Getting Paid for Going to Interviews

[rainman306]

Unfortunately, I am back on the job market and going through the job search process and interviewing again.

I am 30, and I remember when I first got out of college getting paid a check by the employer I interviewed with for my gas mileage from my home to and from the interview and even once a payment for a nights hotel even though I did not really stay overnight for interview 4 hours away.  The checks were often over $100 and even as much as $300+.

Does anyone else remember getting paid mileage to an interview.  It seems no employers are doing this anymore.

[kapeh12]

I can't say I ever was paid to go to an interview, but then again all mine were local so I wouldn't have expected any payment.  I have heard of travel reimbursement for interviews if one is required to travel over state lines to an in-person interview.  Typically the company would let you know they would reimburse you.

You might want to check tax laws these days - I vaguely recall that there is a way to claim travel expenses for interviews on taxes now.  If you are traveling for that reason, I suggest keeping your receipts and checking with a tax preparer to see if you can get your reimbursement that way?

[dancer139]

wow I don't ever remember getting paid for going to interviews     Guess I'm to old lol

[hawkeye3210]

Employers reimbursing travel expenses is all part of the recruiting process for college kids. Doesn't happen too frequently outside of that.

[6265AT99]

Unfortunately, I am back on the job market and going through the job search process and interviewing again.

I am 30, and I remember when I first got out of college getting paid a check by the employer I interviewed with for my gas mileage from my home to and from the interview and even once a payment for a nights hotel even though I did not really stay overnight for interview 4 hours away.  The checks were often over $100 and even as much as $300+.

Does anyone else remember getting paid mileage to an interview.  It seems no employers are doing this anymore.

Well, I never had such a wonderful thing happen to me but, one thing I do know, today you have to be lucky to GET PAID for THE WORK YOU DO let alone for interviewing!!!!  Seems like nobody really cares whether or not you have gas money to go to interviews today.  Wish you luck and hope you find work soon!!!!

[natashaspy]

wow I've not only not seen it, but have never even heard of that.  not surprising it doesn't happen, way too many people looking for work now to be paid to interview!~

[rainman306]

I was already graduated from college and already working but was looking for a more skilled better paying accounting job.  This was in the 2005 to 2006 timeframe and I had a great education and good resume, but not much experience so I got interviews but not too many offers.

Anyway, I would guess I had at least 7-8 employers pay me mileage and even once hotel for me to commute for an interview.  But now it never happens at all and thought maybe it was discontinued because of the eoncomy of something.

[madeara]

I have gone to many interviews.  I don't recall ever being paid for going to interviews.  I am 35.

[jmccaskill]

I have only had experience with an employer covering the expenses of attending an interview, and that was after the field of prospects was culled out by about 90%. In my case the final selection interviews were done in NYC, and they covered the flights, hotels, and a generous per diem for meals and entertainment for the week required. All in all I guesstimate these costs were over 2K for each candidate... prohibitive for most prospects I am sure but a small tax deductible expense for the company seeking the best people.

[CHANEYLAKEGIRL]

Nope.  I never got paid for going to an interview.

[erinelise2]

Nope, never paid for an interview either.  I think you would have to be really sought after in a very competitive field these days for that to happen.

[davidf938]

What planet are you from and how do I get there?

[lvstephanie]

It's more common during better economic times when the number of applicants (esp. those most suitable for the job) are fairly low, causing the companies to try harder to get you to work for them. Also they only do it for the higher paying, skilled positions. Again basic economics of supply and demand; when the supply of qualified applicants is low and the demand is high, then the cost of doing business (in this case, to court the applicants) is more expensive. I remember when I was going to grad. school getting my travel expenses paid for and at the end of the day some of the students would take me out on the town. And for one school, I was really having a hard time deciding because I had so much fun when I went out there even though most of the areas of study were not what I was really wanting to go into.

[camellia0]

I know that the media industry and some law firms pay to have a good/qualified person interview. Some companies will go all out for the right person.

[blondie71]

I have never been paid for going to job interviews except when I started with in home care, this was for two days and they paid for the motel room and mileage but this was after they hired me.