Site visit?

[sox22]

Hey everyone,

 

I'm a soon to be new grad (graduate in December) who has been applying to jobs for a few weeks now.  The other day I received an email response from one of the jobs I applied to and it seemed to express their interest in me as a candidate.  The email included some compensation/benefits information and asked me to reply with any questions, stating a site visit was possible.  I replied, thanking them for the information and again expressed my interest in the position as well as saying I would appreciate the opportunity to come visit to discuss the position further.     

 

Fast forward a few days and I received an email from another individual saying they were aware that I would like to come for a site visit and would love to schedule it for me.  Anyway, I am wondering if this "site visit" is essentially the same thing as an interview?  That is my assumption, but I have never heard this phrase used before and the wording just seemed a little strange to me.  I obviously don't want to ask the contact this question, so any advice would be appreciated!  

 

Thanks! 

[rev ronin]

Yes, I would recommend preparing for a site visit as if it were an interview, even though it may not quite be.

[Lauren R]

Yes, treat that like an interview.  Rather than just interviewing with an HR person in a place separate from the facility, you'll get a tour of the facility you're actually working in.  You'll get to see how they actually run their practice.  They're hoping you'll be as interested in their practice as they are in having you join it.  So generally, they'll ask you questions and you will ask them questions.

[moestown1016]

I did this after my interview. Asked them if I could come hang out for the day. They seemed to like that. I spent the day with them, got excited and told them I would like to work for them. Or something. Then preceded to take the first offer, not negotiate and worked for not a lot the first couple years. But they spent so much time training me it was like being in school - super good experience.

 

 

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[UGoLong]

It's a great idea. Depending on the place, you might get a chance to spend some time with providers actually seeing patients. We do that sometimes for people we are interested in hiring.

[sox22]

Thanks for the info everyone! They actually asked if I wanted to come for a site visit and I haven't had any previous interviews with them.  I have asked them what a site visit entails and I'm waiting to hear back.  Most people have told me to prepare as if it's an interview and that there is a good chance that at some point during the visit, there will be some sort of formal interview process.  

[mgriffiths]

All of my "interviews" have been site visits, preceded by a phone interview.  Honestly, none of my "interviews" have been thorough or as formal as when I interviewed for teaching positions or other jobs.  It seems to me they are much more focused on getting to know me and seeing how I interact with others than asking questions like "how did you handle a difficult patient," or "name your favorite animal."  (Yes, I received both of those questions in multiple PA school interviews.)

[Poetsiren]

I had 2 phone interviews with one place before a "site visit" - first phone interview lasted 15 minutes, and the second was with the physicians of the practice and lasted 30 minutes.
I was told I was going to have a site visit and they seemed very eager to hire me and made mention of wanting to rush hiring along.

I arrived for my site visit and it turned into a full interview and tour and lasted AN HOUR......and they seemed to even have forgotten who I was.....

 

ALWAYS assume it's an interview. You'll be better off for it.