flying over 1000 miles for an interview

[cat1235]

My situation condensed: I live in SC, graduated in December 14, trying to relocate to VT. One year of SNF LPN experience. Have visited VT several times to see my boyfriend and have an active license in both SC and VT. Still in the running for getting hired into a VT hospital's new grad residency program (and if I do should know before August I think ....or any day for that matter) but know that I need to just take what I can get in the meantime to start my RN career and get my butt in Vermont. Had a phone interview for a peds doc office ....going on a month and haven't heard back so I came across a home health agency last week. (Bayada home health care)

Saw an ad posted on some career search site. Emailed them along with my resume, was asked to call to further discuss, I did... and all within a day or two after a few more emails, after the mention of an interview, I said I could be there the next week (I'm ready to get this job stuff on the way haha) so i fly out tomorrow for a few days to interview on wed! All at my own cost. The link to fill out an actual app wasn't working because of their server but she said I could fill one out on paper when I'm there. The whole thing seems very nonchalant an easy going. I feel like this might be One of those places where the interview process is laid back and the application is just a technical thing they have to have you do ...kind of like when a friend gets you a job and they know they're hiring you but have to have you fill one out anyways just so they can say you did. Has anyone ever flown out and NOT gotten the job? I would hope if they want to interview me they'd plan on hiring me unless I'm just not who I say I am. I hope! I've already set up appointments with apartment complexes to look at them so I can find a place before I leave if I get hired so I don't have to fly back up again and pay another plane ticket!

[llg, PhD, RN]

There is no guarantee they will give you a job. If you told them you have no trouble being there for the interview ... that you are planning to move there anyway ... etc. ... they may assume that you are traveling back and forth all the time. They may not realize that you would be making a special trip, just for this interview. Even if they did realize that you were making a special trip, they might not care as it is not their money you are spending.

Don't assume that an interview = a job offer. It doesn't.

My suggestion is that, if you plan on moving there ... then move. You are more likely to be seriously considered for jobs if you already live there.

[elkpark]

I have traveled for a few interviews and haven't gotten the job. I can think of three situations offhand, and that's without actually making any effort to remember and add up an accurate total. Wanting to interview you certainly does not necessarily equal wanting to hire you.

On the other hand, did I read your original post correctly, are you planning on taking a job ASAP with the idea that you will resign to start the new grad program if you get it? When does that program start? If it's in less than (at least) a year, that's a pretty nasty thing to do to an employer that actually hires you.

[cat1235]

How on earth can I move to a place where I don't have a job yet ..... hence the reason I am trying to get a job to pay for an apartment so I can live here .... c'mon people, really? So I'll move and pay for a place ..... how? And sorry but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. I have no idea when the new grad program could start IF I even get in. I know plenty of people who switched jobs within the first year of graduation .... it's not ideal but you have to do what you have to do as long as switching jobs throughout the year does by become a habit.

[caliotter3]

Whatever happens, I hope you get what you want and need in the end, without too much expenditure of time and money. I have moved many, many times in my life and I know that every time I moved there was a big outlay of money that I didn't necessarily have, and couldn't necessarily get loans for. Good luck.

[elkpark]

I know plenty of people who switched jobs within the first year of graduation ... it's not ideal but you have to do what you have to do ...

Yes, we all do, and that's one of the main reasons why many healthcare employers have become so reluctant to hire new grads. Can you stay with your boyfriend for the time being? Or, you are welcome to keep looking for a VT job from SC, but expect to have to travel for interviews without any expectation that they're going to offer you the job just because you traveled a long way for the interview.

We all understand that relocating is expensive (I've done it a few different times in my career, as I noted). I hope things will work out for you. Best wishes!