Out of State Job Interview

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Hello! I just had a phone interview that I think went quite well, with a hospital that is across the country from me. The interviewer suggested that she would be interested in interviewing me in person, if I was planning to be on the area in the next 2 weeks. I am quite interested in the position, but I want to be somewhat confident in my chances before I spend $400 on a plane ticket. She said she will be conducting interviews for the next two weeks. It's possible I could buy the trip on Southwest, and they allow you to change the tickets with no fees, but it's still costly at this time.

Any suggestions on how I can follow up with the interviewer to make sure my chances are good before I make the trip?

ETA: I am a new grad who had a practicum in a related specialty to this position. I have been applying to many places out of my home state, where I am licensed. I have put out about 125 applications in 3 weeks, and this is the first interview I have gotten.

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If you can afford it, and it's somewhere you would love to work, then go.

If you can't, then politely explain and try to set up another phone or skype interview and still be persistent.

But if you have the resources to physically fly over there, and you would love to get this job, then go.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

If nothing else, the interviewer will recognize that you are SERIOUSLY interested in the prospective position. And that may earn you some advantage when employers are so hesitant & gun-shy to hire new grads (who'll up & leave so quickly after being hired).

Am not sure, but I think travel expenses for a job search might be tax-deductible. Don't take me at face value, but first check it out with an accountant/tax professional to be sure before you figure it in to your pros & cons.

ETA: Starting the licensure reciprocity application ASAP could also bolster your hire-ability (assuming we're not compact licensure).

Good luck.

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Thank you guys for the replies. I booked the airfare, and I will go ahead and initiate the licensing process, to show I'm interested/invested. I think my other best bet is to let the other employers in the area who I have open applications with know that I will be in the area, so hopefully I can set another interview or two for the same time frame. If anyone else has any thoughts about the out-of-state job hunt process, I'm all ears :)

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Thank you guys for the replies. I booked the airfare, and I will go ahead and initiate the licensing process, to show I'm interested/invested. I think my other best bet is to let the other employers in the area who I have open applications with know that I will be in the area, so hopefully I can set another interview or two for the same time frame. If anyone else has any thoughts about the out-of-state job hunt process, I'm all ears :)

This is a great idea, letting other hospitals in the area know you are available! I personally would not tell them I am there for a job interview-- I would say something vague like "I am in town" or something like that, and try to visit them in person and hand them a resume.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Good idea for the other facility contacts while you're out there. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Unfortunately, job hunting expenses are NOT deductible if you are looking for your first job... Job Search Expenses Can be Tax Deductible ... This is just all kinds of unfair.

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

Hope your interview goes well ! I went on my second out of state interview this afternoon. Thank God the place was in driving distance, but I was a bit hesitant about going because my last out of state interview did not result in a job offer. But it's important to stay positive :) us new grads will be employed soon!

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So, I emailed the manager on Friday to let her know the dates I will be in town (less than a week away now) and she still hasn't replied. Not that interested? Or maybe unorganized? or...? Not feeling very confident in how this is going.

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So, I emailed the manager on Friday to let her know the dates I will be in town (less than a week away now) and she still hasn't replied. Not that interested? Or maybe unorganized? or...? Not feeling very confident in how this is going.

I think you should have waited until she gave you dates *she* is available before buying plane tickets, not buying them then telling her when you are in town.

If she doesn't reply and you can't cancel the tickets then just go there in person and introduce yourself, and go to the other places in person and introduce yourself.

Good luck!

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She said she would be interviewing this week and next week, and she told me that she would be as open as possible as far as availability if I was coming into town. so I chose flights that would put me in town for Wednesday-Friday next week, so I don't think timing of my visit is the problem. I sent her a follow up this afternoon, asking about the interview and also asking for feedback on how competitive of an applicant I am, based on the interviews she has been doing, and got kind of a blah response, so I'm thinking I'm probably not going to go. I may save the plane tickets for an interview in the future. To only get a not-very-enthusiastic response (no "I'm looking forward to meeting you, too" or such, and she didn't even respond to the questions I asked about my competitiveness) 2 emails and ~5 days later tells me I'm probably not at the top of the hiring list.

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OK! You've only been searching for like 3 weeks so if you could get one response, you should get a few more soon. However if this is a dream job, then just go for it and fly over there. But if you feel "meh" about it, then move on to another place!

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