One of the biggest interview blunders is a lack of preparation! Here are a few areas you will want to be sure to research beforehand.
Company Background
First, you will want to ensure you know the basics about the company. Read their about page on their website, and check out their social media profiles, especially Facebook and LinkedIn. You should be able to answer questions about the company. For example:
- Where was the company started and when?
- How large is it?
- Is it local, national, or international?
- Who are the big players in the company?
- What industry is the company in?
Even if these questions seem basic, don’t make assumptions. If you assume a brand is national but it turns out to be larger in the international markets, that could be an embarrassing interview mistake.
Products and Competitors
Researching the company’s full range of offerings as well as competitors shows that you are well-informed about the industry and improves your knowledge of the employer. Consider researching the following:
- What products or services does the company offer?
- What are its main competitors locally, nationally, internationally?
- How does the employer differentiate itself from its competitors?
- Which company has the largest market share of the industry?
Recent News
Finally, search around for recent news and press releases from the company. You should be knowledgeable about their current projects and developments, especially since you’d be working on them if hired. Some questions to answer include:
- What projects are they working on now?
- Have they recently had any structure or organizational changes?
- Have they recently closed or stopped production of anything?
- What is being said about the company?
- What are the company’s recent promotions?
Armed with this knowledge, you should be much more prepared to discuss the company and how you can add value to it.