1. The Company Visit
Plant Visit
Second Interview
Site Visit
Office Visit

2. Company Visit Overview
A major part of the hiring process
A full day of interviewing and related activity
Allows for in-depth assessment of candidate by company officials before job offer
Candidate gets to see company and some of its people first hand before offer
Expect an offer after the visit

3. What You Need to Know
Interview will be broader in focus and cover many more in-depth questions
Interview will be longer and will probably meet a number of people
Preparation is key
Determine how this company and position fits with your short-term plans

4. Arrangements Know name and phone number of trip coordinator
Get answers to all questions from trip coordinator--be sure to get directions
Know where you are to be and when & who to ask for upon arrival
Have map, airline tickets, reservations
Know reimbursement procedures

5. Interview Preparation
Brush up on company research
Refresh memory of who you met during 1st interview; review job description
Practice your interviewing skills
Develop insightful questions designed to show interest in the company & job
Take resumes, transcript & references
Take documentation pertaining to visit

6. Arrival & Evening Before
Try to arrive in the city the night before the company visit
Hotel check-in (ask for messages or information for you)
Company may arrange for an employee to meet you for dinner
Companion for dinner might be line manager, key contact, new hire or a former student of Texas A&M

7. The Site Interview Dress in business attire unless told otherwise
Everyone you meet will be interviewing you
No smoking or alcohol
Be aware of your table manners
Avoid controversial topics
May be asked same questions by everyone interviewing you

8. Things to Look For Look at human element and work environment
Are people happy, tense, overworked?
Enthusiasm about company and job
Comfort of work environment. Is it a good place for work?

9. Business Meals Here is what they are after:
Reasonable table manners: someone who knows which fork to use and doesn’t have disgusting habits. Or simply, someone to represent their organization well.
Social skills: someone who can carry on a conversation.
Economy: someone who doesn’t order the most expensive meal, who will behave responsibly with an expense account.
Moderation: someone who won’t get stinky drunk or even slightly tipsy and be a liability to the organization.
Respect: someone who treats wait staff respectfully, along with clients, co-workers and reports.
Relax, be yourself, take your time with questions and enjoy the meal.

10. Salary Don’t mention salary until the company brings it up
Be ready to give them a broad salary range
Avoid giving an exact figure

11. Before Departure Be sure all your questions have been answered
Understand your responsibility regarding follow up

12. Community
Request information from local chamber of commerce on the area
Get an apartment or home guide from the chamber or a local realtor
Ask about housing, entertainment, cost of living and other personal concerns during the visit

13. Trip Expenses Most are prepaid by the company
May choose to put on your credit card and be reimbursed by company
Always collect receipts for expenses
Use common sense and good judgement regarding expenses

14. Trip Expenses

15. After the Visit Write a thank-you letter within two days
Send letter to your key contact person
Ask for date to expect to hear about employment decision
Call the company, if their decision date passes with no response

16. An Offer During Visit
Sleep on it before saying yes, never accept on the spot
Always ask for time to consider it

17. Multiple Interviews and Offers
1st - Inform other companies that you have a decision deadline – they want to know
Anything you can provide to help their decision?
When do they expect to make decision?
2nd - Ask 1st company for decision extension based on above if you need one
Reasonable time frame vs. your availability
Was Company cooperative/understanding?
“Several companies replied to my that day and mobilized quickly. A couple more offers are coming in now, some better than others.”

18. Aggie Code of Honor
When you sign an employment contract with a firm it is exactly that, a contract.
Don’t accept an offer for employment unless you are serious about it and plan to work for them.
You should not be looking for other employment once you have signed that contract.
It’s OK to ask for a reasonable time extension to consider other jobs.
Reneging hurts not only you, but the reputation of all Aggies interviewing now and in the future.