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

[ToeSucker]

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.

5 rounds of interviews? And £240 on train fares? And you didn't get the money refunded for the train fares? And now they want the money back for a drink that cost less than four quid?

What fresh hell?!

You need to make a claim for the train fares - I would! If they won't pay, it's advisable to check in future (with any prospective employer) that they pay for travel expenses.

Who on earth is this company? Name and shame @ToeSucker ! And what job was it for? I have never heard anything like this!

Dreadful. AI was supposed to make things more efficient was it not.. They need to sieve out poorer applications before any interview or psychometric testing.

And yes - agree with your last para, good idea.

A memorable brown nose perhaps!

You've got half an idea though. "I won't be reimbursing the cost of the coffee due to the travel expenses I incurred. However, I would be very happy to stand ....... (name of person - always remember names) a hot drink in return if you think I would suit any position in the future".

But like others say, they might be a bunch of wankers.

FIVE interview rounds? And you had to travel cross country for the 5th with no expenses reimbursed?
I would have expected my coffee to be paid for too.
Work out all your time and expenses for all 5 rounds and send them a bill.

Absolutely don't pay that £3.50, let the manager claim it on her expenses.

The lady who has the thread complaining her husband doesn’t have a new job after 2 weeks or something, needs to read this thread.

In that situation where the manager has asked for everyones order you would expect they are paying, I probably would have checked. Manager clearly thought they could expense it & found they couldn’t. Incredibly petty & you had a lucky escape there

She shouldn't have offered to buy you a cup of coffee if she couldn't afford it. It was perfectly reasonable to expect that when someone offers to buy you a coffee that is a gift, not a loan. You don't owe them anything.

That is barely plausible. I mean it's outrageous?!!

Five rounds of interviews, hours of prep and travel, probably £300 in costs and this fucko wants £3.40 for a coffee she offered to buy you at an interview she invited you to. Mind blowing shit.

I honestly think that would be the worst employer in the world. You had a lucky escape.

Even when I worked for scammers in direct comission only sales the boss bought us lunch?!

Wtf kind of job requires five rounds of interviews? Sounds incredibly inefficient. Send a bill for your travel costs and deduct the coffee.

Do not pay. What a cf!!!

Thats appalling. Don’t pay it. What a bloody cheek!

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.

What did you say to the request OP?

Is this one of those stupid fucking tests like the 'coffee cup' one where if you don't offer to wash the cup you don't get the job?

That’s ridiculous.

5 rounds of interviews?! Were you applying for a job as prime minister? I’ve never had more than one interview for a job in my life.

The only time I’ve had to travel a long distance, the company offered to pay the train fare.

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

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

We’re thinking the same people I think 😂

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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

OP you need to tell us what company it is!