Make sure you research these 3 things before your next job interview

By Judith Humphrey | Fast Company | October 21, 2021

You’ve written your résumé and, miraculously, gotten a job interview. But your nerves set in as you wonder how you’ll perform in that encounter, what the interviewer will ask you, and how you’ll answer. Thinking about these things makes you nervous. Even panicky!

But you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. There is a way out—a way to make yourself feel that you’re coming to the interview from a position of strength. The answer is to do your research.

Prepare for that crucial meeting by deepening your knowledge of the company, its culture, and the job. You’ll look and sound smart. You’ll be able to ask great questions. And you’ll have the insights you need to help make the right decision.

1. RESEARCH THE COMPANY
Studying the company not only shows respect, but it will elevate your interview to another level of discussion.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, spoke about this on the Stanford Graduate School of Business podcast, View From The Top. When talking about job interviews, he said, “Some people walk into your office and they say, ‘Gee, I’d like to know about the strategy of your company. They didn’t bother to read the chairman’s letter I wrote, which is about 30 or 40 pages long.” In contrast, he notes, “Other people walk in, and they know everything [about the company].”

If you want a job with a certain company, study everything about that firm that’s in the public domain: annual reports, executive speeches and presentations, media interviews, and social media sites, including the firm’s website. Wrap your mind around what its leaders are saying—what their vision is, what the company’s position in the marketplace is. It’s also a good opportunity to see if that company’s goals impress you.

Once you’ve completed this analysis, you will be able to tell the interviewer, “I’m impressed with the direction your company is taking,” or, “I was inspired by the chairman’s speech to shareholders.” And you’ll be able to ask good probing questions.

Read the full article here.

By MIT Sloan CDO
MIT Sloan CDO