2torial #0957:
Learn2 Prepare for a Job Interview (continued)

Research the company

Before you go to the interview, you have a homework assignment to do: Find out as much about the company as you possibly can. There's nothing less impressive to an interviewer than a candidate who knows nothing about what the company does--especially when information about most businesses is readily available even to novice researchers. You want to show your prospective employer that you'll be an asset to the company--and to do that, you need information.

• Find the company's website. Most businesses have a site these days. If you can't find it, call the main phone line and ask for the web address.

• Do a recent news search. You should be able to find recent articles about the company by doing a quick Internet search. For a more comprehensive search, go to your local library and use a newspaper and magazine database.

• Read the material the company has published about itself. If the company is publicly traded, its annual report will be available, often online. This handy document has all sorts of useful tidbits in it, such as the company history, mission statement, and news releases. A media kit, which is a booklet of promotional material about a company and its products, is also a great thing to have. If the company has produced one, you can usually obtain a copy through the marketing department.

• It's important to get a feel for the overall company morale as well. Ask people you know if they've heard of the company or know anyone who works there (a great way to get the inside scoop).