Employer Information

No matter what type of position or company you are being interviewed for, it is important to know something about the organisation. This knowledge will help you shape your answers, and will set you apart from other, less-informed applicants.

Given that an initial interview is generally relatively brief, and that a number of organisations may wish to interview you (fingers crossed!), it is important to take a balanced approach when conducting research.

For a first interview with an organisation, you should know at least:

• Its mission
• Its goals
• Its size
• Its scope of operation

If you are invited to a second interview, you will have time to do further research. Research for second interviews should be more in-depth and, given your greater chance of success, is easily justified.

For a second interview, you should find out as much as possible about the organisation, including, but not restricted to:

• Its mission and goals
• Its size, structure, locations and divisions
• Its products, services and target market
• Its culture and reputation
• Its financial performance and history, including turnover, profitability and exports, strategic plan, current challenges and potential for growth
• Its major competitors

Try to show your depth of research through your answers and questions. (e.g. "My previous employer....emphasised values similar to those in your Mission Statement.")

The internet is particularly useful when researching organisations, but you may also be able to find information in trade magazines, newspapers, the company's own publications or via word of mouth.