Out-of-Town Interview Etiquette
Should interviewees assume entirely their time belongs to the company they’re traveling to talk with?
by Liz Ryan
Dear Liz,
I am about to go in succession a two-day trip to parley with an out-of-town employer. The first day, I will have dinner with the third-party recruiter. The second day, I have an interview at the corporation’s facility, from noon to 3 p.m. I board my go volley at about 8 in the evening.
My question is: May I properly schedule other meetings while I’m in town? I regard two college friends I would like to check in with, and a professional visiting circle had asked that I check in with him the next time I’m in town. Am I expected to reserve quite of my measure in quest of the employer who brought me there, or may I make my own arrangements for my unbooked hours?
Yours,Alicia
Dear Alicia,
You need to be sinless with the employer about when you’ll be available and which time you won’t, and they should be clear through you ready when they need you. Since you’ve reserved the time that was requested of you—dinner with the recruiter and for the situation visit the next daylight—it’s perfectly clear to make other plans. However, it’s a precious idea to let the search person know that other blocks of time will be parole for, in case there’s the chance the employer would like to schedule additional interviews as being you. Make sure there are no surprises.
What you be possible to’t ethically do, in my opinion, is travel on someone else’s dime and seek out other job interviews. Now, you might wonder what happens if, let’s tell, you call the acquaintance who asked you to look him up on your next visit and he says: "I’d love to have dinner and attend my friend Carol with me, because she’s looking to hire someone like you right now."
Suddenly, your casual dinner begins to sound like a potential job interview. But I don’t think it would be bad form to have that dinner, because it wouldn’t subsist about your having sought out such an chance; fit.
Bottom line: You do owe the headhunter and his or her client as much time as they supplication, you shouldn’t seek out other employment opportunities, and you’re on your own socially. If a pal happens to bring along someone who might be helpful to you professionally, that’s a bonus.
Cheers,Liz
From: Out-of-Town Interview Etiquette
