Potential employee informs company he's in Madrid before scheduling interview, they demand he leaves trip early to do it in-person that coming Thursday, despite it being almost impossible to change flight: 'They’re this inflexible already'

Emma Saven

Aug 20, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

The interview process not only gives a company an effective insight into a potential employee, but it also gives the future employee a chance to decide whether or not the company atmosphere and values really 'call to them.' Many a time, red flags may be highly present during this process, but some still choose to either sweep them under the rug or run for the hills faster than they can say, This is where you sign.

While this potential employee is enjoying their well-deserved vacation in the heart of Spain, happily knowing that they have a job interview awaiting their return, they are met with a bit of a roadblock…quite literally. After being in communication with the HR and recruitment teams and this new company, they notify the individual that they will not be able to do the interview over Zoom, and must return from their trip in time for the interview on Thursday. However, they certainly knew that he was abroad and that changing travel schedules and costs would not just be expensive, but merely impossible. This company is either trying to test the flexibility and patience of their new potential employee or prove to them that they have none.

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Suddenly it’s not the employee who seems like the problem..but if a company is this demanding with people who don’t even work there…imagine how understanding they must be towards their actual employees…Not every company sees the value in a work/life balance, and that’s okay, but making people travel across the country for an interview with very little warning could be interpreted as a bit of a power play.
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HR insisting I fly back early from abroad for an in-person interview

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