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

[Fillybuster]

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?

Ivanta I wonder if we've ever passed each other in the street......?

Note to self: grab bag of Pombears and head to Bank Quay tomorrow morning

oooh, maybe! I live in P***h, if that makes any sense.

Ivanta I love love love your name :o

It does Ivanta

I'm on t'other side (would do what you did but would make it really obvious lol!)

Sorry OP for hijacking your thread

YABU and bloody stupid if you actually want the job.

Stop me if I'm a million miles from the mark, but the enthusiasm isn't exactly flying out of you in relation to this job.

If you don't want it, why not just withdraw from the interview process. And do them and yourself a favour, instead of going into it in a half arsed manner.

Dh had to take a 2hr flight for an interview for a job based in the same building he was already working in. We're still not entirely sure why the interviews were based elsewhere. He wasn't exactly over the moon about it, but felt it was worth it for the job (which he got). If you really want the job is it really such a big issue?

I was headhunted for a job in January. I was interested in the position, or at least I was interested in finding out more about it before making a decision on whether I wanted to work for the organisation.

They asked me to go and meet them at their offices in Switzerland. I got 3 days notice to book a flight and hotel, find where they were and prep for the interview. I live in the UK. I went and am really glad that I did. They did of course cover my expenses. They did offer me the position after another 2 interviews, but I actually decided not to take it. I don't regret going though and finding out about it. However, part of the feedback I got was that they liked that I was flexible and turned up for the interview with only a few days notice, an address of where to find the office, and a presentation!

I think it depends on how interested you are in the role and your career. Warrington is hardly a million miles away and is easy to get to. You sound as though you are not interested, in which case you should just let them know before they waste time.

Part of an interview is for you to also find out if you like them, the environment they want you to work in etc etc - can you really do this over VC?

I also interview people quite a lot in my current role. If somebody that I had invited in for an interview told me that they didn't have the time or money to attend and suggest that I do it over VC I would just think that they were wasting my time and unfortunately I wouldn't progress with them.

Quote: Quenelle
It's incredibly wasteful of time and money (whoever's paying) to drag someone to the other end of the country for an hour-long meeting when, let's face it, they're likely to decide within the first two minutes whether they'll want to see you again."

^ exactly.

And once again, I agree with OP.

Needless travel expenses in excess of £100 for nothing is bad enough for an employed person - but bloody appalling if you aren't.
Agencies/headhunters (employers) just don't think - even if the high tech option for first round interviews would make better financial sense for all concerned!

Have you asked about interview expenses. If you were actually "headhunted" I'm sure that they would be more than willing to pay them.

Quick update: apparently the hiring manager is going to be in London next Friday so is happy to interview me in one of the London offices sometime then :)

We are all agreed that I will happily travel to Warrington for a second round the following week if I make it through.

Hurrah :)

Well done

Well that's good You'll have to keep us all posted as to whether you get it.

How did that interview go Filly?

Just thought I should give you all a quick update on the Warrington job, as you've all mostly been so lovely and supportive (even those who thought I should get on the train!).

Met the hiring manager at the (very very large and impressive) London HQ on Friday. We hit it off really well and had an excellent interview/conversation about the industry, what we we doing, where it is going, potential for change etc. One of those meetings where you just know that you're definitely through to 2nd round, and stand a good chance of getting the offer.

Until....1.5 hours in, at the 'any more questions' stage, we got to the geographic location thing. So....recruitment consultant (external agency) had told me 1-2 days a week in Warrington. I had said, no problem but with 3 dcs under 6, it can't be more than that.

Hiring manager tells me I'd be managing a team of 12.....all based in Warrington. I'd be dealing with senior management/exec....all based in Warrington. I'd be managing/interfacing with lots of operational parts of the business...yes, you've guessed it....

So, he's looking for someone who can be based pretty much anywhere, but who has to be willing to be based out of the Warrington office 2, 3. sometimes 4 days a week.

At that point, I (regretfully) ruled myself out.

Both he and I have complained to the recruitment consultancy that they totally wasted our time.

It was lovely to meet him, and we will stay in touch. Who knows, another (London) based role may come up in the future. But I'm very glad I didn't invest a day's leave, and £100, in finding out that the role wasn't at all suitable!!

to me, here, the thing is they head hunted you, so by definition they do want you... but you don't necessarily want to change post just like that, after all you didn't go out searching for it.
this happened to me recently although I was offered the job without interview[ they knew me] . I turned it down, the timing etc wasn't right.. it was a bit awkward though.
my rule of thumb is, if I have not actually hunted out and applied for a job myself, then I don't really want it deep down.

seen your update now and not surprised at all !

Well at least you've managed to make a good contact in the company. Keep in touch with him and yes, another London-based role may hopefully come up soon.

Thanks for the update too

Sounds entirely typical of a headhunter to bend the truth about whats on offer just to get you to go for interview...