| Prior to interviewing with a company, you need to | | | | own websites, so you can glean a great deal of |
| do some research.One reason to find out more | | | | information there. Review news articles and PR |
| about the prospective employer is to determine if | | | | websites for recent activity regarding the |
| you want to work there. A job is not just a job. | | | | organization.Another place that is often |
| Another reason is to be able to respond | | | | overlooked, but most likely has more information |
| appropriately in the interviewer when you are | | | | than any other source, is your local library. When |
| questioned.Here are some things you should know. | | | | you visit just ask the librarian to point you in the |
| Consider each of the following questions | | | | right direction. It may take a little more legwork, |
| carefully.These questions are about the company | | | | but the information is usually more abundant and |
| itself:1. What do you know about our organization? | | | | better organized than any web search.Some |
| 2. Why do you want to work here? | | | | companies will be easier to research than others. |
| 3. Do you think you will fit in with our corporate | | | | Privately held firms are under no legal obligation to |
| culture? | | | | make their financial statements public. Any |
| 4. What do you know about our products | | | | organization that has publicly traded stock must |
| services?These questions are to help you decide | | | | disclose certain pieces of financial information per |
| if you want to work there:1. Is the company a | | | | the Securities and Exchange Commission, so you |
| major competitor in its field? | | | | will find information readily available on |
| 2. Does it have a solid mission statement? | | | | them.Another reason you might have some |
| 3. Do the company's financial statements reflect | | | | difficulty researching a company is if it is a |
| a good position? | | | | subsidiary or division of a larger organization. |
| 4. How well is the company expected to | | | | Again, a librarian can help you ferret out the leads |
| perform in the future?There are many places to | | | | you need to follow to get the information you are |
| do research to find out the answers to these and | | | | looking for.Research is important if you want to |
| other important questions. One of the easiest, of | | | | be prepared for the job search process. |
| course, is the internet. Many companies have their | | | | |