Job interviews are the first step any applicant has to go through. A lot of times, when the employer sees you lack knowledge about what the company offers, you will be shown the door, costing you the job.
Job interviews can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. The only way you can get past your fears is to come in prepared. There are several ways to do this, you can search for basic interview questions and come up with memorized answers. You can also dress comfortably.
Although these are all essential, the first thing you need to know about is the company you are applying for. Get to know as much information as you can before you even accept the interview invitation. Here are some things you need to know about your future employer.
The Skillset They Need
Each company has its own preferred set of skills or talents to look for when hiring an applicant. This varies depending on what services they offer or the company’s culture.
When you are aware of what type of applicant they prefer, you can prepare to position yourself as the best contender among the rest. How do you do this? Make sure that you read what the job position entails. Usually, companies have already laid out the requirements they need. So, before even applying, see to it that you have what it takes to get hired.
Another way to do this is to consult present or past employees of the company. Ask them what the company is looking for when it comes to professional experience or work ethic. Moreover, you can also do a background check on the company’s career page when you are quite shy to message employees personally.
The “Huge” People
Companies are run by “huge” people in the industry. This means that a certain CEO, president, founder, manager, among others have a have a big say on everything that the company works on.
It is not enough to know their names alone. What matters most is being knowledgeable about their background as a professional. For example, you can research how the founder came up with the idea to establish the business. Or you can find out the clients that the company has worked with before. This way, you will also have stored information on whether the company specializes in the field you want to work with and how they excel in the industry compared to competitors.
The Culture
Before attending job interviews, the usual factors people consider are the salary, professional growth, and location of the office. It is rare that they search what type of culture, mission, or values the company holds. This is something that every future employee should know as it can determine how well they can work with the people in the company.
Of course, everyone should adjust accordingly to any type of working environment. However, it is better to know what kind of culture the company observes so you can prepare yourself for the possible difficult situations that may come along the way.
The Latest News
You researched the company. Congratulations! But did you just read their website and nothing else? When you do this, you are not making yourself different from other possible candidates. Company websites are not the only source of information or news. Sometimes, their websites are not even up to date. So, the things you may read are already from years ago.
So, before going on job interviews, Google the company. Find out as many information as you can. Whether the business has just opened a new branch or a new product is on the way. This way, when you are asked about the company you can inject some new facts.
The Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Knowing the company’s USP can create an impression that you are already thinking like an employee even if you are just still being interviewed. A USP is something that your company offers that others may don’t. This also means a type of product, service, or trait that benefits the customers the most.
There are several ways to know this without getting inside the company’s servers. The best way to find out the USP of any business is to check out the products and services they offer, and their mission or vision. Then, try to analyze the reason why these things are important for the company. You may not exactly hit the checkmark but you may have some good points to share.
The Interviewer
Researching your interviewer does not mean that you will act “close” to them so you can get hired. That is not the right way to do things. However, knowing who your interviewer is can make you feel at ease in answering their questions.
You can find out their background through a Google or LinkedIn search. You can also try your luck to search for their name on social media sites. When you already found their profile, try to inform yourself about their educational and professional background. You may find out that you actually share the same interest.
When this happens, you can try to inject a few notable facts that both of you share. Just a tip, do not go overboard with sharing. You may appear as someone who is trying to get close so you can earn the spot the company is looking for.
Preparation is Key
Just like anything in life, when you come prepared you are most likely to succeed. This is not certain, though. However, it is better to bank on vital information about the company you are applying for before stepping foot inside their office.
If despite your research and preparedness, you are still not accepted, this means that better opportunities are waiting for you. Good luck with your job interview!