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