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 The
Purpose of The Company Visit is to allow the company to get a more in-depth assessment
of the candidate prior to making a job offer and to allow the candidate an opportunity
to see the company and some of its people first hand in order to make a wiser decision
if an offer is made. The company visit is generally a full day of interviewing and
related activities, at the company site. After the visit is completed and an evaluation
conducted, an offer may be made.
Preparing for
The Visit
Check company website; other web resources ; Annual report and Promotional material
on the company; Talk with former students and alumni who are now employed by the
company.
The better prepared the candidate, the more probable it is that the company will
recognize enthusiasm, drive, motivation, maturity, and thoroughness as assets possessed
by the candidate.
Develop insightful questions designed to show interest in the company and the
position. Questions should demonstrate thorough preparation for the visit, but should
also provide the types of information that will support an informed decision to
accept or decline an offer.
Investigate the following company characteristics:
The business in which they operate; Their mission and long-range goals; Their
business philosophy and management style; The community in which they are located.
Ask recent hires about training, promotion, performance evaluation and community
life. More experienced interviewers can be asked about corporate culture, long-term
plans, company history and other topics where experience enhances the value of a
response.
Good questions will cover a wide range of topics including: Corporate goals and
direction; Career enhancement; Market growth opportunities; Company’s competitive
environment; Research and development; Evaluation system; Career paths of recent
hires; Commitment to training; Community lifestyle
Arranging The Trip
Check with the individual extending the invitation to interview how the travel
plans should be handled: The employer will make all arrangements and cover the expense;
You will make your own plans and the employer will reimburse you for your expenses
after the interview or The company visit will be at your expense. Generally, most
major expenses (travel and lodging) will either be prepaid by the company or put
on a credit card by the student and reimbursed by the company at a later date. Incidental
expenses paid by the candidate and reimbursed later include: Parking; Business phone
calls; Tips; Cab fares; Meals en route. Collect receipts for expenses.
Other incidental expenses fully borne by the candidate include: Room service
snacks; Personal phone calls; In room movies; Newspapers; Gifts; Other personal
items.
Arrival
Plan to arrive in the city the night before the company visit. Avoid late night
flights or the last flight into the city. This will help avoid airline delays, cancellations
or related difficulties. Many hotels have courtesy vans from the airport. In other
cases, take a taxi. Receipts should be kept for later reimbursement. Ask for any
messages at the hotel. (The company may have left information) and verify any prepayment
agreement. Most hotels will ask to imprint a credit card for any charges not covered
by the company.
Evening Before The
Interview
Many companies arrange for an employee to meet the candidate for dinner on the
evening of arrival. The dinner is designed as an opportunity for the candidate to
relax and meet an employee while getting a casual flavor for the next day’s schedule,
the company, the city and any other pertinent topics. The dinner host may be evaluating
the candidate’s social graces, contemporary ideas/views, and ability to mix business/pleasure,
maturity, manner of speech and the ability to converse. Dress appropriately for
dinner. Eat moderately. Avoid alcoholic beverages (except for possibly a single
glass of wine, beer, or mixed drink with dinner, and ONLY if your host also orders
an alcoholic beverage).
Interview Day
Many companies will schedule three to five hour-long interviews with various
levels of management in a one-on-one setting or with a group of employers. Interviewers
usually have scanned the resumes of their visitors and will be familiar with the
backgrounds of the candidates.
Each interviewer knows what she or he is looking for in a candidate and will
probe for strengths and weaknesses. Candidates may be asked the same questions by
three or four different people during the day, yet must give as good an answer to
the fourth as the first. Some employers, however, may not be well-prepared. Candidates
are sometimes called upon to carry the interview with their own questions and observations.
Departure
The last meeting of the day will often be with the contact person or personnel
manager. This session is to answer any final candidate questions, explain follow-up
procedures, discuss reimbursements and take care of any similar details. Candidates
should be sure that all their questions have been answered prior to leaving.
Salary
This is a touchy topic and students are often caught off guard when the topic
comes up in an interview. If questioned about salary expectations the candidate
can respond in one of two ways:
- Give a broad range: “I would hope with my background and qualifications
to be making between $40,000 and $46,000.” The range given should be realistic
and based upon prior research of starting salaries in the industry and for the
position being discussed. Use sites such as
Villanova’s Placement Statistics
or www.salary.com to help
you develop a salary range.
- Sidestep the question: “I’m sure that if you make me an offer it will be
commensurate with my qualifications and the current salary structure for you
industry.”
The candidate should try to avoid giving an exact figure in response to this
question. If pressed on the issue by the interviewer, one has to respond but
it is still best to give a range.
Candidates are often tempted
to bring up the salary issues themselves. As a general rule, it is best not to mention
salary until the company brings it up. Salary will usually not be a topic of conversation
until an offer is made.
Testing
Many companies test candidates prior to extending offers to visit the company
or during the visit itself. Some tests include: Standard mathematical and verbal
tests similar to the SAT or ACT, but much briefer; Personality Tests – no right
or wrong answers; Drug Test for all controlled substances from a urine specimen.
Community
Learn about the company’s surrounding territory. Contact the local chamber of
commerce or visitor’s bureau requesting information on the area. Pick up an apartment
guide or home guide available through the chamber or the realty association for
use in selecting a residence. During the company visit day the candidate should
question people, particularly those closest in age, about housing, entertainment,
cost of living, and other personal concerns.
After The Visit
Email or mail a personal letter of thanks to
all the people met and talked with that day. It is a common courtesy and will
definitely be remembered if he or she ends up working there. A letter of thanks
to the main contact person is mandatory.
Finally, candidates are advised never to be afraid to turn down a job offer if, after careful consideration, they consider it not to be right for their future. After all, long term career satisfaction is the goal of the whole career process.
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