Finally Got an Interview? Do Your Research!

Well, you've come this far. You did your homework on how to write a gripping resume and now you've landed yourself an interview with... what was that company's name again? You'd better know that - and a whole lot more!

Getting ready for an interview requires skill and due diligence if you're serious about working again. Not only is it important to help you stand out in your interview, but it's also important because you want to make sure it's the RIGHT company for you. Don't you? Getting a paycheck is important, but so is your personal happiness and well being.

Here are 5 things you can do to get ready for your next interview:

1. Research the Company
   Look at the company's website. Read about the management team. Read their profiles and accomplishments. What does that company do? How do they earn their money? Who do they compete with? How are they different? What is their position in their market? Are they public or private? What is the company's mission statement? How does any of it relate to you and your personal mission? You've said the right things in your resume, now prove that you did your homework when you sit down with the hiring manager.
   
   
2. Use Your Professional Network
   Use LinkedIn to find "ins" through your professional network. It's easy and you probably already have an account. If not, create one now! Remember the management team you read about when you were researching the company's website? Well, now's the time to search for those people on LinkedIn. If they have profiles, you'll immediately be able to see if you have any common links with those people in your own professional network. Use your network to reach out and learn more if you can.
   
   
3. Talk to Someone Who Works There
   Now a days, many people find jobs through referrals from family, friends or colleagues. If their telling you about a job opening it's because they know someone who works there (or they, themselves, works there). Get to the person who works there and ask questions about the company's culture, about the work experience, about training opportunities and career advancement. They will talk, you just need to ask.
   
   
4. Find Out Who's Interviewing You
   If you can find out the name of the hiring manager prior to going in (ask the HR person that set up the meeting with you) you may be able to find out something about them prior to the interview. Check LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google their name. Find out what groups they're affiliated with, what certifications they hold and what their professional accomplishments are! There's nothing that makes you stand out more than one or two strategically placed compliments about the hiring manager's accomplishments (just don't over-do it).
   
   
5. Be Honest About Your Accomplishments and Goals
   Don't lie. If you over-embellish on your professional accomplishments, good hiring managers will sniff you out faster than you can say, "can I get a bottled water?" You need to be confident, yes, but you also need to be humble and talk about your accomplishments honestly. Don't take all the credit, for instance, if it was really a team effort that helped grow sales to $85M in your last sales job. If you do, you better be ready to answer SPECIFICALLY how you did it. Do some soul-searching and figure out where you want to be in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years. And let that hiring manager know.

After all, it's your life and your career. You get out of it what you put into it, like anything else in life. With a little extra work, you can make sure that not only are you interviewing with companies whose goals align with yours, but that you are at the top of the hiring manager's list in a very competitive job market. 

Questions or Comments? Please post them here or email josh@resumeguy.com.