The on-site interview is often the final stage before you receive a job offer and the first time you will meet a number of potential work colleagues. The organization is investing time and often money to bring you to their site for the interview. You should also invest time by preparing thoroughly for the on-site interview. Preparation is essential to success in the on-site interview and will reflect well upon you as a knowledgeable, enthusiastic candidate.
PREPARE
- Research the organization. Use whatever resources are available, including their website and any industry publications that may feature the organization.
- Reflect on your own qualifications and skills. It may seem like a no-brainer to speak about your educational and professional background, but in the high-pressure situation of a face to face interview it can be challenging to articulate your accomplishments easily.
- For each past educational or professional experience, identify a skill or qualification that you gained and draw a connection between that skill and the specific position you are pursuing. This will demonstrate to the interviewer exactly how your unique background has well-prepared you for the position.
- The interview day can be long and very tiring so make sure you get a good night’s rest and maintain high energy throughout the day.
- As with every interview, prepare questions about the position and organization. At an on-site interview you will often meet with multiple people, including future supervisors and co-workers.
- Questions to ask co-workers could be about what a typical work day looks like or how they would describe the work environment.
- Questions for a potential supervisor could relate more to what tasks the position entails and who you would be working with on a team.
GOALS
- Demonstrate how your degree and professional experiences have equipped you with the skills you need to succeed in the position you are pursuing.
- Present yourself as an articulate, confident professional who would be a valuable addition to the team.
- Ascertain not only whether you would be a good fit for the position and organization but also whether the organization is a place that would foster professional growth for YOU.
FOLLOW-UP
As always after an interview, send a thank-you note to your primary interviewer within two days of the on-site visit. By acknowledging and thanking them for investing time in you as a candidate, you will leave a good impression.