Most importantly, don’t try to appear more knowledgeable than you are. But being aware of subtle facts, details, or recent and relevant developments can place you way ahead of the other guy who comes into the interviewer’s office and asks, “So, what does your company do?” or worse, “So, when do I get to see the ivory towers?”
Moving on to the Company…
Okay, you have gotten a grasp of the industry of Ivory Towers Office Furniture. You have looked at the forest, and now it is time to check out the tree. My guess is by now you have read through the most relevant material on the company’s website. But there is much more to learning about an organization than simply reading their brochure, or even their annual report (which still should not be overlooked)!
Some of the Gale databases will have lots more information about the company, especially if it is publicly owned. Other resources, including Hoovers Online (Hoovers.com—it’s subscription based as well, but they do sell individual subscriptions as well as organizational), can provide a wealth of additional data, which include new product developments, financials, officers (many with biographical profiles), as well as objective information about the company itself (how it was started, the culture, etc.). While you may not want to shell out money for a subscription, it would be worth your while to access Hoovers Online if it is available through your local library.
Here’s an easy method: Google search. When performing any kind of Internet search, be sure that you include specific names and expressions in quotation marks—that tells the search engine to seek out the specific words in the specific order, leaving out stuff that isn’t relevant. News feed databases will also tip you to what others are saying about the company, its officers, and its products. For a great news feed, check out Moreover.com.
Here again, you are NOT attempting to become an expert. But you don’t want to go in there and expect the interviewer to spend the whole first half of the discussion telling you about what they do (and very many will do this anyway, either out of habit or to break the ice—and be impressed by what you already know).
It is easy to get caught up in all the electronic means of gathering information, to the point that we forget one of your most valuable resources:
the people you know. Who do you know in your network of contacts who might be able to provide some additional “inside information” on the goings-on at the company? Talk to others you know and start asking questions and networking (for more information on this topic, check
 |
The above is an excerpt from The Last Guide to Interviewing You'll Ever Need, which is available for sale for $17 in our bookstore or for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. Students know that good experiences helps to build a good resume and that good resumes help you land interviews, yet how many of us have been shown how to interview well so that we can get hired? Written by Keith F. Luscher specifically for the job hunting students who use CollegeRecruiter.com. To get hired, you must know how to interview well. Read this book and you will. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter. |
