Scheduling Multiple Callbacks in Distant Market Forum

[Anonymous User]

So I have a bunch of callbacks with firms in a major secondary market. I'd like to schedule them back to back for all of them. Right now I have 5, so I'm hoping I can just do one each day M-F. Should I just contact the firms and explain this candidly? How does splitting the expenses between the firms work? Lastly, it's possible I may get more CBs from this city. Since firms don't usually do weekend CBs, would I have to leave Friday to go home and then fly back the next week, or would the firms somehow work out splitting the expenses to keep me there for the weekend so I can do more CBs the following week? TYIA!

[5ky]

It's very unlikely you will get it to work that cleanly. You should do your best to schedule them as early as you can -- and yes, you should mention you have others and would be great to schedule around them, but the firms will let you know when is best for them.

For instance, when I did OCI, I had to fly from VA to NYC 4 or 5 times. I could only really schedule 1 or 2 callbacks at a time for whatever reason.

[Tiago Splitter]

For each trip you'll pick one host firm and submit all the expenses to them. They'll handle the splitting with the other firms. Generally firms only want to pay for one night at a hotel so you'll have to figure out what to do if you can't line them up neatly. If you end up with like callbacks M, T, W, F but nothing Thursday call the host firm's recruiting and see what they say.

[Anonymous User]

As far as scheduling, I'd just start calling them to see their availability for CBs. If one firm is a priority or tough to schedule around, lock that in and put the rest into place. Try to avoid multiple interviews in the same day.

Pick one firm as your "host firm" and book your travel and lodging through them. Explain the mulitple-CBs-in-one-trip situation to the recruiting coordinator there, and don't be afraid to discuss it with the other coordinators - you don't have to name the other firms, but they know that it's possible to have multiple CBs in one trip. Submit the NALP form for splitting expenses to the host firm at the end of the trip.

I've got nothing for ya on the multiple-weeks issue - that comes down to flight costs, personal preference, and how many interview outfits you can pack at once. I'm in my target market this week for my first 5 CBs and will have to come back for more, but I'm definitely going home this weekend.

[PMan99]

I had two full weeks of cross-country CBs punctured by a 3-day weekend. I'd heard of some people successfully getting a weekend hotel paid for but my host firm was not having it (plus that would be two extra nights versus this being three). I ended up being able to line up M-F and T-F with a mini-vacation in the middle. It's worth a shot asking if you can have the weekend hotel paid for, some firms are more flexible than others, but keep those backup plans very ready in the likely chance the firm says no.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thank you all for your great advice.

[Anonymous User]

On a related note, what is considered a reasonable expense? Since I'll be there for a week, I imagine that things start to add up, and I don't want to do anything that would be considered poor etiquette or abnormal. Are taxis to and from airport and to and from hotel to CB OK? Meals? Dry cleaning? K-JD here....

[Tiago Splitter]

On a related note, what is considered a reasonable expense? Since I'll be there for a week, I imagine that things start to add up, and I don't want to do anything that would be considered poor etiquette or abnormal. Are taxis to and from airport and to and from hotel to CB OK? Meals? Dry cleaning? K-JD here....

3 meals a day and any taxis to/from the airport and to/from the interviews are absolutely fine. I've never heard of someone trying to submit dry cleaning receipts. For food they generally just want you to be reasonable. I'd say somewhere around $75/day for the three meals is a good target.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Expenses incurred because of travel are fair game. You wouldn't have to eat out 3 meals a day if you were interviewing in your home city, or travel to or from the airport. You would have to do your dry cleaning anyway.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah, that's all in line with what I've heard: food, travel to/from airport, wifi are fair game; dry cleaning, booze, and entertainment are out.

[Anonymous User]

Related question. I'm scheduled to fly out to another city for a CB in 12 days. However, I have received offers that I would take over this CB. The trip has already been booked and paid for by the firm. Is canceling inappropriate, rude, or costly to the firm? Didn't mean to cause this trouble...

EDIT: Answered in another forum that firm will not care.