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Are you going to attend an interview soon? Or are you actually planning to apply for a job in a certain company? One way or the other, it is very important for you to find out about the new company.
Why?
2 reasons.
- Worth a try? You need to know whether the company’s financial result is okay in order to decide whether it’s worth it. No point jumping into a company with serious cashflow problem. Besides that, you also need to know whether the company’s culture is suitable for you. What’s the point of joining a company with a culture which does not suit your personality? For example, if you know the company will make you work 12 hours a day but you don’t fancy such working culture, then no point wasting your time going for the job.
- Information for interview? By knowing the company profile, their history and what they do, you can actually use the information to your advantage during the interview. Nearly all the interviews I’ve been to (especially the big companies) will ask what do I know about their company. And if you’re able to impress them by saying something they don’t know (like saying the Fortune ranking of the parent company in US), you will most likely impress the interviewers. It also shows that you know the reason you want to join the company. You’ll be surprised that some people just go for the interview without knowing what the company is doing.
That’s why before you go for an interview (or even before you apply for the job), always find out about the company. It is one of the most important things to do.
Remember that to join the wrong company and then quit few weeks later, is a very bad record for you especially if you do that too often.
All the best and hope it helps.
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wish you luck with ad money
Bengbengs last blog post..An afternoon at an Iban longhouse
What’s your advice to people thinking of joining new startups that have no track record?
A note on company vetting. There’s lots of public domain info on public listed companies but for private limited companies which includes MNC branch offices, the only way is to buy a copy of their annual filings from the registrar of companies. Frankly, not many are willing do that and even if they did, how many people know how to interpret an income statement.
There’s one popular rule. If you want to find out anything bad about a company, nobody knows it better than its competitors. A lot of it will be rumor but still, its better than nothing. As they say, if you want the good news, read the annual report. If you want the real news, go to the gutter.
@ Bengbeng
Thanks. Not earning much from those (at all).
@ Damien
Most people will not be willing to take that kind of risk especially during time like this. Unless the company’s leadership has proven records in the past and the company has a clear objective and mission statement. You can find out about these things during the interview but I’m afraid, that’s the only method for you to know more.
Competitors? I rather ask those who have worked in that company before. It’s not that easy to approach the competitors.
Or maybe can consult recruiters or headhunters who know more about the company.
Hehehe… I always done my research before i apply for the job… Some company (not going to talk about it) is not worth to join… I don’t even bother to give it a try… waste my time only.
Anyway, I’m in between job with a project hanging in Africa. Sigh!… Need to explore the job market again. Any good suggestion?
TZs last blog post..Mr. Shy 2nd BodyPump class…
More than agree. If you’re going for an interview, knowing the company background is a sign of respect.
hyperXs last blog post..ASUS ups ante with P565 smartphone
@ TZ
Some companies are really not worth the time. They’re so FAMOUS that they will find it difficult to get experienced people into their company.
Suggestion? Not sure my industry and yours are similar. Hhahaha. Maybe you start your own business?
@ hyperX
A candidate who doesn’t know about the company he is applying to, is a worthless one.