Remember the joys of the Dewey Decimal System and card catalogues? Researching used to be a lengthy chore, which involved finding books from all over the library—usually different floors of the library—and then sitting at a wooden table with a highlighter and index cards. But all that has changed thanks to the little wonder known as the Internet. Now, it’s an issue of typing in the subject and, poof, related articles are snatched and displayed in a neat list for your convenience. How marvelous.
The World Wide Web has made things a bit easier; in particular, it’s made preparation on the part of the job applicant a bit easier. It’s a common held notion that researching before an interview is a good idea, but few people understand how high the payoff actually is. Well-researched job seekers are more than just informed, they are confident, prepared, and inquisitive—qualities that will help highlight you in the mind of a potential employer.
It’s a good idea to start your research by visiting the company’s official Web site. This will give you general background information, certain corporate policies, and an overall vision. Next, see if the website links to any blogs maintained by the company. This is a popular trend, as it allows the company a personal level of communication between corporate and clients. Also, check out industry blogs to see what the company’s persona is in their respective field. For example, if you're interviewing for a managing position at a fine dining restaurant, go to Google and type in "fine dining blog." When the list of sites come up, click on a few and see what the restaurant's general reputation in its respective industry.
These simple steps will help you achieve a broader view before interviewing, and it’s a bit quicker than thumbing through the card catalogue.
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