The Quintessential Guide to Job Interview Preparation

Chapter 1: Research the Employer, Interviewer, and Industry.

Interviewers describe lack of company knowledge as one of their top pet

peeves. Learn to do your homework

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Employers expect you to know about their organization and

industry. Chances are high that they will ask you questions
designed to test whether you did your homework. For
example, you could be asked one or more of these questions
that require knowledge of the company:

 What do you think it takes to be successful in this

career?
 Do you enjoy doing independent research?
 Do you have any plans for further education?
 Why do you want to work in the _____________
industry
 What do you know about our company?
 Why are you interested in our company?

Spend time researching the company by examining the

company's annual reports, company Websites, and external
sources of information. But don't stop there. Spend time
familiarizing yourself with the key industry (or industries) that
the company or division operates within. You can find all the resources you need by visiting our Guide to
Researching Companies, and here’s a quick checklist for researching companies:

 Company Web site.

 Google search.
 Annual Reports or other printed materials from the company.
 People you know who work there (part of your network, alumni).
 Customers and vendors.
 Library: print, online, CD resources, online library databases, such as ABI.

Also spend time boning up on your interview skills and style. Do some research to determine the types of
interviews you should expect during your visit -- but be prepared for everything.

If possible, ask your company contact person (or his or her assistant) for a copy of the interview schedule -- and
make sure you get the names and titles of those who are interviewing you. If possible, try to find out information
about these people; the Web is a great source for this type of information.

Make sure you know the exact position you are interviewing for so that you can research typical duties and
responsibilities, as well as salary range. Determine how your unique selling proposition (USP) fits with the
position -- and plan on articulating it again and again at each interview setting during the company visit. Figure out
as much as possible about the employer's needs. Find out more than the average interviewee about the company
and the hiring manager's concerns.
 First Impressions and Establishing Rapport

Make the most of the first few minutes of the interview

Before Reading:

 What do you usually do in the first minutes of an interview?

 How can you make the most of this part of the interview?

 What would you say are the “do´s” and “don´ts”?

Because the job interview is usually your first face-to-face with the employers, first
impressions are especially crucial. Never arrive with any kind of food in your mouth or on
your teeth, and try not to smoke right before the interview. Turn off your cell phone on
the way to the interview.

You finally meet your interviewer. Greet him or her enthusiastically. Stand up (if not
standing already) and extend your hand for a medium-to-firm handshake; you want
neither the limp, dead fish, nor the bone-crusher. Put on an ultra-warm smile, and say
something like: "Good morning, I'm glad to meet you" and "Thank you for giving me the
opportunity to be a candidate for this position."

Offer a copy of your resume or at least have one handy if interviewer has trouble locating
his or her copy.

The interviewer will probably decide whether you are a good fit with the company in the
first five minutes of the interview. Much of his or her impression of fit is determined by the
rapport or chemistry between you and the interviewer – whether you "click" with the
interviewer. Unfortunately, if you don’t, there’s a good chance you won’t get the job. Even
more unfortunately, ways of improving chemistry are limited. Youcan try making the most
of the period of small talk to establish rapport by attempting to find common interests.
Look around interviewer's office for clues. Are there family pictures? Sports memorabilia?
Collectibles? Comment on them.

In the interview, smiling and making strong eye contact are important elements to
establishing a good impression. Answering interview questions with ease (showcasing
your interview preparation) and asking questions of the interviewer are vital to making a
good impression.