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I got invited for a interview for a state government agency in Oklahoma. I asked if they could accomadate phone or skype interview since I am out of state and they said only in person. Salary for the position is $35000. it would cost $600 for a round trip plane ride there. then if the interview is passed there is a second in person interview. Do you think it is worth it to pay out of pocket to go to this interview?. They said they have a 'good' applicant pool and I would be considered entry level. Thanks in advance
i wouldn't do it, personally. but it's a really personal choice based on your finances, the feasibility of moving for this job (and whether you want to) and your assessment of your chances. the fact that they said they have a good applicant pool and you'd be considered entry level would make me nervous. it sounds like they might be obligated to interview all qualified applicants (which is common in government) and it's possible that the person you talked to was trying to warn you not to spend the time and money traveling.
usually i think any interview is worth it, for the practice if nothing else, but adding in expensive travel is a big negative.
I would not. Every time I've traveled for an interview, the company paid for my expenses. They also mentioned that they "have a good applicant pool", so I would pass...
I would not go if they were not willing to pay my expenses. I have almost always had phone interviews before traveling for an in-person interview (and all of my expenses were paid for travel).
Thanks I appreciate the replies. The min qualifications for the job was a bachelor's degree with appropriate coursework and no experience requirement, but I am guessing they got people with masters and doctors and years of experience and do not have problem finding locals since skype or phone is not an option. Most government agencies I interviewed with before did skype or phone since I was out of town.
I was leaning towards not going but thinking of asking the HR how many locals to out of town people are being interviewed first. They did say that not everyone who was eligible was invited for interview though
I would lean towards no, but also say that it depends. What do you make now - is 35K a significant jump? Would the job involve a major increase in responsibility? Do you have a serious desire to live in Oklahoma? Is there any chance they would fly you for the second interview?
If there aren't a lot of yeses to the above questions, then I would skip it.
It depends on how much money you have...and whether you really need this job or really want this job.
If $600 won't break the bank and if you really want to move to OK badly or if you really want this job, then you might want to spend the money and go to the interview.
Do you feel you are a very qualified candidate? If so, then I would consider going. How important is that $600 to you?
Will you get to explore OK on the same trip? If you are applying to other jobs in that area, then a visit could come in handy for exploration of the area - such as to see what areas you might want to live.
Job hunting trips are tax deductible if you meet the threshhold.
I've been burned doing that before. I've vowed never to pay significantly for an interview again. If they are not paying your expenses they aren't that interested in you.
and do not have problem finding locals since skype or phone is not an option. Most government agencies I interviewed with before did skype or phone since I was out of
This has not always been my experience. I've encountered government jobs where you had to appear in person not because they were trying to be discouraging to out of state applicants on purpose, but because their policy involves treating everyone equally and reviewing all applicants on the same level.
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