Three Things to Know Before You Interview for a Job

When you're preparing for a job interview, it can be tempting to focus all of your efforts on your experience and education. By taking extra time to conduct additional research into the company and industry, you'll be better prepared to position yourself as a valuable asset to the company.

The Company's Current Situation

Companies hire new employees when they need extra help, either because an employee left or because a new position has been created. In order to present yourself as the perfect candidate during the job interview, you must understand the company's current situation. Do they need more support for a brand new product launch? Did the past employee quit under bad circumstances? If the employer has not been forthcoming, try to find a contact at the company while you conduct interview research. Run a Google search for news items to get an idea of expansion plans or recent crises. The more you understand, the more effectively you can respond. If an employee was fired for mismanaging the budget, for example, you might use the interview to highlight your history of responsible financial performance. If the company is branching out into a new market sector, you can mention the relevant marketing experience that will help you build a new audience.

Corporate Culture

A job interview is a good way to get the feel of a company, but in many cases, you're only exposed to a few supervisory employees. This brief encounter doesn't necessarily give you an accurate picture of the office atmosphere and the corporate culture. Before you arrive for the job interview, learn about the culture to see if it will be a good fit. Check out the company's website and social media accounts, looking specifically for articles about and pictures of employee events. Do employees socialize outside of work? Does the company host events to encourage relationships between departments? Be on the alert for positive and negative hints at the established culture; during the interview, you can ask questions about aspects that are exciting or cause for concern.

Interviewer Information

During the interview research process, CBS News recommends that you spend some time learning about the people who will be interviewing you. Look them up on LinkedIn and get an idea of their careers. Pay special attention to your potential supervisor and his boss. Are their career arcs something you would like to emulate? Are there any existing connections that you can refer to in the job interview, such as a common alma mater or a shared past employer. This type of research helps you determine whether or not there is room for growth at the company; if your immediate supervisor is a new hire, chances are good that he won't be leaving any time soon. It gives you connections to reference during the job interview, which can help you stand out from the crowd. As an added benefit, it will also help you get an idea about how company employees present themselves in public forums.

By spending time researching the company and its employees, you can arrive at a job interview with a more informed perspective. As a result, you'll be able to give more relevant answers and offer more persuasive personal anecdotes to convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job.

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