Site Visit Interview
After an on-campus interview, lead candidates are usually invited to visit the employer's facility. While on-campus screening interviews are important, on-site visits are where jobs are either won or lost. Work with the employer to schedule the on-site visit at a mutually convenient time. Sometimes employers will try to arrange a site visit for several candidates to take place at the same time, so there may not be much flexibility but you'll never know if the employer is flexible unless you ask.
- Notification of a plant trip may be by telephone or mail. Respond promptly if you are sincerely interested in this employer. Decline politely if you are not. Never go on a plant trip for the sake of the trip. It’s not nice to lead people on! If you are attending, document the name and phone number of the person coordinating your trip. Verify who will be handling trip expenses. Most medium and large-size companies (as well as many smaller ones) will pay your expenses, but some will not. This is very important because expenses are handled in various ways: 1) the employer may handle all expenses and travel arrangements; 2) you handle your expenses and arrangements (the employer may assist with this), and the employer will reimburse you later; 3) the employer may offer an on-site interview, but will not pay for your interview.
- Know yourself and the type of job you are seeking with this employer. Don't say, "I am willing to consider anything you have." Your specific interest should reflect your qualifications.
- Thoroughly research the potential employer. Read annual reports, newspaper articles, trade journals, etc. Many companies have their own homepage where you can read its mission statement, find out about its long-term goals, read recent press releases, and view corporate photos. Don't limit your research only to company-controlled information. The World Wide Web can be a valuable investigative tool. You may uncover key information that may positively or negatively influence your decision to pursue employment with a given organization.
- Bring extra copies of your resume, copies of any paperwork you may have forwarded to the employer; names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your references; an updated college transcript; a copy of your best paper as a writing sample; a notebook; a black and/or blue pen for filling out forms and applications; and names and addresses of past employers. If you think this is a bit much, just think about how impressed the employer will be that you took the time to bring all of that information for him or her.
- Once again, your role at the interview is to respond to questions, to ask your own questions and to observe. Be ready to meet people who are not part of your formal agenda. Be courteous to everyone regardless of his or her position; you never know who might be watching you and your actions once you arrive in town. Treat the custodian the same as you would the CEO. Word gets back to people in the most interesting ways.
- Soon after the site visit, record your impressions of your performance. Review the business cards of those you met or write the information in your notebook before leaving the facility. You should have the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of everyone who was involved in your interview so you can determine which individuals you may want to contact with additional questions or follow-up information. Also, a thank-you letter should be written to the person(s) who interviewed you and will be making the hiring decision. Stay in touch with the employer if you want to pursue a career with them.
- The site visit is a two-way street. Just as they are evaluating you, you are there to evaluate the employer and to determine if your expectations are met for job content, company culture and values, organizational structure, and lifestyles (both at work and leisure). Take note of how the employees interact with each other and their supervisors and also assess the physical work environment.
- Just as any good salesperson would never leave a customer without attempting to close the sale, you should never leave an interview without some sort of closure. If you decide that the job is right for you, don't be afraid to tell the employer that you feel that there is a good fit and you are eager to join their team. The employer is interested in hiring people who want to be associated with them and they will never know of your interest if you don't voice your opinion. Keep in mind that although the employer has the final power to offer a job, your demeanor during the entire interviewing process-both on and off campus-also gives you a great deal of power.
Last updated on Friday, November 04, 05 at 11:01:31 AM EST.
