.

So yes, YABU and it depends on how much you want the job really.

Original poster

Fillybuster · 14/03/2012 12:53

Interesting....my dh thinks IABU too :)

They did not offer to pay travel - trains, taxis etc will take the cost to over £100, and its a full days travel to go there/back for what will probably be an hour long interview.

I'd be happy to invest that time/money for a 2nd/3rd round, I just can't help thinking that a company which has invested loads in its videoconferencing faciliities, and makes a big deal out of flexible working, should be able to manage a 1st round remotely.

Clearly I'm wrong. But its odd, because when I have recruited staff to be based at other locations I have never insisted that they travel to London for an interview - I either did it by phone/vc or I would meet them on a day I was going to be in their area...or get a colleague to do it for me.

Hmmm...maybe I need to reconsider my attitude? I'm just not sure I'm getting this whole 'drop everything, spend £100, take a whole day off work, just so we can meet you and decide if we want to meet you a second time' thing....

OP posts:

kilmuir · 14/03/2012 12:56

YABU, guess you are happy for someone more committed to get the position. London is not the centre of the universe you know

Blu · 14/03/2012 12:59

I think YABU. But it's your choice.

It's a sellers market in jobs at the moment. People are expected to put in come investment, committment and groundwork in looking for a job. Should the company travel all over the place in order to see candidates from different parts of the country?
If I was the prospective employer I would lose interest the minute I got wind of your unwillingness to travel to the interview. And if I were the headhunter I would find you awkward and high maintenance.

ohdearwhatdoidonow · 14/03/2012 13:00

A full day? It's 1hr 50 mins from Euston to Warrington which is less than a lot of people's commute

Haziedoll · 14/03/2012 13:00

Well I do think it is unreasonable for them to not pay travel expenses, have you actually asked?

Original poster

Fillybuster · 14/03/2012 13:02

I'm looking at 2hr 43 mins one way and 2hrs 29 the other....that's after I spend an hour each way getting to Euston. That does feel rather more than my normal commute (about 1.5 hours each way)...! :)

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 14/03/2012 13:04

Fillyb - how many rounds are there likely to be? Are you sure that there is going to be more than one round - and have you asked this - if not you could perhaps amend your response to suggest a video conference/ interview and travel up following that should they still want to meet you in person?

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