Heading to an interview for your dream job? If you want to land it, you need to spend some time researching. When you do, you’ll be able to ask more insightful questions, impress the manager, and tailor your responses around the company and its hiring needs. This will help you to stand out and hopefully get the offer. Here are some areas to research and know about ahead of time.
Why Is Research Important When Interviewing?
What the company is looking for.
Read through the company website and social media profiles to find out about challenges they’re facing or skill gaps they have. Also take another look at the job posting.
This should give you a good sense of the skills and experiences that are most important to the role and to the company. If you know anyone who works there, reach out and ask for their insight.
Who they serve.
Another key area to know about is the company’s customers and their competition. This will give you more insight into the issues and challenges that are most relevant and where you can play a part if hired.
What their products and services are.
It’s also important to have a general understanding of their services and/or products. If there is one, in particular, you’d be working on if hired, then dig deeper to gain as much knowledge as you can through research. You’ll be able to ask better questions and formulate more persuasive answers.
Any recent news and developments.
Did the company just launch a new product? Did they recently go public? Is there an important trend that’s happening in the industry? Knowing about company news, as well as industry insights, is important before heading into your interview. You’ll have a bigger-picture understanding of the organization, where you fit in, and the value you can offer.
The company mission and vision.
Every company is unique and has its own vision and mission. Read what theirs is before you go to the job interview. You might even be asked about it by the hiring manager – which is why it’s important to have an understanding of both. This will also help you to answer questions in a way that connects the dots between your experience and why they should hire you.
The leadership team.
Another area to dig into is the leadership at the company. Who holds key positions, and what are their backgrounds? Also, research the individual you’d be reporting to if you got the job. Read through company employees bios and more, as well as what employees are saying on sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Glassdoor.
Get job search help.
If you need help finding your next job, turn to Future Force. As one of Orlando’s top temp-to-hire staffing agencies, we can give you the inside scoop at potential employers, so you can make a more informed decision about your next role. With temp-to-hire, you can even try one out before committing to a full-time offer. Search our jobs now to get started.
