Work Coach Cafe

Dear Work Coach,

I’m being flown to another city for a job interview by one company, and I want to know…is it legal for me to interview with another company on the same trip?

Thanks!

No Name

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Hi No Name!

I like this question. While I believe technically there would be nothing to stop you (unless the employer specifically mentions it to you), the fact that you are asking the question shows me you realize there may be reasons it’s not ok.

Here’s one reason to think about. Let’s say after the interview you get an offer from the company that flew you out and someone there (either now or after you start) happens to hear you also interviewed elsewhere on the same trip. Even though you’d think this wouldn’t occur, you never know.  People belong to the same organizations or have kids in school or just happen to know each other. And then…boom! You look like a bit of a sleaze.

Also, often when they fly you in, they schedule your time around the arrangements. Again, it would be very slippery to try to squeeze in other interviews

The ethical thing probably would be to ask them, letting them know you’d never do it if they say “no”. But there’s some risk even in this, since it looks like they aren’t everything you could ever want in life…companies like to think they are.  It also means your full attention wouldn’t be on them, which it should be if you want to knock their socks off and land the job.

As an ethical compromise (that may be an oxymoron), you could ask if you can stay an extra night or two on your own dime since you want to explore the area. At that point, you would still be risking it if you decided to talk to another company, but that would be up to you. Still, I’d probably want to work for the company willing to fly me in rather than one too cheap to do so.

But in the end, my gut tells me…let the company who pays for the date have you exclusively for that time. Be there fully, do your research, picture yourself working there, and let them see the real you in all your glory…and not someone whose mind is also thinking about other places. Believe it or not, stuff like that shows when you interview.

I wish you luck.  Would love to hear what happens!

Ronnie Ann

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