How to prepare for an onsite interview: 9 tips for success

Landing an onsite interview is a huge step forward in your job search. Once you get the invitation, it’s time to start preparing so that you can make sure to impress in person. With a few tips and strategies, you can feel confident walking into the office and meeting with your potential future employer.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to prepare for an onsite interview so that you’re ready to shine.

What to expect at an onsite interview

By the time you’re invited to an onsite interview, you’ve already impressed the hiring manager. They’ve reviewed your resume and determined that you meet the requirements for the role. More than likely, you’ve also gone through an initial screening and perhaps done a phone or video interview.

For many employers, an onsite interview is one of the last steps before making a hiring decision. It helps them assess how well you may fit into the company. For you, it’s an opportunity to observe the company culture and meet the people you might be working closely with in the future.

Usually, an onsite interview takes place at the company. It often includes multiple meetings with various people, such as the department manager and team members. You may also meet with other employees, such as a human resources representative. Depending on the format, an onsite interview can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

How to prepare for an onsite interview

If you have an onsite interview coming up, the best thing you can do is prepare. Knowing what to expect can go a long way toward calming your nerves and making you feel more confident when meeting with a potential future employer.

Follow these steps to prepare for your onsite interview:

1. Do your research

Hopefully, you’ve already done some company research by the time you’re asked to do an onsite interview. At this point, you can take some time to refresh your memory on the organization. 

Make sure that you’re ready to speak confidently on different topics, such as these areas:

• Company culture

• History, mission, and values

• Products or services

• Customers or clients

• Recent projects or news articles

Beyond these topics, you should also have a thorough understanding of the role, including the responsibilities and requirements. Review the job description again so that you’re prepared to speak about the skills and qualifications that are most important to the employer.

2. Ask for the interview details

If the hiring manager hasn’t provided you with details about the onsite interview, you can call or email them to ask for this information. 

Before the interview day arrives, you should already know these logistics:

• Who and how many you’ll be meeting with

• The time and location of the interview(s)

• How long the interview(s) will last

• The interview format

• What you need to bring, such as work samples or a photo ID

3. Practice common questions

Meeting with an interviewer face-to-face can be nerve wracking. One way to boost your confidence is by practicing your answers to common interview questions.

Before the big day, make a list of questions that you think the employer might ask. Prepare your responses to these questions. Think about specific examples that you can discuss to showcase your strengths and achievements.

If you have time, do a mock interview with a friend or mentor. They can offer helpful feedback about your tone, delivery, and body language. Plus, practicing with another person can make you feel more comfortable when it’s time to meet with the actual interviewer.

Do

• • Practice speaking confidently about your experience. Describe times when you exceeded expectations or delivered great outcomes.

Don't

• • Memorize your answers word for word. An interview should flow naturally and feel like a conversation.

4. Prepare a demonstration or presentation

This step won’t be necessary for every onsite interview, so skip ahead if it doesn’t apply to you. However, some employers may ask you to give a presentation or demonstrate your skills, especially if you’re applying for a technical or high-level position.

These tips can help you prepare for an interview demonstration or presentation:

• Know the expectations. Ask the interviewer for some guidelines, such as how you’ll be presenting or the format of the demonstration.

• Practice in advance. Once you know how you’ll be evaluated, brush up on your skills or practice your presentation well before the interview day.

• Anticipate questions. Interviewers may have questions about your presentation or processes. Consider what they might ask you and how you can respond to their questions.

• Bring necessary materials. If you need any materials, such as notes or handouts, make sure that you bring those with you. You can also ask the hiring manager what technology will be available for your use, if needed.

5. Plan questions for the interviewers

An in-person interview can feel awkward if it’s just a one-sided conversation. Throughout the interview, you should also be asking questions to learn more about the job and the company. 

Prepare some thoughtful questions to ask. Tailor the questions to each person that you’ll be meeting with, such as HR representatives and potential coworkers.

Some examples of questions to ask at an onsite interview include:

• How do you measure success in this role?

• What are the team’s biggest priorities currently?

• What is a typical day like in the office?

• What do you like most about working here?

• How would you describe the culture and work environment?

6. Make plans for getting to the interview

The last thing you want to do is be late for your onsite interview. Before the day, decide how you will get there and what time you’ll need to leave. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early, so that you have time to park, find the entrance, and check in without feeling rushed.

If possible, do a practice run and travel to the interview site ahead of time, so that you know how long it actually takes to get there.

7. Choose a professional outfit

When meeting a potential employer, you want to make a good first impression. That includes dressing the part. Choose a professional outfit that’s in line with the company’s dress code. 

If it’s a casual office environment, aim for business casual to look polished yet approachable. If it’s a more traditional or formal industry, you may want to dress more business professional.

8. Pack the essentials

You’ll need to bring a few things with you to an onsite interview, especially if it’s scheduled to last the whole day. Have copies of your resume available for anyone who may not have it already. It’s also a good idea to bring a notepad and pen to take notes.

Some other essentials you may want to bring include:

• Water

• Snacks

• Breath mints or mouthwash

• Stain remover

• Eye drops

• Tissues

Do

• • Make sure that your phone is fully charged, especially if you’ll need it for directions or interview details. Bring a charger if necessary.

Don't

• • Forget to silence your phone once you arrive. Getting a phone call or text alert during an interview can be disruptive—or worse, make you look unprofessional.

9. Take care of yourself

It’s common to feel anxious about an onsite interview, so take care of yourself. Plan to get a full night of sleep before the interview and eat a healthy breakfast before you leave. 

Think about what else you can do to calm your nerves before the interview, such as listen to music or do a meditation exercise.

Tips for acing an onsite interview

Once you’ve fully navigated how to prepare for an onsite interview, keep these additional tips in mind for during and after your interview:

Show enthusiasm

Employers want to hire candidates who seem genuinely excited about working for their organization. Let your enthusiasm shine through while speaking with the interviewer and other employees. 

Even if it’s been a long day of interviews, do your best to keep your energy up so that you can make a good impression on everyone you meet.

Use the STAR method

When answering an interviewer’s questions, use the STAR technique to structure your responses. It stands for situation, task, action, and result. This framework keeps your answers focused and helps you show your value as a team member.

Get more advice in our article on how to use the STAR interview method.

Take advantage of breaks

If you’re meeting with different people over several hours, you should have the opportunity to take breaks. Use these moments to regroup, review your notes, and gather your thoughts. Go to the restroom, drink some water, or take some deep breaths.

Ask about the next steps

Before you leave the onsite interview, ask the hiring manager about the next steps in the process. That way, you know when you can expect to hear from them. 

You can also ask if they will need you to provide any additional information or materials, such as a list of your professional references. Learning this before you leave will make your follow-up that much smoother.

Remember to follow up

After the interview, don’t forget to follow up with everyone who took the time to meet with you. Send a personalized thank you email to express your gratitude for the opportunity.

If you can, point out a specific detail from your interview to keep it fresh in their minds. For example, you might mention that you read and enjoyed an article that they recommended in your conversation.

Do you have an onsite interview coming up? Get prepared with career.io’s Interview Prep tool. Practice questions, get customized feedback, and keep improving so that you’re ready for anything!

Key takeaways

1. An onsite interview happens later in the hiring process, after an initial screening or phone interview. It often involves meeting with multiple people and can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

2. Some tips for how to prepare for an onsite interview include doing your research, practicing common questions, and asking about the logistics, such as whether you will need to give a presentation.

3. Before the day of the interview, plan out how you’ll get there, what you’ll wear, and what you’ll need to bring with you.

4. You can impress a potential employer during the onsite interview by showing enthusiasm and asking about the next steps, as well as sending personalized thank you emails afterward.