Getting The Job Will Be Easier If You Learn These 5 Things Before The Interview
You finally received an invitation to interview after putting in a billion applications for a job.
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Studies show that the average number of people who apply for any given job is 118, but sadly only a small 20% of those applicants get an interview. Luckily, you made the cut, but now it is time to show the recruiter how awesome you are and why they should choose you over the other applicants.
So how can you get an edge over your competition? You've already made copies of your resume, you've practiced your elevator pitch, and you've sharpened your skills on answering basic interview questions like 'what are you strengths and weaknesses?' or 'what value can you bring to this position?' You've even bought fancy business cards to pass out at the end of the interview. You feel as if you are beyond prepared and are ready to impress the interviewer, but you forgot one important thing: you forgot to research the company!
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If you are like many people that I have interviewed, remembering to research the company before the interview is not second nature. If I received a dollar every time I interviewed someone that barely knew about my company, I promise I would be as rich as Oprah.
Researching the company will give you a competitive edge over other applicants. Even more, when you learn how to conduct company research and use the information to your advantage, you will definitely stand out.
Taking the time to find information on the company's past, present, and future will not only make you look better, but it will help you make the right decision when selecting your next company.
[Tweet "Just as the company is interviewing you, you should also be interviewing the company. "]
You should get to know as much as you can so that you are able to make an informed and educated decision. You want to make sure that you are picking the best company that will not only dish out your paycheck, but will also have a positive impact on your professional and personal development. Honestly, before I even apply to a job, I research the company. Why waste time completing an application, writing a cover letter, and interviewing if the company isn't the best fit for you? If you are lucky and get past the interview stage without knowing much about the company, it will be horrible if you start working and realize that your values and the company's are not aligned.
You would be amazed at how many people I have hired that have done insufficient research on my company. I have hired people that have asked me months after working what is our vacation and sick time policy. This shows me that 1). They didn't do their research in the beginning (most companies have the full benefits package listed with the job description) and 2). They didn't read the employee handbook or pay attention during new hire training (but this is another story).
While your resume has helped you get the interview, it is time for you to show up and show out! Before you interview with another company, make sure you know at least these 5 things. #ThankMeLater
1) Basic company history
Who is the CEO/President? Where are their headquarters? Is this an old company or a start-up? How did they start? Finding out the information to all of these questions and more will help you get a better understanding of the company you aspire to work for, and the people in charge in the organization. You can find this information by going to their website, or by just doing a simple Google search. In addition, when I look up company history, I like to try to find any information on where they are headed in terms of financial growth and goals. On Yahoo Finance, you can find financial statements and other important information on a company if the company is public. In addition, when you search for the company's name in Yahoo Finance, you will be able to see any recent news on the company.
Another good place to find company information is on Glassdoor and Indeed. When you search for a company's name on Glassdoor Indeed, you can read reviews from real employees and salary information (if this information is posted by employees).
2) Clients, products, and services
I know you are probably thinking that this is an obvious, but trust me it is not obvious to everyone. Do a basic Google search, or look on the company's site and figure out what the company does, what they sell, and if there is any information on future products and services. As a hiring manager, it is a huge turn-off when I interview candidates and they don't know anything about the service and product that my company has to offer. I don't think it's necessary to memorize every little detail on each product or service, but you should at least know the basics.
3) Their mission, vision, and values
The term company culture has become very big over the past few years, and it is one thing that most companies are serious about when looking for new people to join their team. Even though you may look really good on paper and are experienced in certain skills, if you don't "fit in" with the company and what they value, you won't be hired.
The easiest way to learn about a company and what they value is to look on their website. Most companies have an "About" page on their site that discusses the mission, vision, and values. Also, I recommend doing a thorough search on the company's career page as well. On most career pages, you can learn more about the company's benefits, values, professional development opportunities, and information on what it's like to work there. I have also seen on some career pages where they will list interview tips when interviewing with their company.
[Tweet "Even though you may look good on paper, you may not "fit in" with the company and their values."]
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Another way you can learn more about a company and their company culture is to find them on social media (if they have one). If you want to figure out if the company has a social media page, go on each social media network and type in their name. Three of my favorite social media sites for company information is Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube. I have found that most companies are really active on Twitter, and this is a cool way to gauge the company's culture and to get news. LinkedIn is a good tool to use because it will allows you to not only see more information, but you can also see if you have any connections that already work at the company. YouTube is a great source as well because you can really get a good idea of the company culture if they have videos. With some companies, you can watch videos from the employees and interviews that the company has done.
4) Company awards and press mentions
I interviewed with a company a few years ago and when they asked me the infamous 'why do you want to work here' question, I impressed the interviewer and my response was well-received. Prior to the interview, I found really good information on the company and their future plans. I cannot remember my answer verbatim, but my response to their question discussed the company's value and future plans, and how my values were aligned to both.
To find this information you can either look on the company's website, or on Google. If you choose to use Google or another search engine, click on "news" at the top of the page to find recent press releases and news.
5) Basic information on the interviewer
Normally when you are invited to an interview, the HR or Recruiting Coordinator will give you the name of the person that you are interviewing with. My advice for this is simple: don't forget their name. I recently interviewed someone who forgot my name even though I was the person that conducted the initial phone screen and invited them to interview in person with me. When they arr]=1ved at our office for the interview with me, I was at the front because we were short staffed. When the interviewee arrived, she told me that she was here for an interview, but she couldn't remember who it was with. This was definitely a red flag and turn-off! When you go to your interview, you should always remember the name of who you are meeting with - this is just as important as remembering the location of the interview.
Takeaways:
Do your research on a company before you commit (or even better before you submit an application). Working for a new company is like establishing a romantic relationship. You won't start a new relationship with someone until you stalk their Instagram12`vbfds` and Twitter, and search around for information to make sure that they are legit, so you should do the same for your future employer. Don't be so quick to accept the first job offer that comes your way before doing your research.
What other things do you look for when researching a company, or do you have any other tips on finding company information?
Drop a comment below and let us know!
Catch more tips for your job hunt and career growth by visiting our Workin' Girl section!
Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Some Signs Your Casual Relationship Is Getting Serious
In this modern era, establishing romantic connections has become increasingly challenging. From knowing what to say on the first date to knowing when to make things official, the rules have changed and this ain’t the same dating game that led to our parents falling in love and starting a family.
Because times are hard and dating is harder, we had to look to an expert to help us understand when that casual fling becomes something serious. So we chatted with Karina F. Daves, a relationship coach who has made it her mission to teach women how to enjoy more satisfying partnerships.
As a relationship coach, Daves leverages her experience as a former social worker and adjunct professor of women’s studies to teach women how to strategically evaluate their personal identity, values, and standards so that they can elevate their relationships and themselves.
She tells xoNecole, “You should not be with somebody for their potential. The key is being with somebody for their patterns. Instead of looking at it as one specific milestone, look at it as there are multiple patterns at which this person is showing you what role they want to play, what their values are.”
"You should not be with somebody for their potential. The key is being with somebody for their patterns."
Daves’ work has amassed more than 240,000 followers across her social media platforms, and her videos have reached close to 25 million and half a million alone this month.
According to the relationship coach, some key indicators that a relationship is going from casual to serious are:
“You talk about it going to a serious level, and you talk about intentions. Intentions are very clear in a relationship that is serious. At this point, you intend to date each other either for fun or you're dating for marriage. This is something that is very comfortably talked about.” She adds, “You enter each other's worlds fully. This means that you meet people in each other's world, but you also become part of their routine. You're not a task that they have to do, you are just a normal part of their day-to-day life."
“You're not a task that they have to do, you are just a normal part of their day-to-day life.”
In terms of how partners can communicate effectively about their expectations and intentions as a relationship becomes more serious, Daves shares:
“You will want to become serious by being vulnerable and having this conversation. Before the actual communication part occurs, you have to identify what it is that you want this relationship to be. What is it that you want out of a future partnership?”
Daves emphasizes the need for clear communication and suggests doing away with the potential you see in the person and instead focusing on what you want in love. "This is an opportunity for that person to say that's not who they are and that they can't give you that."
"Relationships should also be fun. We do not want to forget that these conversations can be serious, but also a source of fun and joy. They do not need to feel heavy. If you see that they are joyful, this can be a good indicator of what the rest of the relationship would be like when you're getting ready to have serious conversations," Daves concludes.
We know that specific milestones or stages in a relationship can help signify its deepening commitment; Daves has these tips for navigating these transitions:
Introducing one another to each other's worlds can be a big indicator that the relationship you share is getting serious. "When you start meeting each other’s friends and families, this is a big milestone and a vulnerable place to be." Another sign that things are getting serious is openly professing the "L" word. "Communication is significant as far as proclaiming that you love your partner. These are really big milestones that shouldn't be forced."
Speaking of communication, Daves adds that “another big indicator is how you overcome your first moment of misalignment. This is a huge indicator of the rest of the triumphs that you will face. Were you both open? Did you both feel safe sharing? Did you respect each other's point of view? How did you resolve the issue?”
"Communication is significant as far as proclaiming that you love your partner. These are really big milestones that shouldn't be forced."
Lastly, Daves suggests assessing one another's level of emotional investment:
One of the ways Daves suggests we assess the level of emotional investment is by doing a simple activity called “eggs in a basket.”
This activity involves discussing important and valued aspects of a relationship. Daves explains, “The way to assess the level of emotional investment is to test their heart posture. 'Heart posture' is referring to where their heart stands when it comes to this relationship and how it logically has made sense of it all.”
In those instances, ask each other the following questions:
- Do you feel clear about our intentions and where our relationship is going?
- Do you see me as a life partner?
- Are we past potentially seeing us together to understand each other's patterns and choosing to make that commitment?
- Are we a part of our life’s plan?
- Do you still have individual goals?
“This isn’t just about seeing their investment in the relationship but also how they’re choosing to invest in themselves as people. You don’t want a partner that will lose themselves in the relationship because you won’t have a partner anymore, you’ll have someone to parent,” Daves said.
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