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After you have assessed your own skills and abilities, and decided on a prospective employer, the next step is to research that company. It is annoying for a potential employer to talk with a candidate who doesn't have any knowledge about the company or job. A favorite question asked is "Why are you interested in our organization?" If you know little about the employer, you won't be able to answer the question intelligently.
By researching the organization, you can learn whether your goals will fit the organizational structure defined by the employer. For example, there are some employers who have a reputation for being conservative; if you know that you do not fit in with this type of environment, talking to the employer would be a waste of time.
What Information to Look For
Before seeking background information about a potential employer, you must decide what kind of information you need to get the job. It is a mistake to assume that you know enough about the organization without doing any research. For example, you may know that a company makes pet food, but are you aware that the company also makes cereal for humans, owns a major tuna fish company, and owns and operates resorts and restaurants? You may be talking with a subsidiary of a much larger company and not realize it if you haven't done your research.
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