Penn State Graduate Student Career Guide - Biomedical Sciences ...

THE SITE VISIT INTERVIEW 45
Site interviews may also contain discussions
of salary and benefits. Candidates
would be wise to prepare to discuss
these matters, citing research into salary
statistics related to field of study, occupational
area, and geographic trends as
support for one’s desired salary range.
Again, it is important that you allow the
interviewer to bring up the salary question,
rather than introducing it yourself.
What Employers Look For
What are employers looking for during
site interviews? You may find these
interviews during a site visit to be
repetitive, but generally, interviewers
are trying to assess:
• Contributions you can make to the
organization (occupational and interpersonal
skills)
• Motivation and Drive
• Communication Skills
• Leadership Potential
• Strengths and Weaknesses
• “Fit” into organization and specific
work tasks
Questions to Expect
Questions may be repetitive as you meet
with different individuals throughout the
day. Remaining consistently positive
as you hear similar questions and offer
examples and details from your background
will be an important component
of the site interview. Questions from the
employer may follow a pattern similar to
preliminary or screening interviews:
• Tell me about yourself.
• Discuss your related work experience.
• Why do you want this opportunity?
• What can you contribute to our organization?
• Describe a successful project you
completed which required long hours
and commitment. How do you stay
focused and motivated in your work?
• Tell me about a difficult decision
you made. What steps did you take
to evaluate alternatives, and how did
you reach your decision? What was
the outcome?
Questions You Should Ask
Questions to ask include those that
may arise naturally from your tour of
the organization, from discussions with
the decision makers you meet with, and
from your research and interest in the
organization and its opportunities.
• Could you describe the day-to-day
work setting here within the organization?
• In your opinion, what are some of
the strengths of the organization?
Challenges?
• What do you hope the person who is
hired will achieve within six months?
Within one year?
Remember—do not ask questions which
may have already been answered, or
which you could answer via web or
printed material research. Ask questions
which convey your interest to the
employer.
The Wrap-Up
Site interviews usually conclude with
a final/wrap up meeting. This is usually
with your contact person or the
employment manager, and the meeting
is designed as an opportunity to answer
any final questions you may have,
explain the follow up procedures (i.e.,
how and when you will be contacted
with the employer’s decision), and will
discuss any remaining items related
to reimbursement for your trip. Before
concluding this meeting, make sure all
of your questions are answered, and be
sure to restate positively your continued
interest in the organization and opportunity
you have pursued (unless you have
decided that you are no longer interested).
Offers
Most organizations will not extend an
offer to a candidate during a site interview,
but if you do receive an offer, do
not feel compelled to accept it on the
spot-it is acceptable to ask for time
to consider the offer. Typically, offers
are extended after the site interview,
according to the follow up procedures
outlined in the wrap up meeting at the
site.
Follow-Up
After the interview, be sure to follow
employer’s instructions regarding managing
expenses (i.e., delivering receipts,
etc.). Also, complete any additional
paperwork that the employer may have
requested. It is also appropriate to send
another thank you letter, or letters to
multiple interviewers. If an administrative
assistant was particularly helpful
in arranging your visit, it would be
appropriate for you to thank that person
as well.
If you do not receive a response from
the employer within the time frame
outlined by the employer, contact the
employer and express your continued
interest as you question where the process
stands. Do not be afraid to decline
an offer, as your long-term career satisfaction
is the goal of this process.
Other Insights
Do not schedule back-to-back site
interviews—allow space to reflect and
regroup in between them.
Evaluate the organization and offer you
receive—consider the people you met,
the reception you received, and information
gathered from all of your interactions
and observations.
Career Counselors can work with you
to prepare for site interviews, practice
effective answers to interview questions,
and fine-tune follow-up strategies. A
Drop-In Counselor is available between
8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. weekdays, and
until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays during the
fall and spring semesters in the Bank
of America Career Services Center.
Individual counseling appointments may
be scheduled following your meeting
with the Drop-In Counselor.