In tackling an interview you need to have all the relevant information regarding your prospective employer committed to memory. By doing this you will be able to converse confidently with the interviewer and instead of worrying about the basics you can concentrate on impressing. Articulating your familiarity with the organisation’s corporate strategy, mission statement etc. will show the interviewer you have done your homework and have a commitment to securing the position. Unfortunately there are no short cuts here; you just have to get your head down and do you research. It doesn’t have to be difficult though, simply follow these steps.
Go to the source
It has never been easier to study a company and how it works. The Internet has made hours in the library and endless phone calls a thing of the past. Virtually every company now has a website, (if not alarm bells should be ringing!) and though quality may vary, this is the best place to start your research.You will be able to gain an understanding about how the company actually works, personnel issues, recent developments, products and services, etc.
Most companies post annual reports and accounts on their websites that will give you a good idea of how healthy a company is and in which direction they are going. However, bear in mind information from a company’s website is likely to be aimed at shareholders, potential investors and clients and will therefore present themselves in an overtly positive light. It is thus important to extend your research above and beyond company literature if you are to get a more objective insight into the company you are applying to.
Do your Homework
The good news is you can extend you search and still stay in your chair!
Publications such as the Financial Times, and many business-orientated websites (for example www.hoovers.com) offer profiles of companies.
Make use of your network of contacts working within the industry to get a clear idea of the company’s reputation amongst clients and competitors.
Read trade magazines to learn about the top companies in the sector, latest trends, areas of growth, the impact of technology etc. Gaining a good knowledge of the industry you will feel confident in conversation with the interviewer and in addition, your research could point you in the direction of companies that you would not otherwise have considered.
Look after number one
Don’t lose sight of the fact that should you get the job, it is you who will be spending a significant part of your life at the company. Carrying out in depth research will give you a good idea of whether the organisation is somewhere you would like to work.
Does the company culture seem to be one in which you could thrive?
Can you see a clear career path in the company?
Is the likely salary and benefits package going to suit your needs?
It would be pointless – and impossible – to try to become an encyclopaedia of corporate trivia, but having a good general knowledge of the company and the industry in which it works will increase your chances of getting hired. In arriving at the interview adequately briefed you make a good impression on the interviewer, and can spend the time constructively talking about your background and the company needs.