Travel Reimbursement

[lwatcay]

I have recently garduated and looking for a job preferably in London. I can't really afford the travel expenses (approx �100) to get down to London (especially if it takes a few gos before getting a job), but obviously don't want to turn down interviews. What is the norm for companies reimbursing travel expenses - do many do this?

[acw]

Most law firms do - I'm not sure about others. 

I suggest that you apply for the jobs you want and then wait to be invited to interview.  When you get a letter, if it doesn't mention travel expenses, don't be afraid to ring and politely ask. 

Do you have a YPR?  If not, for �20 it'll save you a fortune.  Or are you travelling from the outer hebridies?  Booking in advance with a YPR it's pretty tricky to make a train fare much higher than �50.  A single to London from Durham is only �19. 

Are you thinking you'd travel down the night before? Avoiding peak times would also make the fares cheaper. 

If you are claiming travel expenses, you will be expected to have tried to make it as cheap as possible for the company.   

[Pinotage]

Always ask. Companies I have worked for reimbursed interviewees travel expenses on the same level as employees, and required same class of travel, i.e. cheapest with receipts. But the admin staff rarely offered, the attendee had to ask. ( I suppose the assumption is that someone coming for a job interview in London already had a season ticket.

The other thing is that �100 is quite a lot - you should in this case check with them before travelling if its a condition of you attending.

Remember the response of the company to your query about expenses when you consider whether you want to work for them :)

[ursula62]

If you are claiming Job seekers allowance you may also be able to claim interview expenses from the job centre.

[londongirl]

Yep �100 is a rip off, where are you living?! I lived in the North East and only used to pay �40 return. I wish I'd known about companies reimbursing when I used to come down here once a week, I wasn't working many hours but I was so eager to work here that I was willing to get myself in debt to do it!! It worked out in the end mind you....