MAR001

I have now another dilemma:
I had a skype interview about a month ago and they invite me to a second interview as soon as my interviewer return from her holidays abroad (15 days. She came and I heard nothing until I sent a follow up email, she moved the interview and extra week and just when I thought that perhaps they didn't want to move the thinngs forward I received an email asking me about my dates of arrival to book and interview in person.
The thing is that this position is in Melbourne and I'll go initially to Sydney to start finding a flat ASAP and literarly I wouldn't be able to wait too much for an offer, so I guess that if they want me we should move the things very fast... Another thing is who is going to pay the expenses in case I have to visit melbourne to have my face to face interview?
It is a blue chip company and it's for a senior managerial position (not mining) . They don't seem to be in a hurry and I don't know what to expect or negotiate in the Australian Market.
Any comments or suggestions?

Pollyana

You could ask them if they will pay for the flight, but it could be a case of paying for it yourself - depends then on how much you want the job. I know several people who reguarly fly down from Cairns and Rockhampton to Brisbane for interviews, at their own expense every time.

Bermudashorts

Do you fancy living in Melbourne? It is great that you have managed to line up an interview for as soon as you get there. Perhaps you should not be looking for a flat in Sydney when you arrive just in case this goes well?

I think it is quite reasonable for you to ask at the end of the interview what the next steps are and how long will it take. Explain it is because you have just arrived and are not sure whetehr you will settle in Melbourne or Sydney and this could be the decider.

I most defintiely would not recommend asking for expenses and perhaps more so because it is a senior manager position. You can get flights for a couple of hundred dollars and they would expect a senior manager would not have any trouble paying for it. In my career, I have only ever seen new graduates get paid travel expenses and that was the only stage of my life where I was ever reimbursed.

elice_in_oz

I would second the above advice.

Maybe you could try to line up other meetings or interviews in Melbourne while you are there? Research some companies you are interested in, call them and explain that you will be visiting Melbourne shortly and could they fit you in for an informal chat? Same with recruitment agencies. That way you won't have spent the time and money for just one meeting.

Things tend to move slowly in Australia so make sure you tell them that you are still in the process of deciding where to settle, and therefore are flexible at this stage but can they be quick in getting back to you as you have other options in Sydney...?

Definitely do not ask for refunds as that would go against you, especially since you are new to this market and as Polly said, plenty of people are willing to travel for interviews at their own expense. Unless you were head-hunted and going for a seriously senior position (CEO or CFO or Director or something) in a blue chip company, I wouldn't advise mentioning expenses.

Good luck!

MAR001

Thank you guys.. Great advice...