So, you passed the first review. The person interviewing you thought you might be a good match for the job and the organization. The following suggestions can assist you in planning and experiencing a more efficient second interview.

Preparing For Your Visit
Follow-Up
Accepting or Rejecting an Offer
Weighing Your Offer
Salary

Preparing For Your Visit

Travel Arrangements
If you are traveling out of town, be sure to make arrangements in advance. The company will usually pay your expenses. Be sure you know the logistics involved before you leave. Will the company representative make reservations for you (airline? hotel? rental car?), or are you expected to do this?

Expenses
Whatever the arrangements, be sure to keep receipts to turn in to the company's accounting office. Some companies reimburse you at the time of your visit. They "walk" your papers through accounting and give you a check at the end of the day. Don't expect cash. Other companies mail the reimbursement to you. If you are visiting two companies on the same trip and they have both offered to finance the trip, you should notify each company so that they may share the expense of your visit. THIS IS IMPORTANT. They expect you to make these kinds of arrangements.

Follow-Up
If you receive a verbal offer, do not accept it on the spot; ask for time in which to make a decision. Typically, the offer is extended in writing and will probably cover fringe benefits, moving arrangements, etc.

Letters of Appreciation
When you return home, take time to write a thank you letter. This will demonstrate your continued interest.

Employer Response
If you do not hear from the employer within three weeks, contact the employer by phone or email to inquire about your status.

Accepting or Rejecting an Offer
You usually can expect a written offer two to three weeks after the second interview. Verbal offers are not commonly extended. Some employers, when extending an offer of employment, require an acceptance or rejection by a given date (often a week or ten days after the date of the offer). Other employers leave their offers open-ended, requesting that you notify them as soon as you have made a decision.

If the employer sets a deadline with which you are uncomfortable, request an extension of time in which to consider the offer—a week or two is usually reasonable. Immediately recontact employers in whom you still have interest, and from whom you have had no response. Inquire as to your current status with that organization and explain that you are now under pressure to make an employment decision. Such an inquiry will prompt some employers to expedite the hiring process for you.

Ethical Considerations
Acceptance of an employment offer should be made in good faith and with sincere intention to honor the commitment. Do not accept an offer before you are ready. It is neither ethical nor in your best interest to accept a job and then a week or two later tell the employer, 'Sorry, I received a better offer." Employers need a firm commitment on your part in order to plan their staffing. It is also unethical to accept a permanent "career" job that involves training if your plans include returning to graduate school a few months later.

Weighing Your Offer
In considering the pros and cons of a job, the decision you make today is not necessarily the decision you will have to live with for the rest of your life (many people have three or four different careers in their lifetimes). The most important factor to consider is what you will be doing 40 hours a week! With whom will you be working? Will you enjoy the work? Will it provide a challenge? Will it provide you with the training and experience necessary for promotion to positions compatible with your goals? Salary, as long as it is in the range of current offers for similar positions, may be a secondary consideration.

After Reaching a Final Decision
When you have reviewed all your offers and made a decision, write your letter of acceptance (and letters of regret). Be sure to include your understanding regarding job title, salary, location, moving expenses and starting date.

Salary
It is important to be aware of current salary ranges for positions you are seeking. Some employers may ask you what salary you are willing to accept. Published salary information is available in the Career Resource Library. You can also check out our five-year salary comparison.

Understand that in addition to salary, compensation may include benefits such as health and dental insurance, sick and vacation leave and profit sharing. Remember, benefits increase your earnings (especially where profit sharing or bonuses are involved). Many employers also have regularly scheduled salary increases, commissions and bonuses, educational reimbursements, travel expenses, etc.

Discussing Salary with the Employer
If the salary offered does not meet your personal needs or is not competitive with similar positions you've searched, you may politely explain this to the employer and ask the employer to review the offer. Be sure to clearly state your reasons.