You have your resume ready. Your cover letter is perfect. You email it to HR and soon get a call back that the employer wants you to come in for an interview. Now what?
Now is the time to start digging in and doing your research. It’s time to kick your knowledge into high gear as you prepare to stand out as the winning team member the employer can’t help but choose.
What do you know about the company? What do you know about the person interviewing you? What is their mission statement? Do they have core values? What kind of environment do they provide for their team?
When you step into an interview with the employer and they know you’ve done your homework, you’ll stand out more than the majority of those interviewing. It says a lot about your willingness to go above and beyond, and employers don’t just want experience, they want employees with character.
Here are some tips on how to find the information about your next great employer:
Company Website
Hopefully the company you are applying with has put the effort into creating an appealing website for their customers. If so, you will be able to find some great content to help you on your journey of learning more.
Refer to the “About Us” section to learn who they are. Find their mission statement. Look for news they may have shared about accomplishments within the company. Do they have detailed description about their team members? If so, pick out a few highlights from each of them. Find out if they have more than one location.
If they’re offering information on their website in exchange for your email address, sign up and review the information, then make sure you tell them about it in the interview.
Need help perfecting your next job interview? Download our free guide, How to Create the Perfect Elevator Pitch today and WOW your next employer!
Google Alerts
When you sign up for Google Alerts, it allows you to get notifications any time the company’s name is mentioned on the internet. Were they in the news yesterday regarding an achievement? You’ll get the information quickly and can mention that information in the interview.
Were they mentioned in multiple news outlets? Let them know you read about it in several different places. They won’t expect it.
Social Media Accounts
Not every employer will have a Facebook page or Twitter account, but for many these days, Facebook is the norm. Research what information they are posting.
Do their pictures portray a specific dress code? What does their work environgment look like in their videos? You can learn a lot about a company’s culture through their social media, just as the emloyer can learn a lot about your culture through your social media posts.
Make LinkedIn a priority in your research as well. Though Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can give you an idea of the culture, LinkedIn can actually put you in touch with employees of the organization. Do you know who will be interviewing you? Learn more about him/her and don’t be afraid to send them a connection request.
Company Reviews
Are there employees who have left reviews on sites such as Glassdoor or Indeed?
What is the common theme being shared? Are they happy with the environment? The benefits? Their boss?
You want to be careful doing this though, because sometimes disgruntled employees can smear the company due to bitterness. Take everything with a grain of salt unless it’s a recurring theme, then you may want to reconsider the interview.
Industry News
Learn about what’s happening in the specific industry you’re applying in? Are there new changes in the industry you can strike up a conversation about?
What’s happening with the employer’s competitors? If there’s something you notice that makes the employer you’re interivewing with stand out amongst its competitors, congratulate them. Employers want team members who don’t just know the business, but the market and competitors too.
Need help with your job search?
Contact a Career Consultant at one of our 7 different locations throughout the Central Region today to learn more about the programs we offer.
Feel free to check out our online resume workshops, too.