Contract negotiations with a US company

mauraf

Hi
I have just completed a final interview with a US company, that will have a based in Ireland.
No job offer yet...but I want to have my ducks lined up before I (hopefully) get to that stage.

Position is a senior role....and I have heard there are 2 candidates that are close contenders....assuming I am one at this stage.

My concerns:
I have never worked for a US based firm, so would be concerned re time difference and working hours.
Travel....travel is difficult for me for personal reasons....so while it has been mentioned there will be some travel, I don’t want this to be a regular thing...

Has anyone been in this position before, and do you have any advice on how I should broach the subject of travel especially?....conscious I could shoot myself in the foot if I make too much noise about travel but still want to call it out....I have already mentioned to the recruiter that travel is a challenge....

Thanks
Maura

grogi

Just say how much travel you can afford, the other side will decide if that is enough.

You really don't want to get a job and soon figure out you cannot really do it because you need to travel too much.

cnocbui

Should you even be applying for a job where you are unable, or disinclined, to perform a core requirement of the position?

OMM 0000

So you have three options:

1. Say nothing. Get the job. Deal with the travel issue later via excuses. This is the selfish, weak solution.

2. Tell them now you can only do X amount of travel. This may cost you the job. This is the honest but most personally damaging solution.

3. Say nothing. Figure out a way to deal with the travel problem. To me this is the best solution. Is your issue a phobia or a medical problem? Can it be solved?

Mrs OBumble

cnocbui wrote: »

Should you even be applying for a job where you are unable, or disinclined, to perform a core requirement of the position?

This sounds harsh, but is correct IMHO.

Senior roles in American companies require regular travel.

They also require you to work into the evening, sometimes until 11pm or later for west-coast companies.

Session2019!

My experience anyways was long working hours due to time difference and needing support from HQ in America. Travel was usually 1-2 weeks at a time every 2 months for me altough some people regularly had to go for 5 weeks at a time.

Diziet

Most job functions would have a note about % travel required. If not, ask for an estimate.
I would not assume all US companies require travel; many are aggressively cutting travel in favour of remote meetings.

mauraf

Thanks all for your replies. OP here by the way.

Just to clarify...the job description said nothing about travel...I brought it up with the recruiter who confirmed there would be “some”. At this time....I expressed my concerns that I would have limited availability to travel for personal reasons ( partner works away a lot and I have young children). He said he would mention this to the employer....this was v early on in the process.

Time difference and working hours I could facilitate to some degree within reason.....again nothing in job description re mapping to US hours.

Really just looking for guidance on how best to approach the travel aspect now, and potentially put it out there before any job offer.

YNWA27

Do you not prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewers at interview?

I always have 🙈

GreeBo

OP I'd say nothing and play it by ear.
Unless they specifically call out lots of travel, is usually just something that companies say to cover themselves.
I'm in a senior enough role and might travel a couple of times a year as its not a core part of my role, you need to determine if it is a core requirement or just a thing that might be asked now and then.

YNWA27

Bad faith to get a job then bring these questions up later. Considering you had the opportunity to air your concerns and ask questions about the role at interview.

Contrary to common belief this shows maturity and professionalism.

mauraf

List of questions? I do....but they are focused on the discussion at hand and not the logistics involved if I was to be offered the role.

So far...I have 6 interviews for this role, all with different personnel - so it’s not a forum for discussing travel...

knipex

Travel was not listed in the job description or job scpec
It was mentioned by the recruiter and you replied honestly re your ability to travel and said they would pass that info back to company.
Travel was never mentioned at interview.

I dont see why you shoudl concern yourself about travel.

I know many people who worked and work for US companies at senior, mid and "lower" levels. Most rarely if ever travel for work. Depends on the role. If its a "director" level position, perhaps one or twice a year. Business development \ sales, then a lot more frequently.

YNWA27

mauraf wrote: »

List of questions? I do....but they are focused on the discussion at hand and not the logistics involved if I was to be offered the role.

So far...I have 6 interviews for this role, all with different personnel - so it’s not a forum for discussing travel...

Why would you not be asking questions around the logistics? Your entire point here is the potential for travel which i'm sure by at least interview 2 you would have got the impression the role may include travel.

The odd probing question perhaps?

You want to enjoy your work and so pitting yourself through all of this to end up taking it and being miserable if there is a lot of travel involved because you didn't think to discuss the logistics of the role?

Bit mad if you ask me