Where will the Interviews be?

[bw5991]

Just wondering,
Say I was invited by a company to go for an Interview. As I am in Scotland will I have to travel down to England or do most companies have bases (of some sort) in Scotland?

This is for any company in general

[IrnBru]

Each and every company are different! I am from Glasgow, I had an interview with Clyde in Glasgow and an assessment day with Carnival down in Southampton :-) It seems to be the case for the best companies, not agencies (This is purely my opinion, I understand some may not agree) you have to travel a bit :-)

[bw5991]

Ah ok, I'm from Glasgow as well. Just because I'll still be in school while going for Interviews so I could end up with like 5 trips down to England hahaha

[IrnBru]

Hahaa nice one! My school was really understanding when it came to taking days to travel down and everything :-) So what stage of school are you at, are you doing another year? I just finished my highers, they were horrid this year!! I am starting with Carnival in September, can't wait!

[bw5991]

Hopefully Holyrood (Mine) is as well! Yeah, staying for a 6th to Get my Higher English and to to Adv Higher Computing :P And really? Congrats! Heard Carnival was hard to get into, they are a cruise line right?

[IrnBru]

Ahh nice one, I am (sorry was) at Smithycroft :-) Sounds harsh, I didn't do Higher English :-( Yeah, they are P&O/ Cunard Cruises, the application process had a bit more going on than other companies, but I really like the look of Carnival so it was more than worth it. I applied to every company I could find around about September last year and after loads of waiting most of them offered interviews, so apply early! Who do you want to go with?

[bw5991]

I'll be applying to every company as well haha, I am not too fussed about who I would go with while a Cadet but if I had the choice I'd like Carnival or Maersk.

[RJShields32]

Tbh there is companies in Scotland but the best ones are in England haha. I am from Wick in the far North Highlands and had my interview with Maersk in February and they paid my expenses for travel and accommodation up to ?150. Not sure about other companies but thats my experience with Maersk

[bw5991]

They paid some expenses? Didn't think that would happen haha!

[Hatchorder]

They paid some expenses? Didn't think that would happen haha!

Companies have different policies. Some will pay your expenses for interviews, some not. Maersk does, but then Maersk require you to have an ENG1 before they issue contracts so you have to pay for your first one yourself. Other companies issue contracts and then pay for your ENG1. Same goes for your C1/D Visa, Maersk pay for it and the associated travel. Jabs can cost you another ?80.

Just be prepared to ask.

For example my son found out that a railcard saved as much as it cost to go to London for his Embassy visit. He contacted Maersk and asked if they would pay for it as they would benefit for future travel as well. Personally I have no idea why Companies do not pay for a 3 year railcard at the start of your cadetship as it is much cheaper than 3 x 1 year ones and save money on train tickets. Don't forget you can even apply for a 3 year one when you are just under 26 I believe and still get reduced rail travel fares until you are nearly 29! Older than 26 and you can still get one during your college phases providing the college will authenticate the form.

Don't assume though. Ask the company first what they will pay for. Stick in an expenses for a ?40 lunch with your train ticket to the US embassy and you will get knocked back. Ask if they will pay for a reasonable lunch as it is a full day trip and they may say "yes, providing you keep a receipt and spend less than ?10".

Hope this helps.

Ian

[alistairuk]

For example my son found out that a railcard saved as much as it cost to go to London for his Embassy visit. He contacted Maersk and asked if they would pay for it as they would benefit for future travel as well. Personally I have no idea why Companies do not pay for a 3 year railcard at the start of your cadetship as it is much cheaper than 3 x 1 year ones and save money on train tickets. Don't forget you can even apply for a 3 year one when you are just under 26 I believe and still get reduced rail travel fares until you are nearly 29! Older than 26 and you can still get one during your college phases providing the college will authenticate the form.

Mine happily paid for me to fly to/from Scotland for the interviews and also start / end of college and holidays during college phase's - the argument being that it's significantly cheaper to fly to Southampton than to get the train cross country!

[bw5991]

Ah okay, I can see why some companies may be reluctant to pay for travel expenses for an Interview so as you say, I guess It's just what company you are with. I'd probably be reluctant to ask about the expenses being covered in case I came off as being rude haha. But then again if you don't ask then you don't get! I also understand you couldn't push your luck with it.

Thanks a lot!

Oh also just a question since you're here :P How long does the ENG1 certificate last until it needs to be renewed?

[size4riggerboots]

2 years

[Albatross]

2 years

Or if you're under 18, it only lasts 1 year :-)

[bw5991]

Thank! I'm under 18 so it would be a year for me then