Black Collegian Career Center

The on-site interview is an opportunity for you, hiring managers and/or team members to get to know each other and make an informed decision. You will generally meet with several people who work in the department, are alumni from your school, or have held the position previously. Each of these groups has its own idea of what the position is and who should fill it. Your job is to learn as much as you can about these individuals and their expectations in the time allotted, usually 45 minutes or less per group.

After rounds of on-campus and phone interviews, you receive a call from a recruiter inviting you to corporate headquarters. You smile as you remember the initial interview, thinking about how you just knew you had nailed that one and were confident you would get a callback for an on-site interview. After calling your mama and your crew, you call the recruiter and calmly accept the invitation to interview at corporate headquarters. The recruiter tells you that you are scheduled to interview in their corporate headquarters a week from Thursday. Thoughts race through your mind such as: will you be able to get off work, or around that last final exam? Will they pay for you to travel to their location? What about the salary? After all, you have bills.

When interviewing at corporate headquarters, you must find out how the travel expenses are being handled. Many companies will foot the bill up front. However, others will ask you to do this and reimburse you. Still others use a combination where they will cover the hotel and airfare, then reimburse you for food, parking, tolls and mileage. Know what the plan is before you incur any expenses.

How will you get there? Naturally, your method of transportation depends on how far you are from the headquarters location. If you will be flying or taking the train, verify whether they will mail you a ticket or will issue an electronic ticket that you must pick up when you check in. Be sure to get a copy of the travel itinerary from the person making your travel reservations. This should include the airline, hotel and ground transportation information.

Prior to the interview, you should research the company. Check with your career services office for recent information the company may have distributed to them. Familiarize yourself with the company’s Web site. William T. Rolack, manager of Human Resources for Frederick Goldman, Inc. in New York City, and president of the New York City chapter of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources at, www.naaahr.org, recommends that you "learn the history of the business, including its founders, growth and market position. If possible, know your interviewer."

Several good sources of corporate information are Hoover’s Business, Standard and Poors, IMDIVERSITY.COM at www.imdiversity.com, and the corporate Web site. The Web site often provides the most current information about a corporation. Look at the entire site to gain an understanding of their product or service offering, competitors, market position, future goals and culture. This information will come in handy during the interview and will also help you to formulate several questions to ask your interviewers.

Regarding clothing, stick to the basics: what is comfortable and professional, and is aligned with the company’s dress code. Do not wear anything that will pinch, itch, requires frequent adjusting, or reveals any God-given possibilities that your mama would not want known. If you are unsure of the dress code, it is better to stick with something conservative.

I am not entirely in favor of the strict navy blue suit routine. For one thing, the navy blue "corporate ideal" is not for everyone. If alternatives, such as a nice gray, black or even a business-olive, are flattering and work for you, then go for it. Accessorize with something that complements you. Remember: you can let some of your individuality shine after you get the job.

As for "the hair question" students always ask me: keep it simple and well-groomed. Should you cut it? Weave it? Relax it? Braid it? Dread it? It’s up to you. As for dreads and braids for men, minority human resources professionals suggest you pull the dreads off your face if possible, and save the NBA-style braids for later. Corporate America has not caught up with your ‘hipness.’ Ladies, if you must have your nails done, get something basic—avoid extensions or designs. Gentlemen, if you must wear earrings, go for a basic stud earring, leave the hoops and dangly ones at home. As for anyone with tattoos: best advice is to cover them up. This is not a personal attack, just a reminder of the environment where you will most likely interview.

The rest is just common sense: shower, use deodorant, clean your nails, wash your hair, trim your mustache/beard, polish your shoes, fix your heels; do not fidget or bite your nails. This sounds very elementary, but the recruiting world is full of stories of candidates who, in their nervous anticipation, missed these important steps, and ultimately missed the job. Speak clearly and decisively and avoid using slang terminology. You have sacrificed and worked several years in college to have this opportunity. Make sure you don’t get in your own way.

By now, you should be ready for just about anything they throw at you. So be on time and be prepared to interview. Multiple interviewers? No problem. Working as a team with people you have never met to solve a complex business problem in a case study? No problem. Prior to arriving at the interview, you should have an idea of the length and structure of the interview. If the person who contacts you does not volunteer this information, be sure to ask.

You must project your confidence during the interview. Be honest, pleasant and don’t stretch the truth. Temper your eagerness, but let the interviewer know that you are the one for the job. Provide examples of this when responding to questions. You may also want to take notes during the interview, as this will help you to frame your own questions towards the end of the interview.

Companies are not legally permitted to ask, and you are not obligated to answer, questions about: your age, nationality/ethnicity, religion, marital status, childcare arrangements, sexual preference, criminal history, and disability status. They may ask if you have a legal right to work in the United States and if you need special accommodation for a disability in order to perform the job.

One of the latest trends in the corporate interview process is the behavioral interview. Using this technique, interviewers ask you open-ended questions to help determine whether you are a fit for their position based on competencies you have demonstrated with your past behaviors. The questions may focus on your leadership, time management, stress management, project development, independent thinking/initiative, communication and interpersonal skills. Be prepared to provide specific examples of the success you achieved within each of these areas throughout your college career and community activities. Highlight those capabilities and experiences you feel make you a perfect fit for the position you are interviewing for. Remember, you know you can do the job, and they obviously must have an idea you can do it, or you would not have been invited to interview.

When it is your turn to ask questions, be sure to highlight one or two things you are particularly interested in. The interview process is a two-way street, and you must determine if this is a fit for you. Is this really the company where you will be able to achieve some personal and professional goals? Your questions let the interviewer know that you are interested in the company and have done your homework. In this buyer’s market, companies expect questions, so ask them.

According to William Rolack, "During the interview, you should always look attentive. Your seating posture should be comfortable. Never interrupt the interviewer while that person is speaking. This would raise a red flag that you are not a good listener. When questions are asked, elaborate, but be brief."

If your interview involves a meal, pay attention to what the host is doing. Do not order the most expensive thing on the menu just because you think this is a corporate expense account, or don’t know any better. Never order alcohol or anything unfamiliar or messy. If you have allergies or cultural constraints that restrict your meal options, try to schedule your interviews so that they will not coincide with a mealtime. Most companies are fairly tolerant of special needs, so accommodation should not be too difficult. However, if the people involved will not work with you on this, it could indicate trouble ahead,

Once you have returned home from your interview, you should e-mail, regular mail or even fax a thank you note to the interviewers to show that you appreciated their time. It also provides another opportunity to restate your interest in the position. As for references, use professional references from people you have worked for, unless instructed otherwise.

Next, you will receive either an offer or a rejection letter. How do you negotiate an appropriate salary? You should have discovered some of this information in your earlier research about the company and competitors. In addition, the Internet and your career services office have information on salary ranges for various entry-level positions. Also, your alumni office may help match you with alumni in your field, who may be able to assist you. "No matter how the offer happens, by phone or e-mail, always return a confirmation letter. This letter should contain an acceptance, a thank you, and restate your interest in working with the new team," says Rolack.

When negotiating an offer, get information about the starting salary, title, anticipated start date, and whether they offer a signing bonus and relocation package. Many companies do offer relocation to entry-level hires and be certain to ask about it. Prior to the start date, you may receive your benefits information and orientation schedules. You must read this information thoroughly and ask any questions you have. If you receive a rejection letter, do not take it personally. Just remember: each ‘no’ brings you that much closer to a ‘yes,’ and perhaps the job of your dreams! So relax, be yourself, and go get that job!

Charanne M. Parks is a contributing writer living in New Jersey. She has nearly 10 years of experience developing diversity recruitment and retention programs for universities and corporations.