You’ve applied to the dream job and you’re almost there. Your resume landed you an interview and now it’s time to seal the deal. So what’s the best way to prepare?
Here are seven tips on where all to go and how to research for an interview.
1. Company’s Website
This is obviously the first step in your research, where you can derive an immense understanding of the main objectives, core ideas and values that drive the company. Here, you will also get additional information about the products and services provided by the company.
Adding to that is the “Careers” section, which lists down the job opportunities available in the company, along with information about the minimum qualifications and skills they are looking for. You can utilise this to find out what they expect from their candidates and the kind of cultural fit they are looking for.
Now you have a bunch of things that you know they’d positively respond to, during the interviews. Make good use of that.
2. Google
The next best step would be to turn to Google, that would tell you if and why the company has been in the news, recently. This could be because of funding, introduction of new policies or change in the already existing ones, new associations and projects, plans of expansions, new hires in the senior management, and so much more.
The interviewer will be more interested in a candidate who is aware of the recent developments in the organisation. This shows that you’re serious about working for them, and this isn’t just one of the many interviews for you.
3. Social Media
Look up the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and any other Socia Media platforms that the company is actively present on. Judging from their previous and recent posts, you can get a deeper insight into the company culture, and the tone they are trying to set in the industry. This can also be one of the channels you can explore to keep yourself updated about the recent happenings in the organisation.
Some companies also publish videos, case studies, and experiences from their employees + clients, which will help you get a better idea, regarding if this is the right company for you, to be part of.
4. LinkedIn
Look up the interviewers on LinkedIn to check for common goals and mutual acquaintances, and take pointers to make the interview more personal.
In case you don’t know who will be conducting your interview, you can either call the organisation to ask, else you can look up the company’s LinkedIn page to take note of their current employees and get in touch with them to get some more information regarding the organisation and what they are looking for in potential employees.
5. Competitors
Possessing ample knowledge about the recent trends in the industry that the company is part of and being aware of the company’s immediate competitors shows that you are extremely invested in being good at your job, and bringing something substantial to the table when you haven’t even started as an employee at the company.
Note down the products and services offered by competitors, and ensure that you also add to that – how well do they compare to the products and services offered by the company you are interviewing for, pointers on how you can make yours better, what changes in what department you would like to incorporate and so on, so they know you are worth spending money on.
6. Financial Research
It is very rare for a company to publish their finances publicly, however, there may be some organisations that do so. This data many vary from the kind of profits made by the company, the losses incurred or the amount that the company hopes to invest for further development and different projects.
Knowing the financial information, if any has been shared, will also help add value to you as a potential employee. Oh, and this will also help you assess if there are any upcoming layoffs that are on the charts for the company so that you can plan your career graph accordingly.
7. Job Description
It is a no brainer to be thoroughly aware of the job you are interviewing for, and the qualifications, personality traits, body language, career plans, that will appeal to the interviewer. Make sure your CV is up to date and that you have at least three copies of it with you when walking in for an interview.
This article has been taken from Letsintern
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