Forced to withdraw from interview process?

[Eurydice84]

I saw an open position I liked, two rounds of interviews with the second interview being when I am visiting my family abroad later next week. So I called the company in advance to discuss, they said no problem, first one in person and we'll do the second one remotely if you make it through.

So I applied, I was shortlisted, had the first interview in person (on the hottest day of the year... two hours of travelling, and one sweltering excruciating hour of interview questions😅), it went very well but now they said they are not keen on virtual for second interview. I can't really change the flight tickets, they are hideously expensive at this stage. I could do in-person early in the week but that might not work for the other members of the interview panel.

Have I shot myself in the foot and should I withdraw? I am away for 10 days, I doubt they will want to wait until I come back.

I would be pissed off that they moved the goalposts and strongly reconsider if this was a company I wanted to work for.

Don’t withdraw. It’s up to them how they handle it now given you were clear you could only do second remotely.

Don’t withdraw. Just tell them you are unable to accommodate an in person interview as you’ll be overseas, but you’d be happy to participate by zoom or do face to face the following week.

Its pretty normal for it to be difficult to find mutually convenient dates so I’d be amazed if they were unwilling to reschedule. If they are unwilling it’s probably not the sort of place you want to work.

You don’t need to withdraw. It’s not possible to move the flights so their options are virtual as previously agreed or at a different date in person. Don’t jump the gun, wait and see what they say.

@PegasusReturns that is very wise. The only problem is that I will come back 10 days after the scheduled interview date, not the following week.

If they had made it clear in advance this was an issue I wouldn't have applied... but I called to discuss the matter and I was told remote interviewing was possible. A bit annoyed🙄

Don't withdraw - why would you? If they're asking you if you can come in, answer honestly - you can do it before you go or after you come back (give days and if necessary times) but your travel plans cannot be changed. Reiterate that you're willing to do a remote second interview, as they originally suggested, and if the process goes longer you're back on x date and can come in. They may just be asking as a formality - if they CAN somehow work in an in person interview, they want to. If you say they can't, then they deal with it. If they are wanting to cut you out because you can't comply with their changed schedule, then let them - but there's no advantage to you in making it easy for them.

It's possible that something in the equation has changed for them. Perhaps some of the a candidates are too close to call and they think in person meetings will help them decide. Perhaps there's a reasonable adjustment that has to be catered for. I'd just call and explain. If they can't accommodate you then that's a shame, but bad luck. On the other hand if they really really like you and you're on the top end of their list, they'll find a way to make it work.

My view is that how they respond to your request for either a virtual interview or change of date for face to face says a lot about them as an employer. You told them you had flights booked and they said that was fine. If they're unwilling to be flexible and stick to an agreement gives you insight into what it would be like to work for them.

This sums it up perfectly