A critical, but often overlooked, step before you go into an interview is to ensure you research as much as possible beforehand about the company, the job you are interviewing for, and the interviewers. Having detailed knowledge about the company and people that you are interviewing with will increase your opportunity to “ace” the interview and get the job offer you are looking for. Here’s a short list of questions you should be asking in each of these categories:
Company – Research the history and performance of the company. Thoroughly review the website and their internet presence. Ensure you understand the current business environment and any recent news or current events related to the company. Review their product / services and identify their value proposition to their customers. When was the company founded? What is the company’s recent financial performance? What is their short-term / long-term business strategy? Have they been in the news? Who are their competitors and how is the industry they are operating in? Your ability to get answers to all of these questions will depend on the size, type, and age of the company.
Key resources:
The Job – Find out as much as you can about the specific job as well as how the opportunity compares to others in the market. You want to know why this position is currently open. Are you replacing someone or is it a new position? What are people making in comparable positions at other companies? Does this position have growth opportunities? What tools or skills do you need to be familiar with for this position? You many not be able to answer all of these before going into an interview, however you should identify the open questions so you can address them in your interview.
Key resources:
- Indeed
- Salary
The Interviewers – Do your best to find out about the people who will be interviewing you. By doing simple research on the internet, you can put yourself at a strong advantage when meeting with people for the first time. “Googling” each interviewer’s name is the first place to start, but Linkedin and Hoovers (if you have access), are two excellent tools to help you research the individuals you will meet, as well as other key personnel in the company. Also by getting a feel for the people you are meeting with you will be able to make the interview more personable and comfortable. You want to identify common areas that you can use to connect with the interviewers such as similar work experiences, schools, interests, etc.
Key resources:
- Hoovers
Being fully prepared can make a huge difference in an interview. An interview is not the time to “wing it”. Do your research and be prepared. Interviewers can easily recognize prepared candidates, and you will absolutely “stand out against the competition”. Research is a key step in getting your ideal next job. Good luck!
