You’ve been granted an interview! Congratulations! Your efforts so far have paid off.
But it shouldn’t stop now. In fact, in today’s rapidly changing marketplace, it is in sharpening your research skills to an art form that you will gain the only truly sustainable advantage over your competition. So let’s talk about how you do that.
Some words about research
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re. search’, n. Studious inquiry; usually critical investigation or experimentation having for its aim the revision of accepted conclusions, in the light of newly discovered facts. (From Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.) |
Remember that this continues to be a two-way process. Yes, you need a good understanding of your own skills and knowledge base, but your research should still be at least 50% aimed at getting a better picture of the organization. Just as you wouldn’t choose a new house only by looking at it from the outside, when you interview, you are demonstrating how well you fit within this organization. For now, let’s concentrate on what you should know about any employer before going to work for them.
What You Should Know About Any Organization Before Going to Work for Them
About the Job:
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If this is a new position, or if you are you replacing someone. |
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If replacing someone, if the previous individual was promoted. |
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How many people before you have held the position? |
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What others employed there like and dislike the most about working for the organization. |
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The desired characteristics for people doing this job. |
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“Ideal” experience for the job. |
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The largest problems currently facing the staff. |
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If there are any unusually demanding facets to the job. |
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The people with whom you will interface on a regular basis. |
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The results they are looking for. |
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If there is a written job description of the duties and responsibilities. |
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How your performance will be evaluated. |
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If you will be provided clerical support. |
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How you compare with others being considered for the job. |
About the Organization:
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If openings are posted for employees first, or if they’re filled from the outside. |
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If there are lateral moves or promotions through
reassignment or transfer. |
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If there are employee development/training
programs available. |
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The personality/style of the company president. |
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The corporate culture. |
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If the organization has shown growth in increased sales/production or new products or services over the past years of operation. |
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If the organization is profitable and, if so, for how long. |
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The projected revenues for the next fiscal year. |
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The organization’s reputation within the industry. |
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Possibilities for a merger or change of management. |
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If there have been any layoffs (and if so, are more anticipated). |
About the Management Philosophy:
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The supervision style. |
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How the organization is organized. |
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What system is followed for reporting. |
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Some examples of employee relations or morale. |
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Theory of management thinking and practice. |
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If benefits are similar to or better than other firms. |
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The company’s turnover rate. |
About Your Next Boss:
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Her/his management style. |
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Expectations regarding decisions she/he would expect from you. |
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Her/his interpretation of what frustrates people the most in this position. |
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Her/his interpretation of the most successful employees. |
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Her/his interpretation of the least successful employees. |
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Her/his opinion as to the toughest challenge of the job from a managerial point of view. |
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Her/his definition of success in this job. |
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Her/his impression of the most important thing not to do in this job. |
If You Are Interviewing for a Supervisory Position:
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How the work is assigned to your area and who makes this decision. |
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How the output of your area will be measured. |
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How your area’s work interfaces with other areas in and with other departments). |
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With which individuals/departments are you expected to interface regularly. |
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In reviewing with them, what will you do for each other? |
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What reports are you responsible for issuing? |
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What records are you responsible for maintaining? |
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What corporate policies are you responsible for administering? |
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What regularly scheduled meetings are you expected to attend? |
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What guidelines you should use when dividing work assignments. |
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Which supervisors/managers within your department have experience sufficient enough to be able to rely on for good advice? |
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If there is any specialized equipment within your area of responsibility (and will you be trained in the operation of it, or be responsible for maintaining it). |
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Arrangements for a tour of the department/building. |
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Arrangements for introductions to your subordinates. |
