Читать книгу Interview - Heather Salter - Страница 9

If you are considering applying for a specific job that you have seen, now’s the time to really do some research. When you are considering joining a new company you are probably committing to at least a year working with them.

It’s worth investing some time in getting to know more about the company so that you can start to decide whether it’s the sort of place you want to spend your working hours in – work is a huge part of our lives after all.

Going for an interview can feel like going on a blind date. Would you really want to turn up on a date without knowing anything at all about the other person? If you do there’s probably a 50/50 chance of success, it would be likely flipping a coin – heads you win, tails you lose. So shall we make the odds a bit better than that so that you don’t waste your time?

What would you want to know about the company? Well that will vary from person to person but here are some of the areas that you might want to check out.

one minute wonder Find out as much as you can about the company beforehand and be ready to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their business. Make a list of some great questions to ask them.

 Are they financially sound? You can get hold of a copy of their Annual Report or research their last accounts through Companies House (in the UK – it may be different in other countries). Would you want to join a company that was in severe financial difficulties? It may be a big risk, so it’s worth knowing.

 Does the company publish their values? Most companies these days have a website where you can find out quite a lot about them. Some even publish the company’s core values and mission statement which will tell you a lot about what their intentions for the business are. Have a look at your own checklist in Secret 1.1 and see if they match.

 Has there been anything in the press recently? The Internet is a great resource and you can browse to find out where there are any mentions of the company. On some company websites they have a section with press releases. Read them and find out more.

 Do you know anyone who works there? If you can find someone who works there – someone you either know personally or through your network of friends and contacts – that will give you a better picture of what it’s like to work for the company. Finding out about the company’s culture will help you decide whether it’s the right sort of place for you.

If you are working in a financially secure business now, would you want to leap into another one without checking them out first?