Arriving unprepared for an interview is a big mistake. Interviews require skill, preparation, practice and most important of all — research. On your resume and cover letter you have included information about yourself. The potential employer already knows your skills, accomplishments, experience, and goals. These things have already earned you an interview. Once there they are looking at your personality and what separates you from the other applicants with similar skill sets. Knowledge of the company can be one of the biggest advantages you have over your competitors.
In the internet age, gaining information about your potential employer can be easy. Most businesses have websites that you can easily access. Dig as deep as you can so that you know how they operate, who their clientele are, and their history. If they have a bio page, learn what you can about the interviewer as well. Don’t be afraid to check out their social media pages for traditional information — they’ve been looking at yours. An interviewer spends all day talking about potential candidates, hearing you talk about them will be truly noted.
If you do your research you will be able to answer more questions, come off as more confident, and seem genuinely interested in more than just a paycheck.
