Be Prepared For Your Interview - part 2

Financial checks

Next do some basic financial checking. Read their prospectus, look up their Annual Reports, and see how they are evaluated by financial reporting sources. Would you buy stock in this company? What are their assets, how secure are they? Which departments are doing well, which ones are struggling? Any information about possible mergers, purchases, layoffs, or expansion plans gives you a better idea of what's going on behind the scenes.

Make that call

The phone is a valuable tool that gives you information while you get to stay anonymous. Pretend to be interested in talking to the CEO; you won't get him, but you'll chat with a lot of secretaries on your way from the switchboard to his office. Be friendly, make some small talk, see what you can find out about the top levels and their accessibility. Leave a fake name but no number; just say you'll try again later.

Compile a list of who's who in your prospective department and Human Resources as well. You can say you need names and titles for a mailing list, if that gets you the access you need. While you're getting referred from department to department, try to be as chatty as possible; remember that what you're really after is information.

Follow up on any openings. If the secretary comments that a certain department head is on an extended leave, ask a few casual questions: "I hope they aren't ill," or "Who's handling her work while she's out? I bet they're overloaded." One or two good conversations with a bored receptionist can tell you volumes. Try calling at lunchtime, when a replacement is likely to be covering the phones; he or she may be less "loyal" and more willing to chat.

"Confide" in the HR receptionist; don't tell them who you really are, but mention that you are thinking of applying at the company. If you're friendly and sound a little nervous, she might help you out by giving some tips on who does the interviewing and how the process works. If not, don't push; she's probably busy and you may have caught her at a bad time. You can always call back.

Time to reflect

Next, take some time to sit back and assess what you've learned. Are their any gaps? Have you put together a pretty clear picture, or do you still have questions? There may be a lot of general information, but if the specifics about "your" job or department are still missing, it's time for a final step.

Step out of the shadows

Up until now, your campaign tactics have kept you anonymous. Now, however, it's time for direct contact. Send a letter to one or two department heads or vice-presidents in the field you're interested in. Without mentioning any specific openings, say that you're interested in the company and would like an appointment to talk about what's happening in his area.

This kind of meeting is usually easy to arrange. It can lead directly to a job offer, or an invitation to future interviews; however, that's not your primary goal. Here's your opportunity to fill those gaps in your working knowledge of the company.

Without being too direct, try to steer your conversation into your areas of interest. Most people love to talk about their work and their involvement in office politics; be a sympathetic listener. You know enough about the organization by now to ask the right questions; use all that information to find out what you want to know. You can also use this meeting to get to talk to other company employees; ask for introductions if none are offered. The more people you've met, the better off you are.

Return to your resume

The campaign is over; now you need to put the information you've gathered to good use. Rewrite your resume, aiming it at the specific needs or preferences you've uncovered. Stress those areas of expertise that match up with weaknesses in their current personnel; and if you've uncovered any sensitive areas, don't go there.
Your cover letter can now be directed towards a specific person, maybe even someone you've already talked to. Write to them, refer to your meeting, if any, and keep it as specific as possible.

Summary

Finally, when you get to the interview, you are in a great position. Use your knowledge to ask relevant questions and to give the impression that you will be a real asset to the company. Anything you've learned in your meetings or your phone chats can be brought out here; show the interviewer that you're sympathetic to the organization's problems and needs.

Your research has taken a lot of time and energy, but the results are well worth it. By taking the initiative, you've greatly improved your overall chances of getting hired. Just because you know what you're talking about, you have a clear advantage over the other, uninformed job seekers who will be knocking on the same corporate door.

Return to Home Page or Read part 1