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That way, you can put it to them this way.. Interview is on Wednesday, they plan to fly you in Tuesday.. Ask them to fly you in on Monday, you'll pay for the added hotel, and tell them that you with the airlines the way they are, if something happens and a flight is cancelled, there's a full day to make alternate arrangements.
why beat around the bush? the OP needs a day or two to check out the area and it is a totally fine and practical request. especially when it doesn't cost the company, why make stories and excuses?
OP - go ahead and ask for it without hesitation. someone in HR/logistics who is making your travel arrangements will help you. there is no way you will be turned down because you wanted to explore the neighborhood where you would potentially live and work especially on your own expense. that is a very immature statement.
I requested to fly out a few days earlier since I was worried about the potential of weather delays, as well as wanting time to get used to the time difference.
Suuuuuure you were worried about the weather Which casino did you stay at?
If an extra day was not offered for me to tour the area I always asked to rearrange the airfare to make it possible.
I would be clear and tell them that any additional expenses related to that would be my personal responsibility.
I have never had a potential employer object to that. One or two offered to pick up the tab, or told me that it would not be necessary as they would fly me out again if they offered the position.
I doubt this ever hurt my chances. Of the 6 trips I did during my most recent search I received 2 offers. One job was cancelled due to funding failure, another job went to the HM's relative, and the 5th and 6th were offered to another people who were perfectly well qualified.
Suuuuuure you were worried about the weather Which casino did you stay at?
Lol, the weather thing was true. The trip was in February and the DC area had been having an unusual number of snow storms, hell it even snowed a little last night.
I was actually interviewing at Caesars Entertainment and they put me up at the Paris
Let them know asap you want to extend to see the area on your own dime. There is down side to this. It shows them you are serious about moving there and it costs them nothing. There is a chance they might offer to pay but do not ask nor count on it.
OK, all really good points. It sounds like as long as I am upfront that all additional costs are my own and I do not expect them to pay for my extra day I should be OK.
I'm moving from the Midwest to a VERY high cost of living area, so it's definitely a concern of mine. I've been researching on this forum, too, but nothing beats seeing the place in person and experiencing the commute and so on.
I haven't yet been contacted by the HR rep/ admin/ travel department to schedule the flight, but I should hear from them soon. It sounds like this is the person I really need to speak with.
OK, all really good points. It sounds like as long as I am upfront that all additional costs are my own and I do not expect them to pay for my extra day I should be OK.
I'm moving from the Midwest to a VERY high cost of living area, so it's definitely a concern of mine. I've been researching on this forum, too, but nothing beats seeing the place in person and experiencing the commute and so on.
I haven't yet been contacted by the HR rep/ admin/ travel department to schedule the flight, but I should hear from them soon. It sounds like this is the person I really need to speak with.
One tip - if you happen to scope out possible apartments (assuming you'd be renting and not buying, at least initially)... if you have the time, try and get up early the day after the interview and do a mock commute to see just what kind of traffic you'd be living with daily.
I just wanted to update this post. I decided to go ahead and extend my stay as a personal expense. And so far it's been a total nightmare.
My interview is in Armonk NY, so I expected to fly into White Plains. I asked that I have an extra night, (personal expense), and a car rental, (personal expense). Unfortunately, the company travel person submitted everything as if I asked the company to pay for it! The hotel isn't a big deal-- the first night is paid for by the company, and the second night by me. the travel agent could not book the second night so I have to do this myself. No problem.
The car rental is the real issue. Most people just take taxis to/fro the airport, hotel, job site, and get reimbursed. Since the agent submitted the car rental as being paid for by the *company*, instead of me, the company balked, saying White Plains is too close. So instead, I get my itinerary....and I'm flying into La Guardia, instead, and expected to drive back and return the car after one day! And then, of course, drive back north for another day, and then drive back to LGA for my fight home.
Total Mess. I told the agent not to book the car if it was a problem, or if it meant I had to fly into LGA, and she ignored that too.
Lesson Learned: My own damn fault for even mentioning the car rental. I should have said nothing and booked it on my own. But, when they asked for my info, they asked me straight out: "Do you want a car rental?" And I said Yes. They didn't tell me it wasn't usually covered!!
Of course I discovered this at 5:08 PM, 8 minutes after their office closed for the day. So I have a lot of frantic phone calls to try and fix this tomorrow. The actual travel agency would not cancel the car rental without approval from the company.
Usually they ask you if you plan to come a day early or stay a day extra to get to know the area. If they don't I can't see why it would be a bad thing. It's you showing interest in the city, go for it.
Edit:
Yeah, if it's a large city I usually just catch a free shuttle to the hotel. Rental cars are only needed in large sprawling cities (LA, HOU, Miami, etc.).
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Which casino did you stay at?
