Whats the point of on site interviews? (interview, work, companies)

[amich21]

I have been invited for an on-Site interview for a large company. The company is paying all expenses. I wanted to know what are companies looking for in these type of setting? I will be meeting with the Hiring Managers for the first time.

[cowbell76]

I did a site interview a few months ago - flew out, stayed overnight, company paid all expenses. I think first and foremost it's just a way for several people to meet with you in person... nothing mysterious or unusual about that. You made it through at least one initial screening, perhaps over the phone, and now they want to get a better idea of what you're like. Do you seem like you fit into the culture? How do you interview when you're in front of someone, rather than on the phone, possibly with notes? Sometimes it's an opportunity for you to demonstrate work-related skills - I had to give a presentation. You would probably already know about that, though. I have also always had a sneaking suspicion that part of these visits - which usually include back to back interviews with a lot of different people - is to see how you deal with the pressure of travelling and meeting with so many people. I've also heard over and over again that companies will even ask drivers and receptionists for their impressions of you. This is an extended professional situation and they want to know if you remain professional.

Of course, even if you wouldn't be working at that site, it's also an opportunity for you to get a better feel for the company. Many times, only a few candidates for any given position are invited to a site visit, and in such a case it's an opportunity for the company to try to sell you on working there.

In my experience, while (of course) some of the people who conduct interviews at these site visits are people with whom you would work closely, and/or who have authority to make the hiring decision, some are just sort of throw-away interviewers... people with whom you will probably not have much or any contact in the course of the job, and who might not even work in a department which has much interaction with the department in which you'd be working. This isn't always the case, but this has been my experience. They seem to be added in to round out the day, to make sure you interview with a bunch of people. They can also, of course, still offer some insight into your behavior and responses.

[The Shepherd]

They want to see who you are and how you behave in a social setting. Even basement boys can come off decent in a resume.