According to CNBC, having little-to-no knowledge of a company is one of the most common mistakes made during interviews.
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are expecting more and more out of their potential employees.
Employers don't have time to bother with job seekers who haven't done their research. If you don't take the time to get to know the company, why should they take the time to get to know you?
The more you know about the company, the more comfortable you will feel interviewing for them. Make sure you do your due diligence and watch your self-esteem skyrocket!
Doing your research shows employees that you really want this job and will do what it takes to get it. This is something that will set you apart from the rest of the competition.
Employers like employees who are self-motivated. Researching a company beforehand shows that you are willing to take the initiative to reach your goals.
If you want to be an employee with the company you're interviewing for, know as much as an employee of the company would know. Businesses will often create content about the company to build their online presence and attract more customers. This is good news for you because you can use this company information to your advantage.
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The key players of an organization are the people in charge: the CEOs, directors, chairmen, and other similar leaders. It's important to know who these people are because aspects of their personality often trickle down into the culture of the company. This can give you clues as to the direction a company might be heading.
This information can often be found on the company's website under the heading "team" or "staff" or by searching for the company on LinkedIn.
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Different companies look for different kinds of experience. A company that values innovation will look for an employee who is forward-thinking. A company that has more traditional values may look for an employee who supports tried-and-true methods. Identifying this key point will help you figure out if the company is a good fit for you
This information can often be found through job advertisements or openings the company puts out. By reading through a company's job openings, you can find out exactly what kind of employee it's looking for.
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You should always stay up to date on the affairs of a company you're interested in. Not only will this help you tailor your interview strategy, but it will also show your interviewer that you have an active interest in the company.
This can often be found by Googling "recent news" and the name of the company. However, if that doesn't yield anything, checking the company's website or social media accounts can result in relevant information.
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The mission of a company will vary from business to business. In order to gain a better understanding of a company, it's important to know what their overall goal is.
The mission is one of the easiest things to find. This will usually be on the company's website, often under the heading "our mission" or "about us."
Different employees thrive in different business environments. It's important to know what kind of culture a company encourages to make sure it would be a good fit for your own beliefs and values.
Searching the company's website and social media accounts will give you a good idea of what the company values. Another great way to find out more information is by searching job review sites and seeing what employees have to say.
Some great job review sites include:
Knowing who will be interviewing you is invaluable because it gives you a chance to figure out aspects of your interviewer's personality and use it to your advantage. For instance, if you're a marathon runner and know your interviewer is too, bringing it up in your conversation can help you build rapport.
Sometimes, whoever you have corresponded with at the company will be the one interviewing you. Other times, you may have corresponded with an HR representative or a recruiter. In that case, you can ask them who your interviewer will be, and they should have no problem letting you know.
You can then search that person's name on LinkedIn to see their work history! Google Scholar is another good tool to see if they are published in any journals.
According to Twin Employment and Training, 47% of interviewers said they wouldn't offer the job to a candidate if they had little knowledge of the company.
Job Descriptions
When it comes to hiring, every interviewer has an ideal employee they’re looking for to fill the job position. This is the employee who has the experience, the attitude, and the skills needed to get the job done. However, every company will have a different ideal employee they’re looking for, so in order to figure out what they want, take a look at their job descriptions!
Important points to look for include:
"Creative," "bold," and "innovative" are a set of keywords that let you know they're looking for someone who can think outside the box. "Motivated," "responsible," and "meticulous" are another set of keywords indicating that they're looking for someone to take on a leadership role. By identifying keywords in a job description, figure out who their ideal employee is and you'll be able to tailor your interview strategy accordingly.
Sometimes job duties differ from company to company, even if they have the same job title. An administrative assistant at one business might simply be filing paperwork while at another business, he or she might be settling financial accounts. Pay attention to the job duties outlined and apply for jobs that align with your own goals and what you enjoy. If you apply for a job with responsibilities you do not enjoy, the interviewer will know!
One of the best ways to get information about a company is by talking to people who work there. There are several ways you can reach out:
Keep in mind that what you hear about a company may be tinted with that individual's bias, and may not even be true. Use caution in repeating information that is negative or has not been verified.
Before going into an interview, it’s a good idea to educate yourself on a company’s finances. Not only will it help you figure out whether or not the company can afford to keep you around for another 5 years, but it will also help when negotiating your salary!
However, finding information about private companies can be a little trickier because they are not obligated to file annual reports.
When it comes to gathering information about a company, social media is one of your best resources. Because social media is meant to be fun and engaging for users, it’s a great way to get a feel for the culture of the company and what they stand for.
When preparing for an interview, it’s important to get inside the mind of an interviewer. When planning your interviewing strategy, keep it short, sweet, and simple. Only give your interviewer information that’s relevant to the position you’re applying for while also highlighting your strengths and skills.
A good way to do this is by anticipating the kinds of questions the interviewer will ask and planning your answers accordingly.
The research you’ve completed prior to this section will help you anticipate the kinds of questions interviewers will ask you. These questions will typically be about what you can bring to the company. When answering these questions, make sure to tailor your answers according to the company culture in order to prove that you’re a good fit!
Popular interview questions about the company include:
Interviewers will often ask questions such as these to figure out if you’re prepared. This is a good way for them to gauge if you’re serious about this job. These questions also let interviewers know if your personal goals align with the company’s. It’s important to them that they hire someone who will be a good fit.
Now that you know how to research a company, be sure to check out the accompanying Research Worksheet where you can fill out the necessary company information on your own.
Also, stay tuned for the second part of our exclusive training program: