If a Firm Doesn’t Offer to Pay for My Interview Flight Should I Still Go?

Question:

I’m a lawyer trying to move to another city. A law firm recently asked me if I plan to be in town so they can meet me. It appears they don’t want to pay to fly me in. I’m kind of insulted, and feel like they if they want me they should pay for me to fly in. Should I go?
 

Answer:

Yes. The reason is simple: if you don’t go, you won’t get the job.

Firms choose not to fly people out for a variety of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with you.

Some firms are small, and do not budget for flying associates all over the country. This doesn’t mean they are not high-quality firms. Some of the best firms, including boutiques, are small. They are just leanly run and try to avoid costs involved in hiring. I see this all the time.

In some instances, the firm does have a budget to fly people out but they have not budgeted flights into this particular job search, choosing instead to focus on local talent. A firm might hire local talent because they focus on local work and a local lawyer is simply a good fit for them. If this type of firm asks you to come meet with them on your own dime, they are doing so knowing that there will be additional costs and inconvenience involved in hiring you, and that means they like what they see on your resume enough to consider hiring you anyway. For this reason, you should seriously consider getting yourself to their city. Similarly, some firms focus on hiring local talent because there are plenty of associates already in town who can do what you do. If you’re in a practice area that isn’t a high-demand practice area and an out-of-town law firm asks you to fly yourself in, I would definitely go for it. It means they saw something on your resume that makes you stand out from the abundant pool of local talent.

When you make yourself available to a law firm by flying yourself out, you are letting them know that you are very interested in them. Law firms, like attorneys, like to be wanted. It shows them that you aren’t just fishing, looking for a free trip (people do this, believe it or not) or practicing your interview skills. It shows that you take them seriously. It also gives you an opportunity to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile when asked. I have had my attorney candidates ask me whether the law firm might settle for a phone conversation instead. Law firms almost always decline the phone call. It is a reflection on you and your level of interest.

Last, the most basic reason to get yourself in front of the law firm is that it is the only way you might get the job. In this scenario, a law firm has expressed an interest in meeting you. That’s huge! If you don’t go, you won’t get the job. If you go, you might. Worst case scenario: you’re out the price of a plane ticket and a night at a hotel. It is a small price to pay for a chance to get what you’re looking for.

So, if you possibly can, bite the bullet and get yourself out to meet them. You might not get the job, but at least you will know you tried. A $300 plane ticket is a very poor reason to take yourself out of the running, and you just might impress them enough that you’ll end up with your dream job.
 

• See Do NOT Pass Up an Interview Just Because the Firm Is Not Footing the Bill for more information.

Summary: What should I do if a firm wants to interview with me in another city but doesn’t offer to pay for my flight? Is it still worth going to the interview?