interesting interview etiquette question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

DementedReality · 08-08-2007, 04:34 PM

here is the scenario .. i had worked for 16 years at one company and was in a very senior role. i have interviewed and hired countless # of people, but havent had to interview for a job since high school.

circumstances find me now looking for work. two different companies are interested in my skills and both want to fly me to Toronto for an interview, at their expense.

id rather not make two trips in one week back and forth from Calgary to Toronto. however, i dont think it would be appropriate to interview with one company at another companies expense.

i could offer to pay my own way and whichever company hires me agrees to pay me back, but what if neither company hire me? id rather not put the money out in that case.

any suggestions? i can see a situation where I leave Calgary on Monday, come home Tuesday night and leave again on Wednesday. Seems like a needless waste, so any suggestions how to handle this? I dont want the two companies to know of each other (at this stage).

Madman · 08-08-2007, 04:35 PM

It might suck, but I'd take two trips to make certain you don't step on any toes.

jolinar of malkshor · 08-08-2007, 04:42 PM

What if one company paid for your trip there and the other company paid for your trip back?

ZDogg · 08-08-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

What if one company paid for your trip there and the other company paid for your trip back?

Sounds reasonable or make one company pay for the trip out. The other pays for the hotel...

HOOT · 08-08-2007, 05:04 PM

Here is the question if you were in both companies shoes what would you think of it?

I personnally would just take the two trips, it sucks, but at least you aren't stepping on any toes. You could possibly ruin your chances with both companies and then what?

Depends on how confident you are in them needing you or how much you really want to work for either of them.

DementedReality · 08-08-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDogg

Sounds reasonable or make one company pay for the trip out. The other pays for the hotel...

it may sound reasonable on paper, but it is not something I would suggest. why would either company want to subsidize the other if they are competing for my services? if it was that simple.

DementedReality · 08-08-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOOT

Here is the question if you were in both companies shoes what would you think of it?

I personnally would just take the two trips, it sucks, but at least you aren't stepping on any toes. You could possibly ruin your chances with both companies and then what?

Depends on how confident you are in them needing you or how much you really want to work for either of them.

i think you are right. basically, if i take two trips, i have nothing to hide if the other company were to find out about the other.

so two trips to Toronto in one week here I come.

JohnnyB · 08-08-2007, 07:45 PM

Similarly unethical, but you could always coordinate with a friend from Toronto who might like a brief trip to Calgary, therby using all the tickets involved while just staying in Toronto and skipping the flights back and forth between. Of course, that really may not help your ethical dilemma.

jammies · 08-08-2007, 08:02 PM

Tell them both you'll pay for the trip yourself, as long as they pony up on the entertainment front for the always-popular, ever-welcome, hookers and blow.

corporatejay · 08-08-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

Similarly unethical, but you could always coordinate with a friend from Toronto who might like a brief trip to Calgary, therby using all the tickets involved while just staying in Toronto and skipping the flights back and forth between. Of course, that really may not help your ethical dilemma.

??? how would you do that? electronic tickets require id.

CaptainCrunch · 08-08-2007, 08:30 PM

Why don't you just try to arrange for both interviews on the same day, and be honest with both companies.

It'll make you look more desirable if you have multiple options.

DementedReality · 08-08-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Why don't you just try to arrange for both interviews on the same day, and be honest with both companies.

It'll make you look more desirable if you have multiple options.

sure, but who pays for the airfare? i cant tell the one who has already booked a ticket that i would like to meet with someone else while I am there.

its just an akward situation. i already feel a little bad knowing one of these firms will paying for the trip for nothing because i can only work for one of them. however, no one has made me a firm offer so i have to go through with the due diligence of keeping all my options open. it wasnt my suggestion for them to pay me to travel for the interview, they both want me to see their head quarters so they made the suggestion.

sadora · 08-08-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madman

It might suck, but I'd take two trips to make certain you don't step on any toes.

Like you say, you could end up not getting either job so, as inconvenient as it is I think you should just bite the bullet and make the double trek. Best of luck with your interview!

Resolute 14 · 08-08-2007, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DementedReality

sure, but who pays for the airfare? i cant tell the one who has already booked a ticket that i would like to meet with someone else while I am there.

its just an akward situation. i already feel a little bad knowing one of these firms will paying for the trip for nothing because i can only work for one of them. however, no one has made me a firm offer so i have to go through with the due diligence of keeping all my options open. it wasnt my suggestion for them to pay me to travel for the interview, they both want me to see their head quarters so they made the suggestion.

Dont feel bad. These companies know they are competing for people, and if you are in a field desirable enough to warrant a paid trip to Toronto, they will know full well that they arent the only company seeking you.

I_H8_Crawford · 08-08-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sadora

Like you say, you could end up not getting either job so, as inconvenient as it is I think you should just bite the bullet and make the double trek. Best of luck with your interview!

Yep, that sounds like the best way.

Just make sure you are getting your aeroplan/air miles!!!

Flames89 · 08-09-2007, 05:39 AM

Meh.

I would take a trip out on one company's expense, I would pick it by the first company that offers. Then let the other company know that I will be in the area around that time.

Big deal if you are making one company pay, while the other lucks out while you are there - that is just the way convenience works. Further, it is not like you are making a person pay from their own pay cheque. They are likely to pay that much hiring someone else.

Finally, I don't know your feelings on beaurocracy, but your plan for two trips is completely inefficient. Don't apologize for efficiency.

zukes · 08-09-2007, 05:59 AM

I agree, one company can pay, the only problem being if they book specific flights for you, i.e. in to Toronto Monday morning, home to Calgary Tuesday morning and your next interview is on Thursday.

If you can book the interviews within the flight times, I don't think it matters who pays, just tell the other company that you will bein the area anyway.

ken0042 · 08-09-2007, 07:36 AM

Book both flights, get your tickets, and call the airline to cancel the two middle flights. You may or may not get a credit back, but you save yourself 10 hours of flying/airport time.

It won't save the companies any money, but will save you time. I agree with what others have said; don't take chances on blowing it. They may have two almost identical candidates, and if they think they have a better chance with the other guy, he may get the offer. The only way I'd tell them is if you are applying for a position of extreme financial responsibility; and saving money on the interview would win you points.

Flames89 · 08-09-2007, 08:10 AM

If the job would require you to move to TO. Then I would look at tickets beforehand, then suggest the cheapest flying times (within reason - you shouldn't have to be taking a red-eye home). If they even inquire why you are staying more than one night, inform them that you are really interested in the position and want to visit with friends in the city, get to know it, etc.

Telling a white lie is one thing. Telling a white lie that wastes $$$ and time is another.

DementedReality · 08-09-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Companies will easliy pay $30k-$40k to a recruiting firm to hire someone and with your experience that would not be out of the question. Its not really that big of a deal.

What is wrong with telling them the situation and asking them how you should manage it to be the most fair to both parties. Split the cost in two?

I can't see why a company would be peeved that you have another interview and if they are, they should go eat some serious dung. Just say you are being upfront about this because you cannot in good conscience, be any other way.

Remember, you are interviewing them as well. It is a big thing to move across the country and if either one is dickheads when you try to be honest, save money and be efficient, then that will help you weed out the lesser company.

thanks Fotze and the others ..

i hav no trouble telling the other firm i have other interviews or even that I travelled to Toronto already once for an interview. I just wanted to see if I was being overly sensitive to interviewing with one company on another companies dime. My feelings are if I have to lie about something I shouldnt be doing it and I just dont think I could bring myself to tell company A I met with Company B on their dime.