Various Names Used • • • • •
Company visit Office visit Second interview Site visit Usually last 1/2 day to 2 days
What Comes Next • Company decision May take a few days to weeks Many reasons it can take a while • Your decision If you don’t have an interest after the visit, let them know
Purpose for Company Visit • Permit the company to gain more in-depth assessment of the candidate • Permit the candidate the opportunity to learn more about the company • Mutual decisions being made • Company visit permits better decisions
Invitation to Company Visit • You’ve passed a major hurdle • Odds of receiving an offer now better than 50-50
Preparing for the Company Visit • Learn as much as possible from Notes taken after first company visit Employer Website Annual report Recruiting literature Articles in magazines and newspapers
Preparation • Learn about the company from people Alums now employed there Current employees in your target work area People with direct knowledge of company • Career Center • Faculty/Administration/Staff • Customers • Others
Preparation • You can expect recurring interviews Prepare to talk about yourself Similar to initial interviews
Preparation • You will need to ask many questions : Show you know about the company Ask questions that will help you decide whether to accept an offer Identify priorities and ask about them
Preparation • Find out what type of business clothing is needed • Appear well-groomed (hair, skin, nails) • Pack some of your resumes • Leave personal problems at home
Arranging the Trip • “Contact” person is an information resource • Ask contact for your agenda • Confirm all directions, dates, times, and locations
In the Evening • You may be hosted at a lunch or dinner Assume it is part of the evaluation Avoid alcohol and difficult foods Carry on conversation but stay professional • Go to bed early the night before the interview Don’t treat it like a day at school Company visit is much more demanding
The Interview Day • Arrive at company site on time (try to come 15 minutes before the interview) • Agenda begins quickly and may offer no breaks to the end of the day
Individual Company Visit • You have numerous one-on-one interviews • May include a plant or office tour • May include testing Psychological Aptitude Drug • Usually an exhausting schedule
Sample Individual Schedule INTERVIEW SCHEDULE Ruth Smith February 15, 2008 8:30 AM Henry Case, Sales Representative, 8:45 AM Louise Brown, Manager of Human Resources 9:30 AM Paul Washington, District Sales Manager 10:15 AM Marcelle Meyers, Systems Analyst 11:00 AM Paula Thomas and Gregory Williams, Sales Trainees 12:15 PM Lunch – Henry Case, Branch Manager 1:30 PM Tour of facilities 2:00 PM Testing 3:00 PM Wrap up – Henry Case
Group Company Visit • • • • •
Numerous candidates from other schools Efficient for the host company Allows them to see you interact with peers May begin with lunch or evening reception Usually involves group sessions during the day
Group Company Visit GROUP INTERVIEW SCHEDULE Ruth Smith February 15, 2008 8:30 AM Continental breakfast – on site 9:00 AM Opportunities with Wexford Widgets Karen Shocken, Director of College Relations 10:00 AM Tour of facilities 11:00 AM Interview: Bob Harlow, Manager of Customer Relations 12:00 PM Group lunch with recent trainees 1:30 PM Interview: Cathy Goodman, Customer Services Associate 2:15 PM Wexford’s Vision and Opportunities Howard Rice, Vice President of Marketing
People You’ll Meet • Middle and upper management Company vision, culture, long-term plans Ask about their careers
People You’ll Meet • Recent hires and junior managers Ask about their experiences at the company Ask about the community • Activities and recreation • Social scene
People You’ll Meet • Be friendly and professional to everyone • Anyone can have a positive or negative impact
After the Visit • Take notes on the visit • Write thank you letter to main contact • Write or e-mail brief thank you notes to others you met
