The Company Visit
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OFTEN CALLED THE:
•Plant Visit
•Second Interview
•Site Visit
•Office Visit
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Company Visit
Overview
A major part of the
hiring process
 A full day of
interviewing and
related activity
 Expect an offer after
the company visit

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THE PURPOSE
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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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student of Texas A&M
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
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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?
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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
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Before Departure
 Be sure all your questions have been
answered
 Understand your responsibility regarding
follow up
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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
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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
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Trip Expenses
36%
31%
15%
18%
Company
Company
Student makes Student is not
makes travel
makes travel
travel
reimbursed for
arrangements arrangements arrangements travel expenses
and direct bills and reimburses
and is
expenses to
student for
reimbursed
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company
expenses
expenses
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 the decision date
passes with no response
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An Offer During Visit
 Sleep on it before saying yes, never accept
on the spot
 Always ask for time to consider it
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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 email that day and
mobilized quickly. A couple more offers are coming in
now, some better than others.”
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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.
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