Searching for a job is stressful. It’s the great unknown. Not only do you have to find a job but even with a careful interview process, you may be left wondering if you’ll like it. Will you fit the culture? Are you sure your boss will be nice? If you’re not careful, getting the job may open the door to a host of worries about whether you’ve taken the right position. Here are some things you can research even before the job interview to help you land the work but also know that you’re creating the perfect match.
Do Your Research
Research the company well before you even go into the interview. This will help you prepare for talking to the hiring manager but also help you begin to evaluate if you even want this position. Some of the things you can find online include:
- Review the job description. In it, you’ll find some of the skills and experiences the company seems to value. Try to read between the lines of the posting to get a sense of the types of employees they’re looking for. You can even reach out to current employees on a platform like LinkedIn to ask what it’s like to work in that company.
- Who are the key players in the company? You can usually find this on the company web page in the “about” section. Look on LinkedIn to find their profiles and check out the company’s social media page to get a sense of the leadership and direction of the company.
- What does the company manufacture and sell? What does the company actually do? Check out their products and services to make sure you understand what’s at the heart of the work you’ll be doing. Look for case studies or white papers on the company to help you understand what the company markets.
- Look closely at the company’s mission and values to see if they align with your own. Companies have been changing their web pages to talk more about their culture these days but you can also reach out to existing employees to find out more. Culture fit is hugely important to your happiness in the job. What does the company talk about on social media? Are there pictures of employees at company events? If you can ferret out what the work environment is like, you’ll not only go into the interview as prepared as possible but you’ll also know, if you get the job, that it’s a place where you’ll fit right in.
- Don’t forget to look at employee review sites like Glassdoor. These websites are great for hearing from current and former employees about what it’s like to work there. You’ll usually see salary details and maybe even find tips on the interview process.
At People Plus, we know it’s stressful to interview for a job. That’s why we’re here. We can give you the inside track on the company and the people you’ll be working with. Talk with our team today and change your career path tomorrow.
