Most career centers and employment websites advise candidates to conduct company research before a job interview. Many job seekers leave their research to the last minute, however, failing to allow time for it to sink in. By investigating a company well in advance, you'll be better able to approach the interview feeling knowledgeable and relaxed.
Like any other type of study, company research requires time and effort. You wouldn't crack open a textbook for the first time the night before an exam and expect to perform well, and the same goes for a job interview. After all, if you are frantically trying to remember a fact you read an hour earlier, you'll be less focused on the interview itself.
The company research process need not be stressful or unpleasant. Start as soon as you schedule an interview by reading through the company website. Pay special attention to the "About Us" section and the "News" section; these pages will give you a clear idea about how the company wants to present itself to the world. Don't try to absorb everything at once, but begin to build your awareness of the company's products and services.
On a different day, run an Internet search for the company name. Add relevant news stories or blog posts to your RSS reader or reading list and read through them as you have time. Proceed gradually with company research to give your mind the time to assimilate each new piece of information. Take notes about important product launches or public crises; this information can help you position yourself as an asset during the interview. Eventually, you'll begin to form a fuller understanding of the company and its place in the industry.
Many companies use social media as a way to communicate with customers and build a more approachable brand. Dedicate a portion of your company research time to informal sources like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. Find company profiles and observe the tone and style of each post. Follow each profile so that you start receiving updates. This regular, low-level exposure can help integrate interesting facts into your consciousness. During the interview, you'll be able to refer to a specific Tweet or Instagram post that sparked your interest.
Advance research can also help you avoid embarrassing questions during the interview. According to CBS News Money Watch, you shouldn't ask questions that are easily answered with a Google search; doing so indicates to interviewers that you failed to do your research. Instead, use the valuable interview time to ask more in-depth questions.
Over time, you'll begin to draw conclusions and make connections between each piece of information that you find. A longer company research process gives your brain the time to spot patterns and trends, which can be valuable indicators about the company and its industry position. Like any other subject you know well, the information will come to mind naturally, allowing you to formulate comprehensive answers. It will also help you determine whether or not the job is right for you.
By starting the company research process early on in the job hunt, you can avoid the need to "cram" before the interview. Instead, you'll enter the meeting feeling cool and relaxed, confident in your knowledge of the company and its industry.
(Photo courtesty of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
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