Korean Job Discussion Forums

[keninseoul]

How many of you request travel expenses when going to an interview?

I was asked to go to some darn out-of-the way spot for an interview, but things collasped when I asked if they would refund my travel expenses.

I figure if they ARE serious, it should not be a problem.

This was for a summer camp, and was told it was not in the "budget". To me that was a bad omen - if they would not consider something like travel expenses in the beginning - how much worse would it get? What else would not be in the "budget", or just disappear when covenient for them?

[plattwaz]

Personally, I think that asking for interview expenses is a little out-of-the-ordinary, and I wouldn't expect a company hiring me to reimburse me.

For example, when I was a Recruiting and HR Manager for a fairly large corporation back home, we would OCCASSIONALLY offer travel expenses to the successful candidate if it was a high-level position that we were paying. Recruiting a new bookkeeping clerk or juniour accountant who had to spend $5 in gas money or taxi fare to come to the interview never happened. When looking for a new Sales Team Manager who had to fly from Toronto to Ottawa to interview with us....then yes, the expenses were reimbursed.

Additionally, this was something that was always stipulated PRIOR to the interview, when arranging a meeting time and place.

So, thinking of it from that way, I would never expect an educational institue to pay my travel expenses for an interivew....a train from Seoul to Busan is only 50,000 ....

[captain kirk]

I get the impression from two interviews where I asked for inter-city bus fare/gas money that it's not customary. It's not cool but whatever. Looking for a job 'aint a blast, anyway. Flipping them the bird relieves jobsearch stress.

On a positive note if you're bombing across the country to check out a job you're heading there getting stoked on the way, they'll be impressed you made the effort/seem so on target with all your 'Greyhound momentum', and you'll probably get the job.

[just because]

I thought this was a joke until i realized the Op was serious...

Do you really think they would pay you a travel expense to go to an interview...

In any country they never would except if it was for a high level skilled position or in some unique niche that it is impossible to find anyone.....you fall into neither category

Perhaps if you were succesful they would reimberse you in a different line of work later but for a summer camp i think your standards are a little too high...

[Mr. Literal]

[jajdude]

Well, if the trip was from Seoul to Pusan for an interview.... hey, that ain't real cheap.

[Homer]

Interview expenses?

You gotta be kidding.

Good luck.

[keninseoul]

It's curious that most do not ask, nor even consider a request for reimbursement.

The summer camp director, I was talking to, said it was an entirely reasonable request - he is Korean, but it was just not in the budget.

Agents, previously, have said it is expected - it reflects badly on the school if they do not offer. Afterall you are going to them, and spending your time.

If you do not value your time and expenses, then who will ?

[FUBAR]

I've been reimbursed the few times I went to interviews a few hours away. Both of them gave me envelopes and told me to sign for them. I never asked for the school to pay me. It makes a bad impression in my opinion.