Do you have an upcoming job interview? Want to be a stand-out candidate? Guess what, top candidates know a secret that helps them shine brighter than all the others. A crystal ball, you ask? Um… no. A relative working high up in the company? Well, maybe. But even without that advantage, candidates can still make a great showing. How? By researching the company before going in for the interview.
While first impressions are crucial, it’s equally important to be prepared and show that you know what’s up. Even with the best credentials and loads of experience, a candidate can make a bad showing by looking underprepared or, even worse, uninterested in the company. By putting on your detective hat and investigating potential employers, you’ll discover details about the employer that will better prepare you for any interview.
With the right research, you’ll better understand what the company does, what they’re looking for in a candidate, and more importantly, how to better answer interview questions and position yourself as the best candidate.
Heather Huhman, writing for Glassdoor, has identified seven areas you should investigate about a potential employer before your interview.
Job Interview Prep: Research
Click through for seven things you should research before walking into your next job interview, as identified by Heather Huhman, writing for Glassdoor.com.
Valued Skills and Experience
First and foremost, you should know what the company looks for in a qualified candidate. This enables you to position yourself as the best candidate for the position.
To discover the skills and experience the employer values, read between the lines of their job postings. You can also find out information on the employer’s career page to get an idea of the type of employees they desire. In addition, reach out to current employees who work there and ask them about what their employer values most in the workplace.
Key Players
The key players within an organization are those employees who hold important positions in the company. These individuals can be managers, department directors, and especially the CEO/president of the company.
You can find out who the key players of the organization are by reading the employer’s “About” page and employee bios. It’s also a good idea to check out what these individuals say on Twitter and LinkedIn to learn what employees say about the company online.
News and Recent Events
When you go into a job interview, it’s always a good idea to be knowledgeable about the company’s latest news and updates.
Most companies have a page on their website dedicated to press releases and events. This is a great source for you to find out information regarding the company’s latest news and updates.
Company Culture, Mission, and Values
Job seekers should be able to confidently say they’re a good fit for the company’s culture during any job interview. In fact, a Millennial Branding study says 43 percent of HR professionals believe cultural fit is the most important quality job seekers can have during the hiring process.
As you research the employer, pay attention to what’s written on their website regarding the company’s values and mission. You can also learn more about the company culture by following the organization on its social media networks.
Clients, Products, and Services
As a potential employee, you need to have an idea of the type of work you’d be doing once hired. By having a general idea of who the company’s clients are and the types of products and services offered, you’ll be more prepared for the interview, too.
To find out the company’s offerings, see the company’s website. You can also read through the company’s blog, case studies and white papers to give you a better idea of their accomplishments.
The Inside Scoop
To ensure you’re fully prepared for the job interview, websites such as Glassdoor help job seekers discover the inside details of a company that can’t be found on the employer’s website.
When using websites like Glassdoor, you can typically find information such as salary figures, employee functions and duties, company reviews, details about the hiring process, and more.
The Interviewer
Finally, you should find out who the interviewer will be. This will give you an advantage during the interview because you’ll have a better chance of connecting with them and sparking a meaningful conversation.
Now it might be a little tricky trying to find out who the interviewer is, but you should be able to locate the person’s name with a little investigation. First, try locating the person’s name from email you received regarding the interview. If you can’t find any information, reply to the email politely requesting the name of the person who’ll interview you.
Once you acquire the interviewer’s name, do some research on LinkedIn and Twitter. This will help you learn about the interviewer’s background, their position with the company, and even some common interests you both share.
