Receiving an invite to interview is exciting as you’re one step closer to landing a great opportunity. It’s important that you are fully prepared for your interview as this will allow you to feel confident and perform at your best.
Taking the time to research a company plays a big part in interview preparation. Having good knowledge really shows the interviewer that you are serious about the job while also making you stand out from other candidates.
In an interview situation, knowledge really is power so here’s what you need to do:
One way to do this is via their website; have a good look through what is on there and make a few notes if that will help you remember key information. You should also spend some time looking for information about the company across the internet as you may come across information that is not featured on their own company website. You may be able to find news articles, social media profiles and reviews. If possible, we also recommend visiting one of their locations.
You should have good knowledge about the industry that you are hoping to enter and how that relates to the company you are interviewing for. Know their suppliers, competitors and their marketplace. Are their any industry specific news sites or magazines that you can look at?
It is not essential for you to know about your interviewer, but it is good to have a bit of an idea about who they are and what their role is within the company. Many companies have employee profiles on their website that you can check out, or you could even search for them on LinkedIn.
When it’s interview time you need to show off what you know. You can refer to your research when asking questions, as this shows that you have taken the time and effort to prepare for your interview. Don’t ask questions that you could have easily found out by conducting research, e.g. ‘How many locations does the business have?’
Remember, research is important not only in preparing for an interview but also in finding out if a company is right for you. Do their values fit in with your own? Do they interest you? Do they offer the progression/prospects that you’re looking for?
If you are in the process of applying for a job through us, then don’t forget to ask your Consultant for more information. They will have met with the client and can provide you with details about the opportunity before you attend an interview. They can also give you details of the job location, the skills and experience required, the size of the business and the salary.
Good luck researchers!
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