Typically a time for travel, summer can seem frustrating if you don’t have the means to take a vacation. Instead of weekend getaways unemployed and underemployed people reserve trips out of town almost exclusively for job interviews and family emergencies. Both of these reasons to trek out of one’s typical terrain tend to come up unexpectedly and can be quite costly to boot.
For family emergencies it’s best to inquire about bereavement fares some airlines offer. Many companies understand that situations like this can’t be anticipated in advance. Sometimes they will adjust the fare to accommodate the customer and charge them as if the ticket had been purchased ahead of time.
If only they offered a discounted price for fares to out of town interviews. Sadly it’s usually up to the applicant to foot the bill for the entire trip. So stretch your cash flow and broaden your job search location radius by considering the following travel options:
City Bus: Whether you’re the city mouse or the country mouse, if you’re looking to relocate to or from a major metropolitan area you’re in luck. There are many discount bus lines available that run directly to big cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta besides simply going Greyhound. Research the safety and certification of the carrier you choose to use and keep travel costs to a minimum.
Right Track: Sometimes taking the train can be even cheaper than taking the bus so don’t dismiss the option too quickly. Train travel is also quicker than a long distance bus ride and definitely not as cramped. Being able to get up and walk around while on the go can keep you fresh for your interview when you finally arrive.
Clip Car Coupons: Car companies offer rental vouchers for friends, subscribers and followers. Sign up with some of the major players and see what offers pour in to use for long distance travel. Make sure to pick a model that gets good gas mileage to keep costs down.
Hitchhiking, freighthopping, and donkey used to all be acceptable way to get to a job. Nowadays it’s better to try to just bum a ride from a friend, family member or coworker. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Going my way?”
What’s the farthest distance you’ve traveled for a job? How did you get there?
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