The site interview will be similar to your previous screening interviews. Make sure to read this blog post first and then continue with this one.

Before the interview

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early and account for traffic if your lodging is far from the interview location. If possible, try to drive by the interview site the day before so you are not caught off guard by directions or traffic. Grab a good meal before your interview. Even if the interview includes a lunch or dinner, don’t skimp on your nutrition since your focus will be mostly on the conversations. Interviews can be more draining than you expect!

• Pack an emergency food kit with some snacks that are easy to carry and eat on-the-go, such as a health bar or banana.
• Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated while talking.
• Bring mints with you to avoid bad breath. Avoid bringing gum—although it freshens your breath, chewing gum is distracting and unprofessional during an interview.
• Relax yourself, un-tense your shoulders and neck, take deep breaths, and stretch before the interview.

At the interview

Be polite and greet everyone you meet with a smile. Try to make a personal connection with everyone to stand out. At the beginning of every round of interviews, write down the names of the interviewers and their title/background. Remember the names and positions of people you spoke with during pre-office visits. You should greet them and refer to these people by name during the office site interview. 

• Every person you encounter could potentially be someone who influences the hiring decision, so be courteous to all.
• Request a business card when meeting a new person, so you do not forget his or her name.
• Showcase positive body language and maintain the enthusiasm throughout the interview.

Be prepared to meet a number of different people who may possibly ask you similar questions repeatedly. Maintain consistent answers to similar questions, as well as a consistent attitude to everyone you meet. 

• Remember you are getting evaluated on everything you say or do.
• Exhibit table manners during meals and remember that meal conversations are still considered part of the interview. Refrain from drinking alcohol during the recruiting social events or meals.
• Throughout the interview, it's important to show your energy and enthusiasm for the position.
• Use the S.T.A.R. Method whenever you are asked to describe past projects and experiences.
• Make sure all of your questions have been answered or addressed. You should have a thorough understanding of the role you would potentially play in the company.

It’s okay to be nervous during the interview. Acknowledge your nervousness. Your interviewers are also nervous, and it’s a completely normal feeling to have under a high-stress situation. Remember that you are nervous only because you care about the position.

• Smile 
• Breathe 
• Sometimes, you will be asked a question that catches you off-guard or that you don’t have the answer to. When that happens, it’s okay to say “I don’t know,” but also add that you are curious to learn more.

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask interviewers. Keep in mind that recruiters often hear the same standard questions from potential job candidates every day. 

• When interviewers ask, “Do you have any questions?” always say “Yes.”
• Refer to your notes if you need to refresh your memory on what you want to ask
• Make sure all of your questions have been answered or addressed. You should have a thorough understanding of the role you would potentially play in the company and of the job.

Don’t forget that you are also assessing your organizational fit with the company you are interviewing with. Ask yourself these questions during the office visit:

• What is the overall attitude of employees in the office? Are they happy? Tense? Welcoming? Overworked?
• Are employees genuinely excited about their company and what it represents?
• Do you feel comfortable with your surroundings?
• Do you respect and like the people and culture of the organization?

At the end of the interview, thank your interviewers for their time and ask when you can expect to hear back from the company. Sometimes a formal job offer is given during or immediately after your office visit. Don’t feel pressured into answering right away. Instead, ask for time to consider the offer and find out when the company expects to hear from you, so you have time to reflect before a decision is made. An employer might ask if Texas A&M University has a policy for job offer consideration. The Career Center asks that employers give students a minimum of two weeks to consider full-time, co-op, and internship offers, following NACE Guidelines. If you need more time to consider the job offer, ask the employer for an extension on the offer.

After the interview

Make notes on the various interviews and use the notes to write thank-you notes. Send a thank-you letter to your point of contact at the company and mention the names of individuals.