The office visit allows line managers in the department where you work to perform evaluation interviews. You may also have the opportunity to meet senior managers. It is also the time for you to get a feel for what the everyday work environment of the company is like. You will interview with a series of managers in various areas to find out more about their actual operations. This is the company's chance to convince you to come to work for them. More importantly, it is your big chance to sell yourself so that the firm will offer you a job.
Often the office visit begins early, usually with breakfast with the recruiter or a person in the department in which you're interested. When you arrive at the office, expect a tour of the facilities with special attention to the section in which you wish to work. (Do not be late; typical on-site interviews follow a "tight" schedule.)
You will be interviewed by several different people during the day, some formally, some informally. Be prepared for questions about your "unique selling point" and how that makes you more eligible for a position than anyone else. YOU have to convince them to hire you. Be prepared.
Breakfast and lunch may be part of the office visit. Be sure to mind your manners, since they will be evaluated along with your job skills. Be careful not to order things which are difficult to eat, like artichokes, snails, spinach salads, etc., because you have to be able to talk and eat at the same time. If the interviewer offers you a drink, accept if you wish, but drink in moderation since it is important for you to remain alert for the rest of the afternoon. If you do order a drink, make it a glass of wine.
At the end of the day you will probably be asked for ALL of your receipts for reimbursement purposes. Keep track of everything you spend including taxi fares, tips, etc. Do not run up bar tabs or charge in-room "X"-rated movies at your hotel. Above all, be reasonable in your spending. Most companies will send you a check in the mail, so be prepared to wait for the money. If, when you receive an invitation for an office visit, you are short on money, let the company know so that other arrangements can be made.
Often you will visit more than one employer on the same trip. The costs of the trip should be prorated among employers. If you visit three firms, each one should be charged for one-third of the plane ticket, for example.
You should never initiate a conversation about salary. If asked, be prepared to state a range that you would be willing to accept based on your knowledge of industry figures and offers given to people you know. Don't overprice yourself, but don't underprice yourself either. Yes, you usually can bargain with the firm (please ask us for help in doing this). Make sure you get an offer before you negotiate. You can't negotiate what you don't have. Additionally, do not negotiate yourself out of an offer. Research is essential to deciding on a salary range. Check the salary surveys in the Career Management Office for an idea of appropriate ranges.
It is possible that an offer will be made at the end of the day, but this is not the norm. Should an offer be made, DON'T accept it on the spot. You will appear over-eager and it will decrease your ability to bargain on salary. Offers are usually made by phone or letter after the office visit. Always get your final offer in writing.
If you receive a job offer but are still uncertain, you should make a polite call (a letter suggests an attempt to avoid direct contact" to the person offering you the job. You should ask if a deadline can be extended and this request will usually be granted. However, you should be careful of asking for too long of an extension. Do not be afraid to ask additional questions. Be certain to respond by the agreed upon deadline, even if you need an extension. Don't make the company call you.
Bring all applicable information on past employment and references, as you will likely be asked to complete an employment application.
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