Research the company before your interview to give yourself the edge in understanding their business needs. The more you know about an employer, the stronger your chances of succeeding at interview.
We will provide you with as much information as we can, but you are well-advised to seek out everything you can about the company. You can obtain company literature directly from the organisation.
Reference libraries, the internet and trade press are good sources of information. Where discretion allows, contact people you know in the industry that have experience of the prospective employer.
Hiring Managers and HR personnel frown upon interviewees who fail to prepare well for interviews. They expect you to have a reasonable understanding not only of their products and services but also of the history and future direction of the business. More importantly, an interviewer will be impressed by your interest and motivation.
Employer brand and background
Study their website.
Understand their history.
Understand their territory coverage (office locations and presence).
Analyse their financials and performance (company accounts where available).
Appreciate their philosophy, corporate messages, brand values, and key competencies.
Appreciate their organisational structure.
Understand their business direction and growth aspirations.
Services they provide
Understand their product and service range.
Find out who their competitors are.
Identify USPs and potential barriers to sale.
Market(s) they operate in
Which key demographic is the product/service is aimed at?
Who are the end-users?
Who are their key competitors?
What are their routes to market?
How is the brand received in the market?
Is there any upcoming legislation that will affect performance?
The role; job description
Gain a full and proper understanding of the job description.
Understand the main responsibilities involved.
Prepare a plan of action (e.g. how you would run your territory/manage your workload).
Find out specific examples of duties and how your experience relates.
The interview format and style
Find out who is conducting the interview; their names, titles, and work history.
Try to understand their key drivers and what qualities they seek in potential applicants.
Enquire whether there will there be a practical or skills test.
Enquire about the specific interview style and format.
Back: Before the interview
Next: Prepare for the interview
