Is a job interview giving you nightmares? Of course it is your big gateway to your dream career. It is natural that you are a little nervous; you cant really do much about it. But there is one thing that you must do. Get Prepared!(Which will also help you mellow down your nervousness and build confidence. And confidence is what your interviewers are looking for!)
While you need to be prepared to answer basic questions (where do you want to be in 5 years?), it is equally important to do research on the company itself and most importantly to research on the person(s) who will be interviewing you.
Know Your Interviewer
Learn as much as you can about who you are meeting with and what role they play in the company. Face it; people often enjoy talking about themselves so flatter them by knowing about them! If your network is not that strong, dig out facts on Google. Many executives today have spoken at conferences, were quoted in press releases, or industry papers, all of which can show up in a simple search. You can often learn where they went to college, their view on industry trends, companies they worked for prior to their current role etc.
Know the Company
Read all the press releases from the company in the past few years. Look on the companys site for the About Us section, which often has a link to Press Releases. Companies issue press releases to educate the public markets and potential partners about the most important issues. Also browse through the About Us section for general information about the company
If it is an FMCG company, try/buy/use the companys and competitive products in the days running up to the interview. Be prepared to share a story about what you liked and disliked about your experiences and provide ideas and insights on how you could help improve their position in the marketplace. Its a great short cut to impress the interviewer ;).
On the day of the interview, check the companys website again for any new press releases or any mentions in the press. Youll be amazed how well your interviewer will react if you are fully up to speed on him/her, the company, the competition, and the industry.
