Flying over for an interview

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After a couple of nerve-wracking phone interviews I've been invited to fly over for an on-site one, and as this will be my first real job interview I was wondering if anyone could help me build up some idea of what to expect, and give some pointers for someone with Aspergers and mild social phobia.

I've already read a lot about interview etiquette and went through a number of the advice threads here, but the whole business with the company booking me a flight and organising somewhere to stay the night before is unfamiliar and very daunting territory for me. Because of the weekend getting in the way I won't be given the details about that until next week, just a day before I actually have to go - so in the meantime, can anyone who might have been through something similar give me an idea of how these things typically play out? For example, do companies usually organise a taxi or something as well? Would someone meet me at the airport, or is it more likely that I'd just be on my own? I realise you can't give reliable answers without knowing about the company in question (and I'd rather not give out too much information), but even a list of all the possibilities would be better than nothing. I tend to deal with anxieties by running through all the possible situations in my head to prepare myself as much as possible, so the more I know about what might happen, the better.

The job I'm interviewing for is actually something I've wanted to do for years, but I never expected to get this far or so soon and am currently feeling way, way out of my depth. I'm really not sure I'm ready for it, so if I get rejected I won't mind too much. What I'm far more worried about is making a fool of myself or finding some other way to screw things up, so any tips or general information anyone can give will be greatly appreciated.

Over ten years ago I was doing the same, without knowing the details I can not tell you for sure what will happen but here is my advice.

Find out from the company if they have booked you into a hotel.

Make yourself look presentable, this might not be PC but you are less likely to get the job if you look like a scarecrow.

Navigate your way to the hotel and check in. Put your things in your room and get some food if you need it, it may be best to not get it in the hotel as hotel food can be super expensive.

Next if it is possible navigate your way to the place you are going to be interviewed, if it is a computer games company then I suspect that it will have a front door with security. This is the place which you need to find the night before. Now you know exactly how to get to the front door of the place. So that is one less thing to worry about.

On the day get up, eat breakfast and have a shower and shave. Put on your interview clothing and then go to the front door. Then explain to the person at the front desk that you have come for a job interview. Bring the letter in which they invited you for interview with you.

Try to stay calm, bear in mind that every single moment you are with the people from the company you are being interviewed. So no stupid wisecracks about anything.

Answer every question telling the truth but think before you open your mouth, they way that you express yourself may get you or cost you the job.

If you get rejected then do not feel too bad, by going through the interview process you will have gained experience which is likely to help you get another job.

In my experience the company gave me the option of taxi or rental car. I've done both - but I prefer the taxi the first time I'm in town because you don't need to navigate. If you go taxi, you may want to make a reservation for the day of the interview to make sure you get there on time.

Thanks for the replies, both of you. Trying to find the place the day before the interview is a good idea, but I'll be landing pretty late in the evening so I don't think that's feasible. I'll be sure to leave plenty of time for error the next morning, though.

I'm kind of hoping that by the time I get to the actual interview, I'll already have been yanked so far from my comfort zone by the stress of traveling alone that it might not feel too overwhelming. Usually my confidence builds a bit after I've been out on my own for a while.

Most important: Don't get nervous! A trick is that you go into the interview thinking that you already lost the job, so you have nothing to loose.

It can be also helpful to have a discrete look at early morning (you write that you have some time) the way the employees are dressed: The formality or lack of formality of clothing (suite, colour of suite, causal, etc.) can give a good indicator about the "office culture" of this particular company. Adjust your own clothing a bit: But still above the normal clothing of the employees, because employers assume that you will overdress for the interview, so they "reassess" your clothing. An example: All employee are entering in T-Shirt, speaker and jeans; in this case I would wear black jeans, dressing shoes, office shirt, tie and a more causal sakko of a suite. If the employees would appear in this previous described way (black jeans ...) than it is a good idea to overdress again with a formal black or dark blue suite.

You shall also not forget: This company is obviously interested in you: Otherwise they wouldn't pay for the flight and the hotel. Working for a company is not grace the company provides, but a contract between equal for mutual benefit.