Interviewing Is a Sport: How to Crush the Other Candidates

An important aspect of interviewing is having widespread knowledge about the specific company you are interviewing for. This can be achieved in obvious ways, such as researching the company’s history, mission statement, and its products and services. However, in this technological day and age, one needs to look past the first page of Google. In fact, sometimes Google will not suffice.

Reading the company’s “About Us” section before an interview is a given, so let’s go beyond that. Social media is a staple for companies. Try searching them on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, as understanding the language they use on these sites will be a good predictor of the culture in the office. Sidenote: Do not hesitate to like a post on Facebook from the company or send them a tweet letting them know you are excited to meet them. This will show the employer that you have been doing your research and are enthusiastic about the interview process.

Use LinkedIn to its fullest potential. If you know the name of the person interviewing you, search his or her name and look for any commonalities. Having a mutual connection is something you can discuss during the interview. Also, if you have an acquaintance who previously worked for the company, that person could be a great asset for answering your questions or concerns.

To expand your knowledge even further, get in the know about what is happening now. Reading up to date press releases and news articles associated with the company can be helpful, especially when the interviewer asks for your questions. At that time, you can inquire about recent company activity.

Researching a company’s website is key. However, to stand out, make sure to take your research to the next level. The more familiar you are with the business as a whole, the better your chances are for making a great first impression to your prospective employers.

Author: Allison Mullen