Confusion about job interview

SDN Members don't see this ad. (About Ads)

Hi guys! I need your advice. I got called for an interview today, but the store I have the interview at is 7 and 1/2 hours away from my house. I don't know what's the best way to approach this problem. I don't know anyone who lives in that city or anywhere nearby. Do you think it would look bad if I told the interviewer that the drive is too long and request if he can meet me somewhere closer, maybe half way? I just don't want to make any bad 1st impressions, before even meeting the interviewer. Have you guys ever been in this situation? If so, how did you handle it or how do you suggest I handle it?

Any advice is highly appreciated!!! Thank You!

Meet you half way?! LOL you want me to drive 3 hours to interview a pharmacy tech? That's outrageous. Get real, kid.

Isn't this for a pharmacist job?

I'd consider booking a hotel and looking into how much flights cost if it would be cheaper that way.

No. It's for a pharmacist's interview. If not meet half way, could they arrange it with another interviewer closer to my house? Or, do they pay for travel expenses?

All I'm requesting is advice on how to approach this problem. I just don't know how people who are in my situation have handled this situation in the past.

Originally Posted by shahj3

No. It's for a pharmacist's interview. If not meet half way, could they arrange it with another interviewer closer to my house? Or, do they pay for travel expenses?

All I'm requesting is advice on how to approach this problem. I just don't know how people who are in my situation have handled this situation in the past.

I'm trying really hard not to be obnoxious here and make dumb comments.

If this is a serious question the following applies:
You go to priceline.com and book a hotel for the night before.
You get into your automobile and drive to the site the night before, stay in the forementioned hotel and enjoy your night.
You shower and go to the interview. You drive home afterwards. Stop at a gas station and change out of your suit and into comfy clothes for the drive home.
You do not complain that the job you applied for is 8 hours away.
You do not ask to be reimbursed.
You do not cause scenes or ask to be interviewed by someone else. If you ask these things you will not get the job.

Thank You crazybob. You are the only one who took my question seriously, without making any smart comments or judging me. Yes, my question may have been silly, but it was an honest attempt to ask for advice. Thanks again!

Just FYI, awval gave great advice. If you make it seem like being interviewed is an inconvenience, why would they think you are going to work out as an employee?

Good point owlegrad. Thanks!

Originally Posted by shahj3

Good point owlegrad. Thanks!

Well, in fairness, 8 hr isn't exactly what most people would consider to be regular driving distance. Companies prepared to hiring a $100k+ employee ($140k+ with all the cost and benefits), will typically paid for a long distance trip to do onsite interview. They might do a telephone /teleconference one before that to not waste money on weaker candidates.

I would go anyway just to explore where I might be living. I agree with the above though- this is for your career. You shouldn't be put out. People drop thousands on traveling for residencies. Eight hours doesn't seem bad. Get a ticket on orbitz or just drive.

Are you guys from Michigan? Have you heard about a city called Escanaba, a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My next concern is that it sounds like a very small city (with no major cities close to it). It would probably be really boring to live there, don't you think?

Originally Posted by shahj3

Are you guys from Michigan? Have you heard about a city called Escanaba, a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My next concern is that it sounds like a very small city (with no major cities close to it). It would probably be really boring to live there, don't you think?

wherever you go you take yourself with you

Haha good one joetrisman!

I know of Escanaba, MI. It is a small town. There is a Walgreens there and it is in Green Bay district. So, when someone calls out, they always have trouble finding pharmacists to cover, because it is the only MI store in the district.

Originally Posted by joetrisman

wherever you go you take yourself with you

It is fairly rare to get travel expenses paid for staffing jobs (both retail and hospital). I've only ever had travel expenses paid for clinical specialist or faculty positions.

Originally Posted by shahj3

Are you guys from Michigan? Have you heard about a city called Escanaba, a city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My next concern is that it sounds like a very small city (with no major cities close to it). It would probably be really boring to live there, don't you think?

Check out the movie Escanaba in da Moonlight. Lol. I'm sure that will convince you to live there.

Its as simple as asking the person who set up the interview not the interviewer the question "is there a travel reimbursement for the interview and if so what does it cover?"

As a grown up professional, you can't ask this simple question?

Originally Posted by Its Z

Its as simple as asking the person who set up the interview not the interviewer the question "is there a travel reimbursement for the interview and if so what does it cover?"

As a grown up professional, you can't ask this simple question?

This might be the first real job interview most recent grad had. I would hazard to guess most of grads never held a real professional job before. They are probably drawing upon the experience from interviewing at local jobs or internships. Such is the result of a high school to pharm.d course.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I had one other interview, but it was not for a store that is in the middle of nowhere. You are right, driving 8 hrs for an interview is not the hardest thing in the world. But now I'm concerned whether my mom and I could live at a city that is in the middle of nowhere. I know it's hard to find a job in this economy, but I really dont want to take any "left-over jobs. If you were in my place, what would you do? If I were to cancel the interview, what do you think I should say as my reason for doing so?

Originally Posted by xiphoid2010

This might be the first real job interview most recent grad had. I would hazard to guess most of grads never held a real professional job before. They are probably drawing upon the experience from interviewing at local jobs or internships. Such is the result of a high school to pharm.d course.

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I had one other interview, but it was not for a store that is in the middle of nowhere. You are right, driving 8 hrs for an interview is not the hardest thing in the world. But now I'm concerned whether my mom and I could live at a city that is in the middle of nowhere. I know it's hard to find a job in this economy, but I really dont want to take any "left-over jobs. If you were in my place, what would you do? If I were to cancel the interview, what do you think I should say as my reason for doing so

Originally Posted by genesis09

I know of Escanaba, MI. It is a small town. There is a Walgreens there and it is in Green Bay district. So, when someone calls out, they always have trouble finding pharmacists to cover, because it is the only MI store in the district.

So, based on that, are you saying that it's not worth working in a city like that?

Originally Posted by shahj3

So, based on that, are you saying that it's not worth working in a city like that?

The city is not terribly far from Green Bay. However, Green Bay is in Wisconsin. Most other pharmacists do not have a Michigan license. So, it is harder for them to find someone. Make sure your car has a block heater and have a pair of cross country skies, just in case.

Originally Posted by genesis09

The city is not terribly far from Green Bay. However, Green Bay is in Wisconsin. Most other pharmacists do not have a Michigan license. So, it is harder for them to find someone. Make sure your car has a block heater and have a pair of cross country skies, just in case.

Holy smoke, it is in Michigan. Well, I lived in Michigan for 8 years and never heard of that place, so I guess that should tell you something. It's in the upper peninsula, there is pretty nothing there, that's why. Greenbay according to the map is still a good 2 hr drive away, abbout the same disance to the touristy Mackinaw city, Mi. I would seriously consider if small town living is tolerable before moving there.

Originally Posted by xiphoid2010

Holy smoke, it is in Michigan. Well, I lived in Michigan for 8 years and never heard of that place, so I guess that should tell you something. It's in the upper peninsula, there is pretty nothing there, that's why. Greenbay according to the map is still a good 2 hr drive away, abbout the same disance to the touristy Mackinaw city, Mi. I would seriously consider if small town living is tolerable before moving there.

Yeah, Now I am kind of leaning towards that way as well. I just trying to figure out how to say no to the interviewer, without leaving any bad impressions. Do you think I could just say that "after researching more about that location, I think it is not a suitable location for me." I want to apply to other stores of that chain in Michigan, so I really need to make sure I don't make a bad impression. Or do you think I need to say something else? Thanks once again for all your help and suggestions!

Originally Posted by genesis09

The city is not terribly far from Green Bay. However, Green Bay is in Wisconsin. Most other pharmacists do not have a Michigan license. So, it is harder for them to find someone. Make sure your car has a block heater and have a pair of cross country skies, just in case.

Hmm I think it might be better for me to try elsewhere. Thank you for telling me more about that area and helping me figure out whether or not it is right for me

Originally Posted by shahj3

Hmm I think it might be better for me to try elsewhere. Thank you for telling me more about that area and helping me figure out whether or not it is right for me

I wouldn't be too picky if you are having difficulty finding a job. Why not use the opportunity to check out the place for yourself? Why did you apply in the first place to an area you are not familar with. Everyone has a different definition on what is a "tolerable" place to live.

1. Drive the night before.2. DO NOT cancel the interview. Pharmacy is a VERY small world. You could ruin your chances with the chain for good.3. Just because you interview and are offered a job doesn't mean you have to accept the offer. Check the job out, maybe your other options will seem even worse and you will wish you had taken the job in Escanaba.4. Accepting a job doesn't mean you have to stay there forever. I took a sign on bonus for a hospital in a city that I ended up hating. Something better came along and I gave the money back and got the hell out of there. I am much happier and the job still gave me a great start to my career

.

Originally Posted by CYP3A4

Something better came along and I gave the money back and got the hell out of there.

Another way is to resign and take the money with you... Some places don't care and don't ask the money back even if you don't complete sign on bonus period. If they do, simply give it back. I know some that ran away with $20k doing 1/2 the period 2 years ago lol...