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Original poster

Paying out of own pocket to travel far for interview?

42 replies

wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 14:33

Hello, hope you can help me 😊
I have a teams interview on Friday for a job I’m really excite about (it’s a couple of rungs up the ladder
for me and I’m sure I won’t get it but I’m going to try
my hardest).
the role is mainly home based with some travel.

i just had an email confirming my virtual interview on Friday and saying if it goes well I may be shortlisted and called
to a second interview on Wednesday 29th March in London.

I am a single mum on quite a low income and to pay for travel and childcare for next Wednesday at short notice is a lot for me having looked at flights (I’m north of Scotland) As I won’t know until Monday 27th if I’ve made short list for 2nd interview.

Is it reasonable for me to ask to be reimbursed for my travel or is this something I just need to suck up and if I don’t get the job just accept
i spent a lot
on flights but had
good
experience?

I travel occasionally for my current role and have for others too but the travel has always been covered by the company so I’m not out of pocket.

I really don’t want to set off on bad foot with them obviously as the job would be amazing!

OP posts:
tribpot · 20/03/2023 14:38

I wonder if you could start off by saying 'given the distance, I wondered if there was any possibility of doing the second interview remotely?'. I can definitely understand why you want to approach this cautiously, but if you were currently working (I can't tell if you are?) you'd be having to take basically 2 days off work for a short-ish interview, so there is a time factor as well as a cost factor to this. And time sounds better than cost!

Kazzyhoward · 20/03/2023 14:39

I think you'll have to suck it up really. My son has recently been doing interviews for the final stages of graduate jobs. That's involved a couple of long journeys to London, needing an overnight stay (he didn't want to risk train travel on the same day in view of the unreliable trains at the moment). It's just one of the downsides of living so far away from London. Very few of the jobs advertised were in Northern/Scottish towns.

Angelofthenortheast · 20/03/2023 14:43

I got travel reimbursement for my last two interviews in January, neither were for high salaries (both were approx 27k).

I just emailed and said "I am from a low income household but I would really like the opportunity to attend this interview. Can you cover my travel cost?"

And both said "yes that's fine"

Definitely ask!

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 14:45

This sounds really good, thank you. I’ll maybe see if I get offered a second interview I’ll send exactly
this.

OP posts:
Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 14:46

tribpot · 20/03/2023 14:38

I wonder if you could start off by saying 'given the distance, I wondered if there was any possibility of doing the second interview remotely?'. I can definitely understand why you want to approach this cautiously, but if you were currently working (I can't tell if you are?) you'd be having to take basically 2 days off work for a short-ish interview, so there is a time factor as well as a cost factor to this. And time sounds better than cost!

I am currently working so exactly this- would require 2
days of annual leave, an overnight sitter+ the flights
so quite a lot (when I really
don’t have a lot).

OP posts:
AllInADay · 20/03/2023 15:00

If you are a single parent on a low income, try contacting your local job centre about Flexible Support Fund. Also, if you get to the second stage, simply ask the company if they'll pay your expenses.

LondonMummer · 20/03/2023 15:09

I don't think you even need to mention that you are asking because you are a low income family. Wait until they offer a second interview and then ask if they happy to reimburse costs. In my experience any decent employer would fully expect to do so especially given the distance. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they mention it.

Paq · 20/03/2023 15:52

Any organisation I've worked for has always reimbursed interview expenses. Just ask what their policy is (if and when you are offered a f2f).

Chewbecca · 20/03/2023 15:54

Yes, just ask. Don't make excuses or give reasons, just ask outright.
Is an agent involved? Even easier to ask them..

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 16:39

Thank you all! I’m so so awful at this sort of thing. No agent it’s just direct with the company. I’ll wait and see how Friday goes and if I get a 2nd interview.

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 20/03/2023 16:40

I work for a charity which is notoriously tight but we'd offer travel expenses for interviews for sure.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 16:47

ive always worked for charities and never expect to get much, it’s just going to be a big whack between last minute flights and a hotel overnight and then my annual leave I’ll need to take from current job (tho obviously don’t expect them to have to cover that)
and
if I don’t get the job I’d feel a bit annoyed at spending all that when it would cover a wee caravan holiday for the kids and me in the summer😊

OP posts:
LondonMummer · 20/03/2023 17:13

Don't be apologetic about it! I am a high earner and would expect any company to cover this cost (including travel to and from the airport etc). Indeed we just paid all travel expenses for someone to do a similar journey for an interview (and in fact we took care of organising all the logistics). I really would think twice if there's any expectation of you paying.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 17:15

Oh that’s so helpful thank you! Good to know a high earner would expect it covered too, I wondered if it was just expected you covered your own expenses which I really can’t afford to do if I don’t get the job 😂

OP posts:
AbstractFlower · 20/03/2023 17:40

I wouldn't even contemplate going unless they offer to pay your costs. They presumably know where you life and if they appoint you they'll have to cover the cost whenever they ask you to make the trip. This is no different and if they aren't prepared to cover it, it's not a firm you want to work for IMO.

Probably, when you get the interview invitation they'll include details on how to book/claim reimbursement for travel. If they don't, ask for it on the assumption that they'll be paying. Don't make it seem like a favour.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 17:40

This is so so helpful, thank you

OP posts:
custardbear · 20/03/2023 17:43

Once you get the details from the company there'll very likely be an expenses claim form too. If not then speak to HR about reimbursement

fgdk · 20/03/2023 17:49

It used to be the norm but less so now, especially public sector. I assume the role isn't usually based in London? If so, I think that is grounds enough to justify asking the question.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 17:58

Well. Advert says home based
with some travel- I’m in far north Scotland and can travel but applied on basis it’s mainly
home based like my current role. Company based in central london. so I’m not too sure how often they’ll expect me to travel - it’s one of my questions for 1st interview.

OP posts:
fgdk · 20/03/2023 18:05

On that basis I would definitely ask, if it's home based in your contract they should be paying for your travel.

Best of luck OP!

Badbudgeter · 20/03/2023 18:13

AllInADay · 20/03/2023 15:00

If you are a single parent on a low income, try contacting your local job centre about Flexible Support Fund. Also, if you get to the second stage, simply ask the company if they'll pay your expenses.

I asked about that and was told it was only for people starting work/ needing to work more category. They wouldn't help atall when I was changing jobs despite it being a good step up in terms of income as I was already meeting my work commitments.

CrapBucket · 20/03/2023 18:13

Three things-

  1. The first interview is for you to show them how valuable they are. Don't ask about working arrangements. They may already have a strong local candidate and you don't want to put a pointless doubt in their mind. Keep it to all the amazing success and experience and qualities you have and how this can benefit them.
  1. For the second interview, simply ask them for details of their process on how to be reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs.
  1. Good luck!!
Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 19:00

CrapBucket · 20/03/2023 18:13

Three things-

  1. The first interview is for you to show them how valuable they are. Don't ask about working arrangements. They may already have a strong local candidate and you don't want to put a pointless doubt in their mind. Keep it to all the amazing success and experience and qualities you have and how this can benefit them.
  1. For the second interview, simply ask them for details of their process on how to be reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs.
  1. Good luck!!

So helpful and kind. Thank you!

OP posts:
CrapBucket · 20/03/2023 21:01

Just realised point 1. should say show how valuable YOU are! Not them, sorry!

I had this advice from someone recently and it really helped me, I hope it helps you too.

Original poster
wobblymum1 · 20/03/2023 21:07

that is so kind, thank you. Definitely feel I’m punching above my weight with it but I’m just going to give it my best shot and be glad
of the interview experience at a higher level if it’s a no 😊

OP posts: