What do I look for on a company’s website to prepare for my interview?

There are many ways the Internet is not helpful for peoples’ job searches. It is too easy to spend time alone, looking at a computer screen, sending off resumes, and then getting discouraged because nothing happens.

But the availability of information about a company through a website can be very helpful. The more you can be prepared for you r interview, the more confident you will be. Here are some helpful ideas.

What’s on the site map?
If you are lucky, your target company will have an information site map. The link to it is usually at the top of the page (often right hand corner) or at the very bottom of the home page. A good site map can give you a lot of information about the company’s structure.

Product Lines
If you are applying for a job such as project manager or sales manager for a specific product line, you want to know where it fits within the company’s entire product line. You want to know about the specific products, including what are the target markets. Is the position you are being interviewed for supporting their flagship product? Maybe a new product? You need to know.

Target markets
Many companies will explicit about their target markets – for example:• Government• Education• Telecommunications• Health Care• Transportation
What do you know about these markets? How does the position you are applying for relate to them?

Geographic Markets
Where is the company’s focus? Are they fully operational in Australia, US, Asia? Do you speak another language that might be helpful for a specific market? Have you travelled to any of these markets in your current or previous jobs?

Employee Benefits
Some companies post their employee benefits directly on the website. This can be helpful for negotiations.

Most companies will put something about their values they want to convey to their employees. Usually things like fairness, opportunities for promotion or casual work environment will be mentioned. But sometimes other helpful (and less generic) information is included.

For example, I looked at a site with a client recently as part of his interview preparation. It said many people had been with the company 8+ years, including some who returned to the company after going to other companies. They probably were “post-dot.com” people who welcomed the ability to return to this company. It said a lot about the values of the top managers in creating a healthy work environment.

If the company you are targeting does have a full site map, be sure to take advantage of the information provided. Even if you are applying for a position that supports the general corporate functions, it is still important to know as much as you can about the company.

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