Be Careful When Traveling For Interview...

[Roy T.]

It's pretty rough out there, having just got back from Australia - didn't realize what the corporate world in america had become.

I was recently asked by a pipeline engineering firm to travel to houston for an interview. They liked the fact I had recent programming experience and had an engineering background. They knew I was in Florida and ask me to "check flights" and wanted to arrange a meet the next day.

I did... and booked a flight for the next day... big mistake

I was told in Houston, in the interview, point blank that I would not be reimbursed for *any* of my travel expense. After a 2 hour interview - no lunch, no coffee. I was back on my way back home - $1100 poorer

I maned-up, did not say anything. Smiled, thanked them for their time and left.

Sure enough, despite all assurances to the contrary, there was no job.

I take full responsibility for that poor decision, big mistake.

Just don't make the same one. Assume nothing.

 

[Peele1]

Some reimburse, some don't. If you are concerned about getting reimbursed for travel expenses for an interview, ask. However, if they don't offer, most likely, they won't pay. My employer will pay for expenses if the search is considered to be "national", rather than "local".

 

[csb]

What happened to this?

18 March 2011 - 10:54 PMHello All!

After a long and fruitless search for work (civil engineering) in the states, we packed up and moved to the land down under 3 months ago after having got our visa. (benbo, this is for you)

The long and short of it. After sending out hundreds of resumes for civil engineering work in Australia - nothing! My civil engineering career is officially over...

HOWEVER, having a masters degree in systems engineering and 8 years experience in said field (a second career before civil engineering) I landed a gig as IT Manager of a mid-size brokerage firm - salary $130k + bonus. About $40k more than any civil engineering position I was applying for.

Well, so, life has it's twists and turns. Would never have gotten this opportunity in the states (as I had been out of IT for 5 years) - and thrilled to FINALLY be out of civil engineering once and for all. I can now say i truly love what I do.

I will freely admit now that civil engineering was not for me. It is a noble profession and GOD bless those who are committed to it. I was absolutely not. I hated it. I am thrilled to be out. I hated the politics - here, there everywhere. I am all about money. Civil Engineering is a public service field. I just don't have that impulse in me. I am far too selfish

Got to do what makes you happy, I think that really comes out in interviews and even resumes.

So, I got my VISA (permanent resident) because I was a licensed civil engineer - got to be greatful for that. but never want to work in the field again.



My $0.04 AUD

 

[Roy T.]

Personal reasons brought us back (Mom died and dad is very ill). Otherwise we would not have left Oz.

Happy?

It was because of Australia that dropping $1100 was not a killer. I still may return later this year. But in the mean time decided to see what was out there (recruiter in Texas contacted me - repeatedly - not the other way around).

And yes, anyone who has been to OZ can testify to the vastly higher salaries in OZ (across the board) than in the states.

The job market here hasn't improved much since I left. I feel very sad for America, not at all filled with pride. The Aussies are well aware of just how lousy things are over here, and believe me they lord it over us (But they still pay us huge money when over there).

As an american, it really is rather shameful. We are the world's charity case. A broke, third world state filled with billionaires and hamburger flippers. We are brazil.

The Aussies pity us.

How does that make you feel? I was embarassed, still am.

Ps. After 2 months at my first job, I was handed $5000 AUD in a money clip - was told as an american I would need it to get started in Australia. Think long and hard about that one. do you feel like singing "God bless america?"

 

[engineergurl]

I don't think I like you very much Roy T.

 

[treyjay]

well....they don't pity us so much that they don't want us staging our military there to protect them from China now do they?

maybe they thought they were just giving you back some of your tax dollars.

I am sure they love you there...or maybe they are thinking "hey...another American capitalist who pimps himself out for a buck"

for a guy who describes himself as "selfish" and who is all "about the money"...I bet you are a free-trader too.

I hope you get back there...fast.

 

[The Car]

The Aussies pity us.

Probably because they knew you were coming back here.

Udden, udden

 

[csb]

Personal reasons brought us back (Mom died and dad is very ill). Otherwise we would not have left Oz.

Happy?

It was because of Australia that dropping $1100 was not a killer. I still may return later this year. But in the mean time decided to see what was out there (recruiter in Texas contacted me - repeatedly - not the other way around).

And yes, anyone who has been to OZ can testify to the vastly higher salaries in OZ (across the board) than in the states.

The job market here hasn't improved much since I left. I feel very sad for America, not at all filled with pride. The Aussies are well aware of just how lousy things are over here, and believe me they lord it over us (But they still pay us huge money when over there).

As an american, it really is rather shameful. We are the world's charity case. A broke, third world state filled with billionaires and hamburger flippers. We are brazil.

The Aussies pity us.

How does that make you feel? I was embarassed, still am.

Ps. After 2 months at my first job, I was handed $5000 AUD in a money clip - was told as an american I would need it to get started in Australia. Think long and hard about that one. do you feel like singing "God bless america?"

Wow. I just asked a legitimate question, since you left in such a flourish.

 

[Master slacker]

Find that 5000 AUD quick and head your ass back when you can as you're obviously too good for us.

 

[EnvEngineer]

I started my life and career overseas and it is interesting to see how things have changed. We traveled the world bring our engineering knowledge and many times had to import hardware, software and equipment to get the job done. It is hard for me to see how other countries have moved forward and we had slipped. I still remember most of the world as far behind us, now it seems they have passed us and moving faster into the future.

As an american, it really is rather shameful. We are the world's charity case. A broke, third world state filled with billionaires and hamburger flippers.

Sorry but after 30 years in engineering I have to agree.

 

[cdcengineer]

I just had a friend and his family here visiting us from Australia for the past week +. We met him and his wife in Europe when my then girlfriend and I ski-bummed (is that a proper noun, verb or adverb?) there years ago.

Then we visited them and there young children there on our honeymoon 5 years ago. He works as an engineer at a power plant and appears to make a nice living. Their lifestyle reminds me of 1950's America with single income and reasonable standard of living. At the time the US dollar was still a bit higher, but I thought the cost of everything from coffee to beer was much higher than here in the states. The price of sporting goods are crazy high in Oz. The people are nice and the housing is cheaper, but I had no idea how they could do what they did in such an expensive place.

Anyway, they just visited us and our now 2+ year old and he is still doing well. He travels a lot for work, but their dollar is now right on par with ours. I assume he's doing well at work and with the dollar being a bit lower he said it was a good time to come. They are travelling for 5 weeks (awesome benefit of international workers).

What I don't understand is how the Oz economy can be as strong as it is considering they have very few natural resources compared to our country. The people don't seem to work nearly as hard which has to translate into productivity levels being lower than ours. It's a nice place to visit and the people are tops, but I can't imagine for a minute that the US will not rise above the current socialist agenda and wake the F@#k up and get back to work. The only explanation is that we have too many parasites leaching off our welfare services.

I wouldn't trade this passport for any other. As for you not getting reimbursed, that is something you should've asked about in advance.

 

[cdcengineer]

The Aussies pity us.

Probably because they knew you were coming back here.

Udden, udden

What's Udden?

 

[The Car]

As an american, it really is rather shameful. We are the world's charity case. A broke, third world state filled with billionaires and hamburger flippers.

Well, then fetch me a double bacon cheeseburger. And step on it, burger boy; I've got fuel to burn and roads to drive.

Udden, udden

 

[cdcengineer]

Still lost on the udden

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

It's his thing.

 

[Dleg]

Say it out loud, while pretending to pump the accelerator pedal.

 

[engineergurl]

I want a double bacon cheeseburger now.

 

[kevo_55]

I suddenly feel the urge to build something with power tools.

 

[knight1fox3]

^^^ You should listen to him, he's pre-med.

 

[Jayman_PE]

.... The only explanation is that we have too many parasites leaching off our welfare services.

There it is. I have been thinking some about that very topic recently and have decided that we need to create a new position in the government, probably county or even city level in some cases. We hire very experienced intelligent individuals (lot's of them looking for work) and we bring them in with the sole purpose of checking welfare fraud. Their yearly salary will be around $100,000/yr. If people need welfare (and don't get me wrong many people legitimately do) I guarantee you within 2 months, or less, the savings to the taxpayer would more than cover their salaries. The penalty for not actively looking for work for able bodies? No more paychecks from Uncle Sam.

Of course this probably makes too much sense.

Jason