AIBU to go to a job interview, even though I have no intention of taking the job?

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I have already done a telephone interview.
It is a permanent job about 400 miles from where I live. 50% cut in pay as I am presently freelance.

Do it - if nothing else it's good experience

why do you want to go if you don't want the job?

won't you have to trvel 400 miles to attend the interview?

It's always helpful to go to an interview to practise your interview skills, but I'd find it uncomfortable if I thought I was one of only a couple of people they were interviewing for something really specialist. Also, 400 miles is a long way to go for an interview if you're not interested in teh job, isn't it?

Well I am interested in the job & the location as I have always wanted to work in that city, it is really the drop in pay that is putting me off.
I would fly so the distance isn't a show stopper.

Don't go. You're wasting their time if you do and you have no intention of taking the job if offered.

And it may mean they'll interview another candidate instead that does want it.

Sounds like a lot of needless expense to go to just to get some interview practice in - also not fair on the company wasting their time on you when they could be considering someone who genuinely wants the job.

And it may mean they'll interview another candidate instead that does want it.

They're not going to have only one candidate, so they'll still have willing people to take the job - the OP isn't taking an opportunity away from anyone else, even if she's offered the job - she'll refuse it, it'll go to the second choice. People go to speculative interviews all the time.

But it is a bit of a waste of their time if it's a very specialist interview and you really don't want the job.

No. A waste of time, both your and the interviewers. I'd be really cross if I found out someone had done this to me. Staff recruitment is a tiring enough process as it is.

400 miles? you must be kidding.

She is taking an opportunity away from someone else if there are only 5 spaces on the interview shortlist and she takes one of the places when she has no intention of taking the job. Someone else could have that space on the shortlist.

I get the point about interview practice but in this case you're doing that at someone else's expense and they might not be best pleased. If they would be a good contact for you in future then I would turn it down now while they have time to add someone else to the list.

If you do go ahead then you need to rehearse a really convincing reason for turning them down that doesn't burn bridges for the future.

I get the point about interview practice but in this case you're doing that at someone else's expense and they might not be best pleased. If they would be a good contact for you in future then I would turn it down now while they have time to add someone else to the list.

If you do go ahead then you need to rehearse a really convincing reason for turning them down that doesn't burn bridges for the future.

Is there any way you'd take the job? If you want to live in that City, what's the living costs like there? Could you have the same standard of living on a lower wage? Would you be prepared to negotate a higher wage? Would you like the security of a position that's not self employed?

Also, it would depend on your industry, but word travels very fast in my sector and you might find yourself unable to secure an interview for a job you really want if you get a reputation for messing people about.

If you're not prepared to accept a 50% cut in pay (and why would you?) then it seems highly unlikely that you are going to take this role even if you were offered it.

So on that basis, and the fact that you'd need to take a flight/travel 400 miles to interview, I wouldn't do it.

Interview practice and experience is all well and good but in this case, it sounds like you are just wasting theirs -and your own, time.

If you're sure you won't take the job, don't go for the interview. The interviewers will be going through the recruitment process on top of everything else they have to do in their job, so you're wasting their time. At the very least, someone who would take the job and who doesn't look as good as you on paper, so didn't make the shortlist, might have an opportunity to have a crack at this.

I am 55, so do not really think I need the interview practice ;-)
It is a pretty niche subject, so they will be doing well to find 3 or 4 people at the right level. I also appreciate that the remuneration will not hold a candle to a freelance rate, I am just wondering if there are any unique advantages I haven't thought of.
Travel will cost me very little as I have air miles to use :-)
The organisation approached me via LinkedIn.

Can't you ask them on the phone if there are any "unique advantages"?

When we were recruiting a new head of department we found someone who we thought was right for the job. He then took another job. The director in charge was extremely annoyed at the waste of time and money (to the recruiting agency). So if you want to seriously piss them off then go ahead.

Sounds like you have already decided to go?

YABU. What a waste of time for the interviewers.

How secure is your freelance income and how much do you need the level of income you are currently earning?

Depending on your circumstances, a secure income of X could be better than an insecure income of 2X.

If they approached you, they may be willing to pay more, if they really want you/your skills?

If you didn't have any intention of taking the job, I really wouldn't bother. As others have said, its a waist of everyone's time and you are taking away the opportunity from someone who might really want/need the job.

waist = waste FFS

Sounds like you have already decided to waste their time, so why ask?