Pay For an Interview?
 

I have been invited to attend an interview but I have to provide my own travel and accommodation. In other interviews in the past, for my present job, I had all expenses paid. Am I crazy to go and spend my own money for an interview, or how common is this? Am I just being cheap? Seems a lot of money for them to maybe just say 'no.':{

In my humble opinion they have given you an interview, it isn't their problem where you live, it's not their fault where you live either, so why should they stump up the expenses?
As to whether you say no or not is down to your own personal circumstance, are you a 200hr wannabe that is desperate for his 1st job? if so it's a complete no brainer.

Standard practice in Australia, especially Qantas where you also have to fork out couple hundered dollars for psych testing as well as accom and air fare :ugh:

Thank you Deanno - should have made this a poll! I am definitely not a wannabe.

Guessing your other just was non-aviation.

I'm in a specialised area of IT and have had business class tickets, 5 star accomodation and car hire paid for just to get to an interview, but that is because there aren't so many people with the qualifications and experience I have in IT, whereas aviation is a little different.

Not to mention the fact that many people WILL pay for it themselves, so why incur the extra cost when the next person will pay for it?

Aviation is unique, name me one other profession where people are willing to pay for experience?
I used to work on tourist boats and know that everyone on the bridge worked their way up to their qualifications and didn't buy the sea time required to attain the next level.

(Sorry to go off on a tangent here)

Sadly this is very common in aviation, I guess it depends how much you need the job? If you are in a position to tell them that they must pay for the expenses then do it, otherwise you're just going to have to grin and bear it. :(

This is very common in all professions the company i work for expected me to pay for all accom travel etc but i could claim back if I got the job!!! weird

XS - if you don't mind me asking what kind of distance is involved here?

I guess if the job was worth the outlay of cash then you would just have to bite the bullet (i.e. a CX interview back east) but yeah this industry is a joke when it comes to things like this...

I think CX pay for travel and accommodation. :p

A few years ago, virtually all airlines would help out with expenses, even give you tickets on their own airlines or one of their code share partners etc. accom was usually up to you though depending on how far you had to travel I suppose.

I interviewed with Atlas Jet early on this year and I had to fork out for my own hotel/ flights to from Istanbul etc. The Sim was paid for by them but nothing too tricky if you had done your home work.

As an earlier poster has mentioned already, you have already been "Interviewed" by them, obviously without you realising it. These sort of interviews are unusual in UK ( but do happen) normally over the phone but these days also over the Internet too!

It depends who you are considering going to work for and the distance involved really. Sounds like providing you don't "Disgrace" yourself, you should be OK. I nearly went to Atlas Jet but had a better offer a few months later whilst I was awaiting Work permits/Visa and things.
Had I not had the other offer I would have certainly gone to JED with Atlas. A friend of mine decided to go with his family and he is really enjoying a different way of life for a couple of years.

This Life /Career is what you make of it or not, as the case may be. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made in the short term for a longer end game.

Good luck on what ever you decide to do.:ok:

BR.

Am I crazy to go and spend my own money for an interview?

Yes.

You're applying to an airline for heavens sake. Not a bank or some other non-transportation focussed field. Plus you're applying as a pilot. I thought there was such a thing as professional courtesy?:ugh:

I don't know about applying for SO or FO for Cx, but I know they don't pay for the Cadet Program...

Paying for an interview - get used to it....
 

Im a retired Capt from one of the main lines working as a recuriter for Politiri Aviation and our Contract Flight crew operations. I can tell you that carriers used to cough up good coin to get you to an interview, but very seldom anymore. There are a hell of a lot more pilots available now than there was 10 years ago and in some areas of the world rates are dropping because guys are bidding on jobs.

Like most other HR firms, we charge you to come to a central point for an interview - but remember, you have already been pre selected at that point - the interview is for a face to face ON CAMERA as well as a security and background check. And, at the end of the interview, we usually give you cash towards your expenses.

Believe me when I tell you, I have been on both sides of the table and the interviews are not money makers. Fact of the matter is, it is common now a days, but if they dont give you a STIPEND towards your costs, dont go to the interview.

There has to be a big difference between what it would cost you to go to their interview and what the airline would pay for you - tickets on their own service or ID tickets on a codeshare/arrangement if they have one, crew rates for Hotac, etc. Whatever about covering all your costs, surely if the airline aren't arsed in assisting and making it cheaper for you by booking you into a hotel at crew rates minimum, what does that tell you about them? If the costs to you are small, suck it up if you want the job - if they're large, you're hardly being cheeky asking them if they can get you an ID ticket or book the hotel for you at their reduced rates?

Equally, anyone who insists on business class tickets and 5 star Hotac to do an interview is living on another planet, unless they're very valuable or flying a hell of a long way or doing an interview in a not-so-nice country.

Really don't understand what the fuss is about, as a poster said earlier on the thread it's not the fault of the airline in question if you live a long distance from them.

Did the airline approach you initially for the job out of the blue for the job or did you approach them and apply for the job??

I know that some pilots have a reputation for being money grabbing and cosseted, this merely reinforces the impression.

I was going to post this anyways, but now seems an appropriate time.
Got an e-mail from a old mate back in Canada yesterday, simply said;
Xsbank; I would say that if your experienced, and I'm guessing you are, I would broach it with the airline and ask them are they willing to reimburse, or pay up front for travel costs. You can tell them that this is the first time you've been expected to pay for this kind of stuff. If they say, no, then it depends on how badly you want it. Can't hurt to ask though !!
Read the article above posted in the Globe and Mail, it might make you a bit more forthright ;-)
Mind you , we all know these articles are wildly inaccurate, but then again there may be some truth in it !!
What I'd like to know is ;
Which frickn airline is he talking about ?? Sounds to me like a tad over egged !!
Cheers,
CG.:hmm:

That is reasonably acurate for starting Jet salaries of UK and Irish operators. If fact a little on the low side for some.

BR.

You might be interested to know that in Germany (if it hasn't changed) a prospective employer is required to pay for your travel costs to attend an interview. IIRC it was even specified how you should travel (2nd class rail), etc.

As mentioned by someone else, in my area of work nobody would dream of asking you to travel at your own expense. I believe that is also the case in every other job requiring minimally qualified people.

Aer Lingus
 

BR - you're quite right. Just checked ppjn adn indeed 57k Euro seems to about the starting salary !

CG

I would think it should depend on who's employing. For example, when I was interviewed, the costs of airfare were paid. The interviews took place on an Island, so the chances of local applicants were very slim, and jobs were for all over the UK. Luckily, it was a day trip, but you could select which gateway to fly in from, but had to make your own way there.

BA doesn't pay, but then you are interviewed in London for a London based job. Stands to reason, you would most likely need to be London domiciled or capable of that to fit in, so why should they pay. In a similar vein, Cathay employs a lot of Ex-Pats, and as the pool of these are not sat in Hong Kong already, expecting them to stump up to fly there is a little unreasonable.

Now paying to have a CV accepted is taking the mickey, but I only know of one company that stoops that low.....

xsbank,

Welcome to the prostituting world of commercial flying. :uhoh:

Those with the shortest skirts will often win the day. :yuk:

It's a supply vs. demand issue; current & qualified on type vs. not so qualified or wannabe.

Many years ago I got an offer to fly the Hadj; having been current and qualified on type; I was hired over the phone. Roundtrip transportation and hotel was provided next day; the "interview" was just an acquaintance session. :rolleyes:

years ago, hired on the phone :"can you be here monday?", now we have to pay for type rating, interview, and even hours on type(ATLAS JET, INDIGO,...).
I think it 's the only market which tries to suck all your money and blood!

Pay For an Interview?
 

'Should have made this a poll! I am definitely not a wannabe.'

Maybe my reply to this thread is late, but here goes: they must have been interested in you to ask you to come for an interview. Therefore the least that they can do is reimburse reasonable travel expenses. You, in turn, are probably using a day of your leave entitlement to attend the interview. Regardless, if they are not prepared to at least pay expenses give them a miss.

I kind of go along with what Rich66 is saying too !

I don't know which airline has called you for interview, but, in other industries, e.g. engineering, if you start getting messed around at interview stage you have to ask 'Do I really want to work for these people ?'. Same to be said about the interviewer. I've met one or two and thought, 'Do I really want to work for this tosser?'

Anecdotally, in some of these instances, I've known other people who either got the job, took the job, or went to work for XYZ later on. They all told me what Mr.X or company XYZ were live to work for and confirmed my suspicions ! Toss !!

CG

reasonable cost for jobs
 

Is it reasonable to pay for travel or interview etc? I am with a proffessional recruitment firm we do not charge fees to pilots. The answer is quite simple is it justifiable to you the individual? Thats it. I personally do not and would pay as there are always other choices out there. If the potential employer is cheap from the get go it follows that they will be that way in the future, is that where you want to work. The recruitment firms usually charge 10 to 30 % of 1st years salary and they usually pass incidental costs on to the employer. Tell them to ge t stuffed.

easy to say when you have a job!

xs - did you go?

paying for an interview or paying to fly is not exactly what I call a job...

work your way up the ladder...don't buy it...many futur colleagues and recruiters will give you a hard time if you go down that route...

when you start paying, there's no end...first type, first 500Hrs, second type, upgrade...

As Glueball said, it's down to supply and demand and your unique skills.

I've been offered jobs over the telephone without an interview, basically " When can you start we are desperate" and also had to jump through the hoops, sim, interview, trick cyclist.

When it was the "please start tomorrow" they were more than happy to pay because the relative cost of an air ticket and accom was less than having a non op jet.

When it was jumping through hoops it was all paid for by yours truly.

No Pay
 

Pay for travel to an interview and the ride is not a serious offer. If you are successfull applicant, it will be reimbursed, prevents Airlines from getting people who want to see a exotic place for 2 or 3 days...

Serious Airllines offer you a transportation in from one of theire Airports they fly to next to your residence. From the residence to the Airport is your expense. You live in ALC but they fly to MAD or BCN then you have to settle the trip to MAD/BCN and the rest is on them.

If I would have to buy a Ticket from them to fly to XYZ then I would rather think they want to increase the payload and not the number of Employees.

But I am sure there a people out who pay to fly and get expirience. So they pay for to get the work as well and wait until the big bucks are flushing. That time is over I believe.

Fly safe and land happy


NG

If you really want it.
 

Then you have to spend it.

I spent 250£ for a flight back and forth and two days accomodation.

The only bits I needn't pay for were the tests.


I have now a company who is paying for the flight back and forth.


1/60

By all means, I would love to be reimbursed by the company offering me an interview, but on the other hand; in this day and age of airlines, think about the possibility that IF they were obligated to pay for all expenses, wouldn't they start looking for candidates near the location of the interview just to save a buck or two? So then you would be discriminated for living far away from your potential new employer!

I think it's fare that if you apply for a job, you see to it that you make your way to the interview. If you look at the potential employer as a long term commitment and not a stepping stone, the chances of employment should be worth paying for the travel and accomodation.

This really is a no-brainer compared to paying for type rating/line training and/or half-pay until base check etc...... THAT'S where the REAL scam is taking place....!

/glider

I once flew from San Francisco, CA to San Salvador, El Salvador for an interview with TACA. I was beyond excited at the possibility of flying an Airbus. Turns out they wanted to interview me for an engineer position in their Aeroman aircraft maintenance facility. It was a $900 round trip ticket. The worst part is that they have a direct flight from SFO to San Salvador on which, even after I asked, they did not offer to get me on. This is obviously an extremely crappy situation, but things like this do happen.

My other concern is that if they are not paying anything to interview you, the selection process may not be as rigorous. They will probably invite ten times more people than what they really need. You will make your way across the world just to find out you just "sort of" fit the profile.

rcl

To me, paying towards the interview per se is sickening (Ryanair).

Paying for accomodation, transportation, restaurant and so on is absolutely standard. Interviews for Air France take 2 days. We all paid for hotac, train/airplane, etc...which I find is normal and fair. That is also the case in any industry when you're trying to knock down a deal on a job somewhere else. As someone mentionned earlier, it is not their fault if you live elsewhere.

That may be normal practice in many cheap companies (although it surprises me that AF is the same).

I never paid for an interview EVER, and this is my 4th company that I'm working for. After having been hired, I always had my expenses reimbursed if there were any.

True, you may have to pay for your own traveling costs to get to the interview, and for the hotel as well. But even that should normally be provided by the company. Respectable airlines will do so.
Think of it this way: If they are interested in you, after you have submitted your CV and papers, then it is their invitation.
Unless, of course, you consider yourself being so lucky to having gotten their attention in the first place, in which case you should kiss their a$$ and pay them money.

The problem is, that during times like these, you don't really have much choice if you're out of a job. Airlines take advantage of that. :yuk:

I'll be honest with you: If I were desperate, I would probably do the same thing.

But it ain't right. :ugh: