The Long Distance Interview

If you're applying for job outside your home area, a long distance interview might be in your future.

In this case, you might find yourself being flown in for a job interview which leads to a whole set of things you need to consider beyond the actual interview itself.

If a company that is located in an area that is far enough from your home that you'd need to be flown in for an interview decides to interview you face to face, the company is most likely going to foot the bill and pay for your trip.

I haven't personally seen an example where a company refused to pay or didn't offer to pay but I suspect it happens.

You'll need to decide for yourself if you really want to work for a company that wants to interview you, but at your expense.

Planning a trip to another city/state/country (depending on the situation) can obviously wreak havoc on your personal life especially if you're currently employed and/or have a family that you need to think about.

Some flexibility might be required on your part if you have to juggle things to fit the long distance interview in.

In my experience, when companies fly in a person for an interview, they tend to try to do everything on one trip. In other words, you could be very busy interviewing with and meeting with a number of people as opposed to having several separate interviews if the company was located near where you live.

Of course this also means that you have to ensure that you get all your questions asked and form a solid understanding that this is the job you want and that this is the company you want to work for and that they are located in a city you want to relocate to.

When it comes to interviewing for a job that would involve you relocating from where you live currently, you'll also need to consider the extent to which the employer is willing to help you with moving expenses, house hunting and things of that nature.

Of course, there could also be the dilemma where you find out that you like the job but not the city or vice versa.