Agency suggestion for covering interview costs

**VectraMan** · 24 May 2006, 20:01

Where's my popcorn?

**privateeye** · 24 May 2006, 20:10

You can try and get it but don't expect it as a right, after all there is enough competition around that will not be so expensive. You really need to make a call on whether you thought the telephone interview went well. The agent can equally say that at 500 a day for 6 months you can afford the cost. As a contractor you are running a business and are expected to spend on selling youself.

By all means try and get it - you have a right to negotiate. I was nr Geneva when my skills were in hot demand and agents paid the cost to get me to interview in London so it's possible but today there is not such a hot demand and clients are willing to wait.

If the agent does offer to pay get it in writing as I wouldn't trust anyone of them

**interested** · 24 May 2006, 21:32

Originally posted by Angela_D

Hi y'all,

Agency advice

I'm a .net programmer working out of Zurich on a steady contract but I don't enjoy the location so much. However I've been offered an interview in the City of London with a major bank. I insisted on a phone interview and that went well. Now they want a face to face in London.

Problem is that its gonna cost a small fortune. Day off work (which will also piss off my boss ) = a lot of lost cash. No day rate, Taxis, expensive short notice flights, maybe overnight accommo, and simply the hassle of a full travel day is not attractive at all.

The agent (who sounds like a kid and admits he's only been pimping for 3 months) initially said no way will the agency contribute anything. I'm waiting for his senior to contact me on Thursday.

If I was already based in London then of course I wouldn't dream of asking for travel costs. At 500 pounds/day for 6 months rolling I think it is worth the while of the agent to stump up stg.

Comments ?

A

Are you a temp or a business?

**DirtyOldMan** · 24 May 2006, 22:06

Hello Angela and welcome to the forum.

Now get yer kit off and let's see what you look like.

I thank you.

**privateeye** · 24 May 2006, 22:14

Originally posted by DirtyOldMan

Hello Angela and welcome to the forum.

Now get yer kit off and let's see what you look like.

I thank you.

is that he nearest you can get to the real thing

**Angela_D** · 24 May 2006, 22:32

Thanks for the 'interesting' replies.

Here's what I should have mentioned. Yes, I do think it is a little bit cheeky to ask for this. But that was provided for this current contract without me even having to ask for it so it can happen. I work with a bunch of true permies so they are useless to ask (about most things).

The phone time went pretty well I felt but I'm not sure if I want to move back to the BS of banking and London stress/commute. If the job is really sweet then I'd take it. But I don't want to invest the time/effort/cash just on a 'take a look' visit. That's why I'm asking the agency just in case I don't like what I find (or no offer) when I get there. A few interviews like that would rack up quite an expense :-(

About being a business or a temp. Well I'm closer to being a disguised employee. I have one source for over 90% of income. A manager. Tasks assigned to me. Standard office hours to keep. No right of substitution. No personal company office or marketing presence. No business cards.

Maybe I'm not being 'professional' but I would hazard a guess that at least 50% of good contractors would be also working for just one client at a time and have similar attibutes.

A

**privateeye** · 24 May 2006, 22:45

The Swiss tend to pay for interview expenses, each time I've been there they have paid or just settled for a phone interview. There is no harm in having the cheek to ask especially with that distance. If Zurich is not for you and you are doubting London why not try Geneva its a completely different culture to the German end and not so far to go.

**ClarissaG** · 25 May 2006, 00:43

Hi Angela

Personally, I would play it cool.

If the agency were that keen on me they would at least come up with a compromise e.g. We'll pay if you don't get the job, but otherwise, you pay.

If the phone interview was good but the agency areplaying hard ball, why not just talk to the client and explain the problem? Perhaos you could bypass the agency, or at least force the client tomake the agency see sense??

**The Lone Gunman** · 25 May 2006, 08:30

Being in business requires you to take risks.

This is a small financial risk. It all depends if you want to take it.
If the agency or client wont pay then you have a decision to make. Don't go or pay your own way. What is it worth to you?

To the rest of you, no names mentioned, its bad form to be frivolous and rude outside the general or light relief threads unless its a real muppet.
Sorry for being snotty but I like to keep things neat.

Agency suggestion for covering interview costs