That's right, an expense report can be a silent test of your attitude and ethics. Frequently, to travel to an interview, candidates will be asked to make their own hotel and air arrangements. What may seem like a lack of hospitality by the employer is often a test to assess your attitude toward spending company money.
The frugality you show while traveling on a potential employer's money is normally a good indicator of how you will handle their money once you come aboard. MISCONCEPTION
Expense reports of candidates are never scrutinized like those of full-time employees.
REALITY
Most expense reports must be signed off by the authorizing manager and are carefully reviewed for spending habits
Over the years, I have witnessed several well-qualified candidates, who excelled during the tryouts but eliminated themselves from the hunt because of the careless manner in which they handled and reported traveling expenses.
Actions that can raise an eyebrow about your character include:
- Flying first-class when coach is available
- Taking an indirect flight when a direct one is available
- Booking yourself into an expensive hotel
- Nickel and diming the expense account with entries of $1.00 or less for tolls or parking
- Spending to the limit on meal allowances
- Taking a taxi when less expensive ground transportation is available
- Making a significant number of business and personal phone calls and charging them to your room account
MISCONCEPTION
Flying first-class will show you have good taste and only expect the best for yourself and others.
REALITY
Flying first-class is presumptuous and the easiest way to demonstrate your lack of respect for someone else's money.
Pete flew first-class from a Midwest city on his way to the interview in New York City with a three-hour stopover in Atlanta. This perceived act of defiance raised the CEO's blood pressure because he and his employees never flew first-class when less expensive direct flights were available. Since I was involved in the process, the CEO gave me the assignment to investigate this apparent abuse and determine if there was a reasonable explanation for Pete's expending an extra $450 to fly first-class.
When Pete was confronted with the issue, I expected a reasonable and logical justification for the expenditure. Instead Pete responded, "Other companies I've worked for only fly first-class. Plus, I needed to bump up my mileage to reach the elite fliers' club." He didn't show any remorse and was in fact somewhat insulted that I had even raised the question. He further commented that he might not want the job if that's how top executives were treated. As you can guess, Pete never had the opportunity to make the choice.
When selecting an airline, it is best to fly direct at the lowest possible fare. Booking an excursion flight demonstrates that you care about the company's money and that you can operate under less than ideal working conditions.
Also, you should always look at other expenses, such as hotels, ground transportation, meals, and miscellaneous expenditures through the eyes of the beholder, the employer.
If you are concerned that the charges for a hotel or ground transportation are too high, contact the interviewers at the company to get their suggestions on more economical alternatives. By putting the ball back into their court, you will never be accused of overspending on their nickels.
Try to keep your meal charges to a minimum and attempt to pay insignificant expenses out of your own pocket. You may also wish to avoid any charges other than the major ones for air, hotel, and ground transportation.
Instead of deducting personal phone calls from the hotel bill, charge them all on your credit card. This approach is not only more economical, but it also keeps your calls anonymous. The last thing you need is someone raising questions about your calling habits and your discretion.
And finally, if you don't get the expense check in forty-eight hours, resist the temptation to pester the company for payment. This action not only lacks professionalism but also impugns your level of trust in the potential employer.
