Do Your Homework Before the Big Interview
Page 1 of 2
Once upon a time -- three years ago -- a job seeker landed an interview, skimmed the prospective employer's annual report, wowed the hiring manager with a few company facts and strolled into his dream job.
by John Rossheim
This fairy tale rarely comes true these days. With employers controlling the labour market, candidates have to give it their all when preparing for interviews. And that includes mounting a broad and deep search for relevant information about the position, the company, the industry and even the interviewer. Luckily for you, diverse resources, many of them free or cheap and available on the Internet, enable you to achieve that competitive edge if you're willing to put your nose to the grindstone -- or computer monitor.
Employers' Web Sites
Your prospective employer's corporate Web site is the best place to see the company as it wants to be seen. Do check out that annual report, but also look for a “press room” or “company news” page that links to recent news releases. As you mull all this information, consider how the open position, as detailed in the job posting, relates to the company's mission.
But don't stop there. Use the company site's search facility to query the names of the hiring manager and any others on your interview dance card. You may retrieve bio pages or press releases that give you insight into their most visible activities at the company. “Learning about the interviewer is probably the most valuable thing you can do,” says Ron Fry, author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions.
