By Bob McIntosh
A common pitfall for job seekers is inadequate research before interviews—whether in-person, video, or over the phone. Proper preparation is crucial for two key reasons:
Entering the interview with the right mindset: knowing the questions you might face and preparing your answers boosts your confidence. A confident candidate performs better.
Demonstrating your readiness: thorough preparation shows interviewers that you are proactive and serious about the opportunity.
What exactly should you research? Start with the job position. Break down the job advertisement to pinpoint at least the top 10 requirements. Connect your past experiences to what the employer is seeking. To go the extra yard, prepare to share experiences using the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, and Result— to vividly illustrate how you meet these requirements. Interviewers love stories that are relevant to their needs.
Company insights are equally important. Expect questions about the company’s products, services, mission, audience, and culture, as well as its competitors. A deep dive into the company’s website, press releases, and recent news articles will arm you with the necessary knowledge.
Think of it this way: the effort you put into researching before an interview can make the difference between securing the job and not making the cut. Isn’t that worth going the extra mile?
MassHire Program & Services are funded in part by US Department of Labor (USDOL) Employment and Training Administration grants as well as non-federal funded grants. Additional details furnished upon request.