What does job interview “shadowing” entail?

Katie: What does job interview “shadowing” entail?
I am “shadowing” all day at a Marketing Agency in NYC tomorrow and I have no idea what is expected of me. I know how to dress. . .but what else? Do I have to do things? Will I be tested? Or do I just follow someone around? This is the second part of the interview. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Joni H
Normally job shadowing does not involve testing, and it involves very little work. It’s usually just following someone around. (In fact, I believe that for legal reasons they can’t ask you to do any work, because they aren’t paying you. It would be a violation of NY minimum wage law.)

Mostly, job shadowing is an opportunity for them to see how you interact with others. You’ll want to be friendly & personable. Ask some open-ended questions about the work, but don’t make a pest of yourself. Avoid talking too much.

It’s also an opportunity for you to see what an average day on the job is like, and if you’d want to work there.

I will admit that job shadowing is fairly rare as an interview technique. Usually it’s used with unpaid interns, or as training for new employees.

Answer by pabloViRUS
You will just be seeing what the workers there do, or what you will soon be doing, so congrats 😀

Answer by Jeff T
They want you to follow one of their employees around all day.

You get to see what their day is like (is it high energy? creative? are they all jerks who can’t wait for 5PM? Are you?)

Regardless of what they call it, if it’s part of your job interview, they’re trying to figure out if you’d fit.
And with it being a marketing agency, they need to know if you’re a people person who can collaberate in a brainstorming session, or a nerd who needs to be alone in a cubicle.