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Traveling hours for an interview

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Software Engineering Intern at Taro Community25 days ago

I am invited to an onsite with a company that would like me to do their final round interviews at their HQ. They are around 3 hours away from where I live. I haven’t confirmed but I think that given how far I live from them, they should be understanding enough to offer an online option. I know that interviewing in person significantly increases your chances. I’m not a huge fan of the company but given the job market, I feel like I kinda have to do it if it means it’ll increase my prospects on getting the job.

I’m currently in the interview process with a few other places that are arguably more prestigious. Is there a way to leverage this so that me choosing to interview online doesn’t negatively affect my candidacy? Is it even worth doing the interview in person?

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Discussion

(4 comments)
  • 2
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    ML Engineer
    24 days ago

    In my opinion until you have an offer in hand I wouldn't sabotage an interview intentionally.

    While yes, you could ask the recruiter to give you a fast track option given that youre in the process with other companies, in this market you need to be perfect to land a job.

    This is an extremely competitive market and I wouldn't risk it. Worst case this would be good for practice and if you can crack an in person interview then it'll really prep for you other online interviews. A lot of top companies will have in person interviews so this would be good practice

  • 1
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    Tech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
    22 days ago

    What's the opportunity cost of going in-person? ie. will it cause undue stress for you? I think you'd get a lot more signal on the company in-person, you might have fun, and maybe you can still use the commute time productively.

    If you really can't go, the phrasing I'd use is "Is there an option to do the final-round interview remotely? I'd like to make a decision in the next 2 weeks, but unfortunately I don't think I'll have the time to visit the company HQ."

  • 0
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    Tech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
    22 days ago

    It is impossible to make interviewing online not hurt your candidacy as your performance will be worse from not going in-person almost by definition (it will especially hurt in behavioral rounds).

    If the company initially refuses to offer an offline option, then you should use your in-progress interviews at other companies to leverage them into offering it. However, this won't change the fact that not going in-person probably drops your chances of passing by 15-30% at the minimum.

    You being far away actually becomes an asset because if you mention that you're both far away and willing to come in, that shows to the company that you really care about them. So not only does it boost your chances via a better live performance, the very gesture helps as well. But of course, this is a gamble: It would kind of suck to travel 6 hours both ways to not get an offer (which is definitely possible, especially in this market).

    At the end of the day, it's your call to make. If you think you have a decent shot with the other companies and you don't like this company too much, you can totally be calculated and try to do this interview online. In other words, I would only do this if you're 100% okay losing this opportunity.

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    Eng @ Taro
    22 days ago

    Since you are so early in your career, it will probably be worth it for you to do the interview to get more interviewing experience.

    Also, do you know if they have an option to reimburse you for travel? It might be worth it for you to get to the location the night before and stay at a hotel near their office, so you don't have to stress out about the commute the next day. If they didn't initially extend that option, it doesn't hurt to ask.