HAVE YOU DONE YOUR RESEARCH?
Our clients appreciate meeting applicants who are familiar with their business and identify with their core values. Even if you think you are reasonably familiar with the company you are interviewing with, take time to thoroughly research where you may well be spending the next few years of your life.
WHAT ARE THE COMPANY’S VALUES?
A manager will be more interested in hiring you if you show an authentic interest in their company and specific job role. You can look up a company’s website and social media pages to get an in-depth idea of what they do, how they do it, and why it matters to them. When you express these principles in your interview answers, it will show you are much more than just someone looking for a job.
Look at their history, as well as their mission statement and business objectives as to where the business is going in the future and where you see yourself within this.
They may have recently posted about their staff taking part in a charity event which could be an ideal point to mention to talk more about company culture, staff welfare and support for such events.
WHAT SKILLS DO THEY VALUE MOST?
If possible, research the job description and look at other employees Linked In profiles at the firm to see what skills the company value most. If you know any current employees working at the same company, ensure you ask them what skills to showcase at interview.
WHO IS CONDUCTING THE INTERVIEW?
It’s likely the interviewer will look you up on social media accounts online, so we suggest you do the same on the individual’s conducting the interview. This might give you a hint as to the person’s interests as a hiring manager and what sort of questions they’ll ask in an interview. We also encourage you to interact with posts and connections on LinkedIn which will show up on your feed.
Be sure to know who the company leaders are as well in case you are introduced to them during your meeting.
WHAT IS YOUR PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
Just as you will complete your research on your prospective employer, don’t be surprised if they are conducting the same on you.
It can have a positive impact on your application where your profile conveys a professional image, well-developed communication skills, or perhaps your range of interests and creativity.
It is worth checking how much of your personal information is in the public domain, and check that your privacy settings are at the appropriate level to keep your personal and professional online presence separate.
WHAT CLIENTS DO THEY WORK WITH?
Every company has a unique client base. Showing you understand the needs and desires of those clients will go a long way. Expressing client knowledge is an effective and creative way to get noticed. Case studies or project summaries released by the business can help you understand their key focus and achievements. Look up their website Testimonial page if they have one on why their clients choose to work with them.
WHAT’S NEW?
If the company you are interviewing with are growing or developing into new sectors or have just developed their own innovative software, you can use this as a talking point on how you are interested in being part of their exciting expansion plans. This might be developing into new energy sectors or decarbonisation.
Through your research you will be able to demonstrate WHY you believe you are the right person to hire and WHY you want to work for them. If you are potentially committing yourself to them for the next X years of your life – don’t you want to know exactly who you will be joining?