Interview Success: Do your Homework

They say that knowledge is power. That never applies more than when you’re approaching a job interview, yet it’s surprising how many candidates turn up for interview with only a cursory understanding of the organisation they want to work for.

Don’t fall into that trap. Immerse yourself in as much information as you can on your prospective employer, and use that knowledge to highlight your potential. Find out when the company was established, what its core values are and the sort of people who work there. What products or services does it provide? What markets does it operate in? What challenges does it face?

Here are a few pointers to kick-start your research:

• Check out the company website: this is the obvious starting point. Most organisations have a website that provides information about the company and the products or services it offers. It may also yield details about the management team and archives of company news and press releases.

• Search the web: by entering the company name into leading search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN you’ll find other online references to the company. Look particularly for reputable news or business sites that mention the organisation.

• Study the marketing literature: the company’s marketing material will not only give you insight into the products and services the company offers, but also into their target markets and how they reach them.

• Talk to people: ask other people about the company. What sort of a reputation does it have? If you can, talk to someone who already works there. If you’re applying through an agency ask if they can put you in touch with a candidate they’ve already placed.

• Study the industry: look at recent editions of trade magazines and industry websites. Get a feel for the bigger picture, and your prospective employer’s position in it.

• Know the position you’re applying for: try and find out as much as you can about the job you’ve applied for. What will your responsibilities be? How will your performance be measured? Who will you be reporting to? How does your position and/or department fit into the overall organisational hierarchy?

• Know your interviewers: this is a trickier proposition, but if you can it’s worth finding out who will be interviewing you, and getting a bit of background information about them. Do you share a common interest, or come from the same place? Is there anything you can use to help build a rapport during the interview?

Remember you can never know too much – and the more you find out the more comfortable you’ll feel. Even if you don’t use all of the information you discover, the fact that you’ve done your homework will boost your confidence and is sure to impress your interviewers.