The flight back on Sunday would be $200 cheaper. Is ok to say I would like to stay with friends for the weekend and still sound like I’m am taking this as a very serious opportunity. Or can I frame it as a savings for them. Because of the nature of my post I can see how that sounds like I’m acting like they already offered me the job. I can always eat a few days of vacation too and just fly down on my own time again if I’m offered the position.

Sorry on my phone and kept hitting return instead of space bar

Also yes, I believe all travel expenses will be covered by the company, at least lodging and airfare.

I would be staying with friends for the additional days. I would offer to stay with my friends the entire time, but they live in the urban part (job is in the suburbs) of the city and have a cot for me, which when I visit I can stay with for a day a two but then I typically get a hotel room.

Would a good way to phrase it be “it’s considerably cheaper to fly back on Sunday, I have the option to stay with friends through the weekend, would that be an acceptable option?”

@Pete - certainly

Stazzere this is starting to seem like one of those instances I don’t need to give them more information besides that it will save them money with no downside for them. If I were the hiring manager this is what I figured someone would be doing. I just don’t want it to come off as me using this as mini vacation on someone else’s dime.

I don't think it's presumptuous to want to check out possible accommodation in the area. The company will understand that relocation is a big life upheaval, and the last thing they want is to hire someone who leaves soon after because they hate the area they have moved to.

Why would checking out the city you are serious about moving to sound presumptuous?

If I'm asking you to relocate and you say "Can I stay a bit longer to catch up with my friends?" I'm going to think "Great - they already know some people here - that could make them more likely to come here and settle in quickly. I'll just take a note of that with my green pen"

To me the "I'll be hanging out with friends in the area" sounds like you want time for parties and fun. Looking for an apartment and generally exploring the area seems much more serious.

The idea of framing it as "hanging out with friends" rather than (and to hide that you're) assessing whether you'd be happy moving there comes across to me as bizarre.

I guess it was just a typo from @JoeStrazzere and he mixed up the two cases when typing.

@JuliaHayward /dan-klasson It's not about checking out the city, it's about the way you bring it out. Asking for time to check the city and look for possible accommodation is prefectly fine, but "checking for my next appartment" when you don't have the job yet is presomptuous.

I think the best way to phrase it is simply to say that you would like to scout out the area and you have a friend you can stay with for the additional nights. In general, the truth is always welcome and they will respect the fact you're taking the opportunity seriously

It would stay away with both "I will be looking for my next apartment" and "I'll be hanging out with friends in the area". One sound too forward, other make you sound like not interested and instead using their money to travel and meet friends. Checking out/explore city is my recommendation. Moving is a big decision and everyone wants to explore city a bit and get general idea before moving/accepting a job.

The company would almost certainly be willing to accommodate, though they're unlikely to pay for extra nights in a hotel (although you may be able to arrange staying in the same room; it would depend on if the hotel would accommodate the split billing, but more than likely they will).

@Draco18s - All the different perspectives on this are interesting. To me, if I'm likely to want the candidate, an extra couple of nights hotel cost is chump change compared with the feel-good factor it lets me instill in the candidate. If I don't like the candidate, I can still turn them down and sure, be out the $300 or whatever. But if I do, I figure I've bought some nice goodwill for cheap there... :-)

@T.J.Crowder Oh sure, just mentioning it as a "if you ask, they might not pay for the hotel more than 2 nights" (or however long they intended to have you out). The flight's the same cost regardless of the day (plus or minus maybe $30). So its more of a "you can ask, they'll probably be fine, but be prepared to pay your own lodging" sort of deal.

BTW, sometimes staying longer or flying on less busy days can save air fare, so you can signal them that you are willing to accommodate for a later flight as you want to sightsee anyway. This comes off as responsible..