Well done for getting a job interview. Now before you go, there are some things you can do to maximize your chances of landing your dream job. This one thing is so simple yet often missed out by job seekers and if you don’t do it, recruiters will be able to tell and it’s unlikely you will pass the interview. What is it?
Researching the company!
It’s surprising how many people turn up to job interviews without properly looking into the company they are applying for. It’s a great way to calm the nerves as you feel more familiar already and it looks good to employers that you bothered to research.
Let’s get started…
• Scan the company website to try and find out things like: how long has the company been in business? What are the company policy and values? What exactly do they offer? Go through every page so you don’t miss a gem of info.
• Read recent press releases. Being up-to-date with their company news will demonstrate that you are a thorough person and that you are truly interested in the company, not just looking for any job. If recruiters say ‘We have recently expanded internationally’ you would already know this and could say something like ‘Ah yes I read that in your latest press release, that’s very exciting news.’ Recruiters would know that you are interested, as you did some homework and researched their company info.
• Browse the blog. The blog usually has a different tone compared to the rest of the company literature, so it’s usually a good place to get a feel of the company on a more personal level. What kind of subjects are they posting about? Do they feature anything about the staff or founders story, or more background info that you can’t find on the rest of the website? Familiarize yourself with all this so you can feel like you already know the company before you go. It’s far more nerve-wracking to turn up to an interview without knowing much about the company, especially if the person next to you clearly did their research.
• Check social media accounts including Linkedin. Take the opportunity to show your support for the company by linking with them on social media and liking/following their pages and posts. A company’s social pages can give you more insights into how the company likes to be presented and it can be a good place to view any feedback from clients or customers.
• Go visit. If you have never been to the location, make sure you go there before to find out where it is and how to get there. This part of your research will help you visualize arriving to work there every day and ensures you won’t be late or in a rush when you arrive to your interview.
• Finally. Read the job description and requirements again carefully before you head off to the interview. This shows that you are keen and pay attention to detail. Plus, you can see exactly what the recruiters are looking for and prepare yourself for questions they may ask about your experience relating to their requirements.
When competition for most jobs is fierce, you must go the extra mile to give yourself the best chances of landing your dream job. Improve your interview skills on every level, starting with showing initiative and interest for the job by researching the company thoroughly.
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