1. 1 The Company Visit

2. 2 OFTEN CALLED THE: Plant Visit Second Interview Site Visit Office Visit

3. 3 Company Visit Overview b A major part of the hiring process b A full day of interviewing and related activity b Expect an offer after the company visit

4. 4 THE PURPOSE b Allows for in-depth assessment of candidate by company officials before job offer b Candidate gets to see company and some of its people first hand before offer

5. 5 What You Need to Know b Interview will be broader in focus and cover many more in-depth questions b Interview will be longer and will probably meet a number of people b Preparation is key b Determine how this company and position fits with your short-term plans

6. 6 Arrangements b Know name and phone number of trip coordinator b Get answers to all questions from trip coordinator--be sure to get directions b Know where you are to be and when & who to ask for upon arrival b Have map, airline tickets, reservations b Know reimbursement procedures

7. 7 Interview Preparation b Brush up on company research b Refresh memory of who you met during 1st interview; review job description b Practice your interviewing skills b Develop insightful questions designed to show interest in the company & job b Take resumes, transcript & references b Take documentation pertaining to visit

8. 8 Arrival & Evening Before b Try to arrive in the city the night before the company visit b Hotel check-in (ask for messages or information for you) b Company may arrange for an employee to meet you for dinner b Companion for dinner might be line manager, key contact, new hire or a former student of Texas A&M

9. 9 The Site Interview b Dress in business attire unless told otherwise b Everyone you meet will be interviewing you b No smoking or alcohol b Be aware of your table manners b Avoid controversial topics b May be asked same questions by everyone interviewing you

10. 10 Things to Look For b Look at human element and work environment b Are people happy, tense, overworked? b Enthusiasm about company and job b Comfort of work environment. Is it a good place for work?

11. 11 Salary b Don’t mention salary until the company brings it up b Be ready to give them a broad salary range b Avoid giving an exact figure

12. 12 Before Departure b Be sure all your questions have been answered b Understand your responsibility regarding follow up

13. 13 Community b Request information from local chamber of commerce on the area b Get an apartment or home guide from the chamber or a local realtor b Ask about housing, entertainment, cost of living and other personal concerns during the visit

14. 14 Trip Expenses b Most are prepaid by the company b May choose to put on your credit card and be reimbursed by company b Always collect receipts for expenses b Use common sense and good judgement regarding expenses

15. 15 Trip Expenses

16. 16 After the Visit b Write a thank-you letter within two days b Send letter to your key contact person b Ask for date to expect to hear about employment decision b Call the company, if the decision date passes with no response

17. 17 An Offer During Visit b Sleep on it before saying yes, never accept on the spot b Always ask for time to consider it

18. 18 Multiple Interviews and Offers b b 1 st - 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? b b 2 nd - Ask 1 st company for decision extension based on above if you need one Reasonable time frame vs. your availability Was Company cooperative/understanding? b b “Several companies replied to my email that day and mobilized quickly. A couple more offers are coming in now, some better than others.”

19. 19 Aggie Code of Honor b When you sign an employment contract with a firm it is exactly that, a contract. b Don’t accept an offer for employment unless you are serious about it and plan to work for them. b You should not be looking for other employment once you have signed that contract. b It’s OK to ask for a reasonable time extension to consider other jobs. b Reneging hurts not only you, but the reputation of all Aggies interviewing now and in the future.