Use Research to Come Up With Three Questions to Ask Your Interviewer

One of the most common interview mistakes is when an applicant doesn't ask questions because he neglected doing research. Generally, toward the end of the interview, the interviewer asks if the applicant has any questions — and most applicants say no. Not having any questions prepared or coming off as unknowledgeable may give the interviewer the perception that the applicant didn’t do any prior research or lacks interest in the company or the position.

Researching the company beforehand allows applicants to feel confident and enjoy their interview without being nervous, overwhelmed or unprepared. As soon as an applicant schedules an interview, he should begin doing research. This doesn’t mean leaving it for the night before — like any type of research, it must be done a few days in advance so that the applicant isn’t cramming for his interview the next morning.

Another key aspect to doing research about a company is to look to multiple sources for information. Though the company website often has pages that include news and a profile, looking at articles or Google search results pertaining to the company can help an applicant formulate even more questions and acquire unbiased information.

Plus, any negative news or reviews can be used to determine whether or not the interview is even worth pursuing. Searching for a company on a site such as GlassDoor can help potential employees get a feel for the way previous employees felt about the company and how they were treated.

Doing research helps the applicant appear prepared, but it also helps the applicant avoid embarrassing questions that can be answered easily with a Google search. Instead, the applicant should focus on the company’s recent news, such as product launches, and ask questions about certain procedures.

Applicants should come into an interview with three or four questions prepared. Some in-depth questions that other interviewees may not ask can be derived from the investor relations and stockholder sections on the company website.

Another excellent idea for doing research is to conduct an informal interview with a current employee by reaching out to her on social media or through email. More often than not, if done through email, it gives the applicant a chance to ask questions about the company environment and relationships with its employees.

Starting the process early in the job hunt allows the applicant to feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the company with which he is interviewing. While the questions an applicant asks might vary from company to company, one essential question that applicants should always ask is whether the interviewer believes he is successfully qualified for the position. One way to avoid embarrassing or even detrimental interview mistakes is by doing research of the company beforehand.

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