Interview Distance

[Sausage Surprise]

I drove from Sunderland to Maidstone and back in a day. Got me the gig too.

[TriggerHippy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've also contracted abroad and, until now, always been offered the post after a telephone interview and/or CV. I wasn't sure if this was a new trend creeping in - kind of another way of filtering out the dross (anyone with "enhanced" skills would most likely bail when facing this kind of expense, so the client only get the really serious candidates??). I think I'll get back to the agent with the reimbursement proposal....

Then again .... the last offer (for a 3 month gig) I had two months ago was conditional on receipt and verification of the following: 8 employer references, 1 bank reference, 1 police background check, 1 credit report, certified copies of all educational certificates, passport details and certificate of indemnity cover for £10 million, so maybe this isn't that unrealistic a request.

[Turion]

Completely unreasonable to expect you to stump up the cost.
If they want you, they should pay you. After all, the travel cost is small compared to what they have to pay you in total and they are dragging their feet after 2 interviews.

2 interviews means they want you and they will pay.....

Look at it like this. If you fail to get the gig, you'll feel mighty p*ssed that you had to pay for the pleasure. If they don't want to pay, they they ain't serious about you anyway.

Be careful that it isn't the agency telling you BS.

Anyway, this "I'm a company" lark can go too far at times. Anyone who expects you to pay at risk, is someone you should be wary of working for.

WHS++. Don't waste your time and money. They are seriously peeing you about. My guess is that they're now looking for a negative after not finding one during 2 phone interviews. You've done quite enough and if the agent had confidence he would stump up. All my overseas gigs were from 1 phone interviews or on spec from CV. FFS they can bin a contractor very quickly if needed.

[Ivor Bigun]

Hi,

I've recently had lengthy 2 phone interviews for a contract in Switzerland and the potential client now wants a face-to-face meeting, hopefully before making an offer.

I've mentioned something to the agent, but they don't seem too keen to approach the client, so it looks like I could be quite a bit out-of-pocket if this goes south.

Anyone have ideas on how best to deal with this?

Completely unreasonable to expect you to stump up the cost.
If they want you, they should pay you. After all, the travel cost is small compared to what they have to pay you in total and they are dragging their feet after 2 interviews.

2 interviews means they want you and they will pay.....

Look at it like this. If you fail to get the gig, you'll feel mighty p*ssed that you had to pay for the pleasure. If they don't want to pay, they they ain't serious about you anyway.

Be careful that it isn't the agency telling you BS.

Anyway, this "I'm a company" lark can go too far at times. Anyone who expects you to pay at risk, is someone you should be wary of working for.

[scooterscot]

I've flown out to European destinations for similar reasons, the client was impressed I made the effort and a face to face gave me the change to express myself. I look back on it now and think, did I really do that? Experiences like this is what makes contracting fun, and who knows you may even get a job.

[NotAllThere]

Only you can decide whether the risk is worth it. If you decide it isn't, then you could suggest that the agency/client pays for the trip, and if you are offered the contract and turn it down, you'll reimburse them.

You could use it as an opportunity to have a weekend break in Switzerland.

Depending where you live, and where the contract is, there is now a TGV from Paris to Basel, that takes just over 3 hours. My parents have done the trip from Brighton, via Eurostar, for less than £100 return.

[TriggerHippy]

Hi,

I've recently had lengthy 2 phone interviews for a contract in Switzerland and the potential client now wants a face-to-face meeting, hopefully before making an offer.
I'm just wondering what people consider "reasonable" travel costs. A quick scan of the airlines puts the cost of this trip around £400 - £500, partly because it calls for an overnight stay and a lengthy train journey - there's only one flight a day from the closest airport to me.

I've mentioned something to the agent, but they don't seem too keen to approach the client, so it looks like I could be quite a bit out-of-pocket if this goes south.

Anyone have ideas on how best to deal with this?