Research These Five Things Before Your Interview

Job interview preparation is stressful, but there are steps you can take to relieve some of the pressure. Make sure your resume is up-to-date, choose a professional outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident, practice common interview questions until your answers sound natural, and research the organization so you have a good understanding of how it operates. Research these five things before a job interview to increase your preparedness.

1. Company’s Mission Statement

Make sure you have a general understanding of what the company does before you go into the job interview. This gives you a better sense of how you can help the organization achieve its goals and lets you direct your answers to focus on what benefit you can provide to the company. To find the company’s mission statement, check its website for an About Us or Missions and Goals section.

2. Employees in the Organization

Do some research on employees who already work for the company. Check the organization’s website for a Meet Our Team page, and read the biographies of some of the company’s top managers. Search LinkedIn for other employees who work for the organization to get a sense of their values and professional achievements. This provides valuable insight into how to present your accomplishments during the job interview.

3. The Company Culture

You can learn a lot about a company’s culture by browsing its website, reading recent news articles about the organization and viewing its Facebook page. Learning more about a company’s values gives you an advantage during your job interview. Use the time to explain how your values, experiences and achievements fit within the hiring organization.

4. Products and Services

Do plenty of research on the products and services a company offers. Read customer reviews to find out what clients like about the organization and to learn what improvements are needed. If it’s possible, try the product or service yourself; this gives you firsthand knowledge for the job interview, so you can explain to the hiring manager what you can do to help the organization improve upon customer satisfaction.

5. Financial Statements and Reviews

Dig into the organization’s financial reviews, try to find published financial statements and review its stock market history. This gives you a general idea of the company’s success and growth. If the organization’s stock seems to be dropping, it’s likely it is looking for innovative ways to boost sales. If stock prices indicate the company is booming, the organization may be trying to keep up with rapid growth. This information gives you a good sense of how you can help the company achieve its goals and meet its needs.

When you research the organization before going to a job interview, you’re better able to determine what the company wants in an employee and what the job entails. Knowing these vital details lets you focus on your skills and qualifications that are most related to the company’s needs.

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