7 Helpful Tips For The On-Site Interview
The on-site interview is usually one of the last rounds in a tech sales interview process.
By now you should have already done ample research on the company, practiced your answers for the phone interviews, and prepared a list of questions.
The difference between the on-site interview and the earlier stages in the interview process is that you will be in-person. So we want to prepare for this specific aspect by checking our physical appearance and mannerisms.
1. Dress appropriately.
Most interview advice will tell you to wear a suit and tie. But tech is different.
Especially at a startup, t-shirts and sneakers are the norm. Flannels and hoodies are also common. If you’re too overdressed, this will show that you don’t have much experience in the tech industry.
2. Double check the address.
If it’s an important enough interview, you might even visit the location a few days in advance.
At least look up the address on Google Maps and check that the name on the building matches the name of the company you’re interviewing with (smaller companies might not have their names on the building).
When in doubt, plan to arrive even earlier and make sure that you have your interviewer’s contact information in case you need to ask for directions.
3. Arrive early, but not too early.
Your interviewers will have full schedules. If you arrive too early, you will most likely be sitting in the waiting area until your scheduled interview slot.
At a startup with less than 20 people, this can become awkward. But it’s not the worst case. You can always take this time to review your research, questions, and answers that you’ve prepared ahead of time.
The worst case is arriving late. This is the easiest thing to control, and the quickest way to lose a job offer. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early (earlier if you’re traveling from farther away).
4. Bring a professional folder to hold your documents.
We’re talking about one of the fancy ones with a dark leather cover, multiple pockets on the inside, and a zipper around the edges. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
Just don’t bring a bright-colored paper folder that you have leftover from elementary school.
In the folder, you should have:
- No less than 10 printed copies of your resume.
- Notepad and pen.
- List of references and their contact information.
- Portfolio of relevant work (past sales performance).
- Questions for your interviewers.
- Research on the company.
- Answers for common interview questions.
When you sit down in the interview room, you should take out a copy of your resume and any other relevant documents, and place them on the table facing your interviewer.
Leave your research, questions, and answers in the folder, unless you need them to aid your memory.
5. Bring a notebook and pen.
We mentioned this as something to have in your professional folder, but it’s worth mentioning twice.
Taking notes during an interview is essential. It shows your interviewer that you are organized and it will help you remember important pieces of information throughout your multiple interviews during the on-site.
It’s also helpful to have notes to refer back to when you’re sending thank-you and follow-up emails. And the notes might help you prepare for your interviews with other companies.
6. Ask the right questions.
Read more here for a list of questions to ask during the on-site interview.
There are two questions in particular that are very important:
- Do you have any hesitations about my fit for this position that I can address?
- What can I expect for next steps in the interview process?
You should save these two questions for the very end of the interview. These are brilliant questions to ask in a sales interview because they are the exact same type of question that a sales professional would ask a prospect.
The first question encourages your interviewer to speak with candor about any doubts they might have in the back of their mind about your candidacy.
The second question sets clear expectations for the timeline moving forward and when you can follow up if you don’t hear back.
7. Make a final pitch for yourself.
This is a judgment call that you have to make yourself. Sometimes it’s not necessary. If the interview has gone well up to this point, sometimes it’s not worth the risk.
But it might be worth a shot if you feel that the company is still on the fence about where to hire you or not.
The on-site interview is likely the final round of the interview process. This is your last opportunity to prove that you’re the right candidate for the job.
If your interviewer has a response to this question: “Do you have any hesitations about my fit for this position that I can address?” Then that’s a good place to start.
Otherwise, wait until the interview is wrapping up, and then ask for permission to say one last thing.
Keep it short—sixty seconds at most. And sound sincere.
No matter what, make sure to exude excitement about the company and the position. This is a good time to compliment aspects of the company that you admire from what you’ve learned during the interview process.
If you’re at a loss for how to pitch yourself, reiterate how you are motivated, hard-working, coachable, and willing to put in the time and effort to be successful.