| One of the key
aspects of creating a good impression with a recruiter, an interviewer,
or a network contact is your knowledge of his/her company and even
the contact as an individual. Without the knowledge provided by research, you risk looking lazy and/or clueless - not characteristics sought by any employer.
Know BEFORE
You Go (or Apply) - Be Prepared to Be Impressive!
Researching before you go means that
you will be well prepared to understand the company’s issues
and atmosphere, engage in a more meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate
your level of interest to the interviewer.
Advantages of Taking the Time to Research:
1. Your best offense -
The knowledge
gained from research will provide a solid foundation for each networking
meeting or interview, demonstrating your level of interest and allowing
you more time to explore key issues.
2. Your best defense -
The knowledge gained from research will also hopefully help you avoid taking a short-term job. People often grab the first job offer they receive, particularly in a tough economy. That instinct, which seems like self-preservation, may lead you to accept a job that is not a good fit for you or which may be at an employer which is not a good fit. In either case, you are either miserable in your job, or you find yourself job hunting again too soon.
Both of these advantages will more than make up for the time invested. They may, in fact, result in a shorter job search than if you just jumped into your job search, without sufficient information or direction.
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