next »

[dodson28]

I was recently invited to interview for a full time position. I was told that this is an initial interview that will last for about 15-20 minutes. There will be a second interview if I am called back. The interview is in another state, and it will therefore require significant travel time. I'm excited about the job and definitely want an offer. But, I'm hesitant to spend a day traveling there and another day back for a 15-20 minute meeting. Is it okay to ask for an initial phone interview? Or, is it a much safer bet to do the initial interview in person?

[offthemarket]

Are they paying for it? If so, do you want the job?

[nevertenured]

That seems like an unreasonable thing to ask of someone... even if they pay for it.  There's this new magical thing called video conferencing.  I don't think I'd even want to work for someone who would expect me to physically travel out to them for an initial "15-20 minute" discussion.

[hikingprof]

Are they paying for it? If so, do you want the job?

Yeah, more information needed. This situation seems odd. They want you to spend a lot of time traveling only to sit for 15-20 minutes meeting? That doesn't make sense. What sort of institution is this? Is this a t.t. job?

All that being said, I think most people would agree that a phone or skype interview is not as beneficial for you as a face-to-face interview would be, particularly if the other candidates are all participating in face-to-face interviews.

[kaysixteen]

I too would be interested in hearing more specs wrt this job, but the scenario as currently stated, whilst pathetic, does seem to be what might well could happen in an era where there are now so many applicants for professional positions that blatantly unprofessional, unreasonable employer conduct can sadly be expected to occur more and more often.

[offthemarket]

This is standard for higher-level administrative jobs, like Dean, Provost and President.  They're called "Airport Interivews."

You fly in, sit down in a conference room near the airport for an hour or two, then fly home. It's a way to whittle down the pool to figure out who is a good fit, who is serious, and who are nutcases.

I'd much prefer this to a phone interview, even for a faculty job, if it was a job I truly wanted.

If I got to spend several hours on a plane, that's several hours working on a grant or manuscript that I probably otherwise wouldn't have...

[paulsa]

You've said that the interview is in another state, but it's not clear from your post if the interview is at the school.  Is this a conference interview?

[offthemarket]

Oh! If this is a field with a conference interview, then this is standard. It does look like we're more interested in this than the original poster.

[brixton]

This is standard for higher-level administrative jobs, like Dean, Provost and President.  They're called "Airport Interivews."

You fly in, sit down in a conference room near the airport for an hour or two, then fly home. It's a way to whittle down the pool to figure out who is a good fit, who is serious, and who are nutcases.

I'd much prefer this to a phone interview, even for a faculty job, if it was a job I truly wanted.

If I got to spend several hours on a plane, that's several hours working on a grant or manuscript that I probably otherwise wouldn't have...

Airport interviews are aLso always fully funded.  Usually they take place in convenient hubs (NYC/Chicago), so it's convenient for all. Their rarely just 20 minutes. So maybe a conference interview...?