Research to Prepare For the Interview

The goal of the resume is to get you a job interview. Once you secure an interview, researching and preparing for the interview is important. Like studying for a test, some of the information you can prepare ahead of time — and some of it is important to review just to be better prepared in general. Believe it or not, many job candidates don’t prepare for job interviews. Spending just 30-60 minutes (at a minimum) can improve your chances of securing a job offer.

Research on the company can be vital information that you can use to your advantage in the interview. It will also shape your ability to answer the interviewer’s questions, and can give you a strategic advantage when it comes to salary negotiation.

Think about a job interview from the employer’s perspective. They are looking for the best fit — skills, experience, education — and, most importantly, fit with the company’s culture. Focusing on the needs and preferences of the company can help you identify which aspects of your work history and background will best serve your future employer.

Like Zig Ziglar said, “You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

By understanding a company’s needs, you can identify how you can help them in the job you’re seeking — and demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the position.

If it’s a sales job, you’ll want to show them how you can:

• Increase sales, revenue, and profits 
• Secure new business while retaining existing customers 

If you’re applying for an information technology position, you’ll want to demonstrate your:

• Ability to solve problems 
• Skill in helping the company save money on their technology needs 

In her book “Resume Magic,” author Susan Britton Whitcomb suggests jobseekers target what she calls “employer buying motivators.” These include the company’s desire to:

• Make money 
• Save money 
• Save time 
• Make work easier 
• Solve a specific problem 
• Be more competitive 
• Build relationships / an image 
• Expand business 
• Attract new customers 
• Retain existing customers 

Keep these in mind as you prepare for the interview.