On Monday I wrote about what you should research about a company before your first interview.  Today I will discuss the importance of that research as a vital step when preparing for your interview. Being prepared will not only increase your confidence, it will also create a great first impression for the interviewer. Researching a company can also increase your chances of receiving a job offer for the position you want, because you will be able to illustrate your knowledge and enthusiasm about the employer.

Familiarizing yourself with the company shows the interviewer that you are interested in working for the company and care enough to do your research. When you ask insightful questions, the interviewer will take notice.  You will be demonstrating your intelligence and preparedness by responding to the interviewer’s questions with ease.

Knowing about the company will also help you determine whether or not it’s a good fit for you.  Do you believe in the company’s mission and values?  Do the company’s values, morals and beliefs match with your own? This is important because it may be stressful if you accept a position only to find out later that your values and the company’s clash. For example, the research institute you’re applying to work for conducts a type of research that you’re opposed to. If you’d known this fact ahead of time, you may not have taken the position and could have avoided an awkward situation.

It is important to prepare for your first interview, and research should be included in that preparation. You will feel and appear more confident, leaving a better impression to the interviewer and increasing your chances to get the job you want. You will also have the information to make the right decision about a job offer.

How has research helped you land the job you wanted?  What advice can you offer to others in their job search?