Know the Employer before the Interview

Before the interview you should be prepared to answer any interview questions about the company. Researching the company will also assist you in determining if the company is the right fit for you and prepare you to answer some interview questions – such as “What do you know about us?” or “Do you know anyone working here?”. Some resources you might want to use are the company’s website, and internet or newspaper articles. Here are some suggestions:

1. What is the relative size of the company in the industry?

2. Is the industry expected to grow?

3. What are the product lines or services offered by the company?

4. What are the potential new markets, products or services?

5. Who is the company’s competition?

6. What is the organizational structure of the company?

7. How many plants, offices, stores, or outlets does the company have?

9. Does the company provide training?

10. If the company offers training, is it formal or on-the-job?

11. Has the company been in the news lately?

12. What are the company’s policies on relocation?

13. What is the typical career path for someone in your field?

14. Where is the home office located?

15. Do you know the name of the name of the company recruiter?

16. Are the people you may know working for the company?

© Copyright Vet2Work/Naturallysilver 2011. No re-publication of this article is permitted without express permission. This is an excerpt from "Successful Career Moves" by C.A. Stapleton. About the author: C.A. Stapleton, A.S., B.S., M.B.A., is an experienced, published professional career consultant, mentor, and résumé/ biographical writer.