The Ten Major Components of a Successful Interview- 5

Know The Company and Understand The Job Role

A few years back, I was to attend a panel interview. It was a major one and I was going to meet with the Board of that organization.

I knew I had to get every information I could get about the company and even all its Directors. I visited the company’s website and downloaded every available information.

I studied all the products and services, cross-checked with the industry and read up about each Director I saw on their website.

On D-Day, I was well prepared. As I stood in the boardroom with my PowerPoint Presentation projected (yes, I took along a presentation), I started my presentation by quoting exactly what one of the Directors said on their site.

That Director was part of the panel and I saw his face lit up when I mentioned his name. Everyone loves to be called by their names-especially if you’re quoting them correctly- that always gets their attention. Don’t ever forget that.

After my presentation, the Director asked if I knew the person I quoted. Everyone on the panel laughed as I respectfully indicated he was the one. I still remember that interview with nostalgia.

Don’t attend an interview without knowing about the company or the job role you applied for. Knowing about the company along with an impressive CV sets you on the path to a successful outcome.

Carry out a research about the company online and also talk to any contact you have within the company. The information you gather will help you prepare properly and introduce you to the products and services of the company.

A research will further help you to think about the value you can bring on board to the company. Specifically, it will help you answer a most-often asked question: ‘Why do you want to work for us?’

Your research will not only give you information about the products and services but you will also be equipped with information on the company profile, management profile and structure, goals and objectives,

culture and other significant factors that can help you take a decision about the company.

Be conversant with the latest news about the employer. Visit the company’s website. Go through the mission and vision statement. Peruse the latest financial statements and annual reports. If you know the name of the interviewer before hand, carry out an online check on him/her.

You can do this on LinkedIn. You can also check to confirm if you are connected to anyone who works or has worked in that company. Check the company’s social media pages. Research the company’s history.

Research the industry also. You may discover certain peculiarities about that industry in addition to being able to do fair comparisons.

You may also find out industry best practices in the process as sharing this during the interview will position you as knowledgeable and abreast of the facts within that space. You would have demonstrated the value you want to bring to the table that way.

Research the competitors. This will give you information about the competing products and services and how they measure in the market. This is particularly important for candidates applying for sales roles.

A good knowledge of competition coupled with your suggestions on what to do to increase the wallet share of your prospective employer will make you an employer’s delight. This will also help you make an informed decision with respect to the employment offer, if made.

A candidate should also make enquiries about the job role. Don’t go for an interview blindly. I’ve seen many candidates appear blank when asked to speak to the job role they applied for.

Understand what the job description, the skills set and experience required and possibly the pay grade for that role. The more informed you are, the better prepared you will be.

Bayo Adeyinka

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