| When you go in for a job interview, you're not just a | | | | interview success is about building rapport with the |
| candidate seeking a job. You're a potential problem | | | | interviewer. That's why it helps to find out something |
| solver and contributor. To play that role effectively, | | | | about him.Learn about his background -- educational |
| you must be armed with the right kind of information. | | | | qualifications and career progression are good starting |
| That's what pre-interview research is all about.Break | | | | points. Get an idea about his reputation within the |
| down your research efforts into four broad areas. | | | | organization.Find out details like his professional |
| That'll make it easier to manage and also ensure you | | | | affiliations, hobbies and family. Try to get a sense of |
| don't leave anything out.#1: Get insights into the | | | | his values and personal style -- what kind of person is |
| organizationThis is the best place to start your | | | | he?See if you have anything in common with him. |
| research.Obviously you should find out about the | | | | Whether it's hobbies, city where you grew up or |
| organization's products and services, the markets it | | | | anything else. If there is, it's easier to build rapport. |
| serves and how long they have been in existence. | | | | Even if there isn't, the fact-finding you've done will |
| Plus, you need to know their organization structure, | | | | allow you to conduct yourself appropriately at the |
| who the top management is, recent trends in | | | | job interview.#4: Be up-to-date on the industry and |
| growth, profitability and how their stock is | | | | professionThis is the big-picture context you must be |
| performing.However, to differentiate yourself, you | | | | aware of. Know about trends and developments in |
| must go beyond these basic facts.Find out a bit | | | | the career you've chosen.This is particularly important |
| about the organization culture. Learn about what they | | | | if you're changing careers. In that case, your focus |
| look for in employees. What areas are they | | | | will be on your transferable skills. You need to prove |
| expanding into in the near future?What are the key | | | | that you know what you are getting into and how |
| challenges facing the company? Are these the same | | | | your existing skills and experience will help you in this |
| challenges facing the industry as a whole? What | | | | new career / profession.Apart from mainstream |
| unique difficulties do they face?What do people | | | | news media, trade publications are a great source of |
| working there think about the organization? Is there | | | | information. In addition, seek out someone in your |
| high staff turnover, especially within senior | | | | network who can give you the inside scoop on |
| management? What do competitors think of the | | | | what's happening.At the job interview, you should be |
| company?Based on this information, try to think of | | | | able to discuss trends, career paths and the skill-set |
| what could be done to solve some of their problems. | | | | needed to succeed. You are aiming to convey that |
| What innovations could help them? What | | | | you have a firm grasp of what the industry and |
| contributions could they value?#2: Find out about the | | | | profession is all about and that you are prepared to |
| jobIn many cases, you'll have to wait for the | | | | function effectively.Learn all pertinent facts about the |
| interview to get all the job details. However, you | | | | industry. How profitable has this industry been over |
| need to do some digging beforehand.Who will you be | | | | time? What are the current growth trends? Is this a |
| reporting to? What is his / her background and | | | | mature, slow-growing industry or one of the newer |
| reputation?Find out about the general responsibilities in | | | | faster-paced ones?How important is your profession |
| the job. What are you expected to deliver on a daily | | | | to this industry? Is it a core profession or something |
| basis? What results do you need to achieve every | | | | that's peripheral to the industry's success?What |
| quarter, every year?Where does your department fit | | | | developments could disrupt growth and profitability? |
| in within the hierarchy? Who held this job before? | | | | These could be related to technology, distribution, |
| Why did he leave? How many people have held this | | | | changes in market preferences and much more.This |
| job over the past five years? Who are the people | | | | information will allow you to talk intelligently about |
| you'll be supervising?What are the biggest obstacles | | | | your industry and profession.Research is the base on |
| to performing this job well? What kind of person do | | | | which good strategy is built. Take the time to do it |
| they want for this position? What personal qualities | | | | well and you will have a considerable lead over your |
| are they looking for?You will need to tap into your | | | | competitors.Mary Brent is an expert on job |
| network to find answers. Look for leads into the | | | | interviews and careers. Her numerous articles offer |
| target organization and try to get introductions to | | | | valuable interview tips, good answers to questions, |
| people working there. The company's clients, vendors | | | | effective ways to write interview thank you letters |
| and bankers are also good sources of information.#3: | | | | and more. |
| Get to know about the interviewerA key part of job | | | | |