You've probably heard or read that you should prepare for a job interview by researching the company before you go in. It's good advice but hard to follow unless you know what you should be looking for. Here are some of the things you should try to discover beforehand, and where to look, so you'll be ready to make a great impression during your interview:
- Company news – Stay up to date on the organization’s latest happenings. Not only will you be prepared, but it makes a great conversation starter. For example, when they are walking you to the interview room you can start with, “I just read that you are about to launch a new product. Congratulations!” This shows that you have done your research on the company and have kept up with current events.
- Any competitors – Knowing about the type of competition the company is facing will help you answer questions like “What do you bring to the table?” and “What could we be doing differently?”.
- Your interviewer – Often companies will publish short bios of staff members. Check these out for common interests that can break the ice. Interviews are stressful and researching the person who is interviewing you can give you an idea of what to prepare for.
- Job description – Be sure to save a copy of the job description after you have applied. They may take it down by the time they call you in for an interview. You will want to review this to make sure you have all the skills and qualifications they have listed. If you don’t, be prepared to answer questions about how you will make up for your lack of expertise.
Interviews can be awkward, but by preparing yourself by knowing the company as best you can, you will be giving yourself a leg up on your competitors. Don’t limit yourself to just the company’s website. Be sure to do an internet search to see what is being said about the organization and any industry trends that might affect someone in that position.
About Kim Costa
how i’m i ever going to receive employment when my criminal background check is not very good. i have charges that are over 7 years old. non-violent. no one is willing to give me a chance, even when i offer to work for minimum wage for a period of time to prove that i can be a good employee regardless of my background.
Hi Herbert! I am sorry to hear things have been frustrating. We actually hear stories like yours a lot. Check out these articles: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/?s=felon I think they can really help. Also, have you thought about getting involved with a community organization, like Goodwill? They will have resources and connections in your area for people in similar situations.
I’m looking for my second job, I’ve had a job as a cashier but it was just for 2 months kind of like a starter job and that was in 2007-2008 but the interviewer always asks why I haven’t had a job since then I really don’t want to give them an answer they don’t like, or won’t hire me any advice? Truth is I really wasn’t looking for a job then but now that I know what I want in life and where I’m headed I want to reach my goals and have a bright future.
Hi Krystle! Employers will want to see what you’ve been up to in your time off. Were you in school? Volunteering? Learning a new skill?
Hi Kim!
Thank you for all the tips and help. I am happy that Macy’s invited me for an interview the following day Saturday 10/27/2012, after I’ve apply on Friday 10/26/2012. For all the job seekeers here’s my advice, hire a resume writer. I paid 149.00 for my resume but is worthed every penny. The resume is only 139.00 and the cover letter 10.00.
Regarding competition etc., if it’s a tech company for the government, find out what kind of contract they’re on. Is it short and task-specific? Or is it a blanket five-year engineering services contract? The latter allows them a lot more flexibility for moving you around and keeping you. There’s a public site, for example, where NASA discloses its contracts – who, when, for how long. Sometimes, that blanket contract is held by more than one company.
when a company hire you. you pass the drug test you pass the background test. buy you fail the physical. the sad thing about this is you fail the physical three times for the same company with differance positions. you think the company will give you a chance to fix this promble because they no you can do the job but they throw you under the bus. this type of thing will cause you to lose failth in people. i see why the bible says-blessed is the man that trusteth in the lord and whose hope the lord is. what i am saying is sometimes you cant count on people to help you. when your back is against the wall-ask the lord to help you.