Job interview preparation is not just about going through the anticipated questions. It also entails the important aspect of having enough information on whoever is going to interview you. But then, what things should you research on your interviewer so as to have a successful session with them?
Muthoni Ndegwa, A Client Services Manager at Corporate Staffing Services agrees that prior keen research on your interviewer is mandatory whenever you get any job interview invitation.
“Unless you are looking forward to an interview with a recruitment agency, all other scenarios demand that you plunge yourself into deep research about your interviewing company as you prepare for the actual interview,” Ms Ndegwa says.
According to Ms Ndegwa, most recruitment firms will only let you know of the company you are bound to work for (their client) on the actual interview. This leaves you with nothing to research about the company.
Things To Research On Your Interviewer
The areas to research on your interviewer before you have a session with them are categorized into two: the general information and information specific to the job you are interviewing for.
In this case, the interviewer is the hiring personnel and in essence, the prospective hiring company. These are among the things you should have knowledge about before you step in the interview room.
1. Their interviewing style
There are various styles that recruiters use to interview their candidates including group interviews, panel job interviews, a single interviewer and so on.
In an earlier article, we established how a panel job interview can send shivers down your spine where you expected to be interviewed by one person. This calls for you to conduct your own research and know the manner in which your prospective employer conducts their interviews so that you are not caught off guard.
There are recruiters who will first of all subject you to an aptitude test before the oral interview while others only require you to fill a form. Prepare for all of this by first researching on the interviewer’s interviewing style.
2. Their capacity
“If you are interviewing say for a product managerial position of the company, do a thorough research on the company’s capacity in terms of production. Have at your fingertips the size of market share they control as you may be asked about it during the interview,” Ms Ndegwa points out.
This, according to Ms Ndegwa, also goes for those interviewing for sales positions as they are supposed to know what products the company trades in, their market share and most importantly, the company’s competitors.
3. Company’s inside info
Meander your way about knowing the tinniest aspects of the company, including information that only makes inside circles.
“If possible, get to know the person that held the position before. You might not realize, but this helps your interview a great deal.”Ms Ndegwa advises.
You may be able to deduce how you measure against their potential. Who knows, you might also be able to borrow from their strengths and motivations and go about the same in the interview.
4. Find out about their physical information
It goes without mentioning the harm that is likely to arise from asking for directions to the recruiter, 10 minutes before the interview. You will be taken as a job seeker who lacks seriousness. To save yourself such trouble, use all avenues possible to know where the company is located. Most companies have websites that also provide information about their physical location.
5. Role that you are interviewing for
In addition to going through the job description to know your duties, create time also to know what you may be paid and such things specific to your job. For instance, find out how the company pays their employees in the particular job advertised. This goes a great deal in helping you respond to the salary questions during the interview.
Consequences of not making a thorough research about your interviewer
According to Ms Mwendwa, not having prior information about your interviewer simply narrows your chances of getting it right in the interview.
“It exposes your ignorance to the interviewer and thus limits your chances of ever getting the job. The least the recruiter expects of you is to conduct a basic research about their company and your job as a show of interest,”
Ms Ndegwa says that candidates who lack information in the interview room make the whole interview process boring as the interviewer lacks ground to chat.
This said, you need not to be told to conduct a thorough research about your interviewer to make your job interview successful. Walking into the interview room free style yields nothing of your job search.
