f you’ve reached the interview stage, you should now be confident in the knowledge, skills and experience you have to offer commercial businesses. Whether this is the first interview you have had since you left the military or the 10th, you are still going to want to get it right and first thing to note is that preparation – as well as interview practice – really is key! For more guidance, read this post showcasing SaluteMyJob’s top five tips on how best to prepare for a job interview.
Make sure you understand the breadth of what the company does and what the job you are being interviewed for, requires from you. You must be fully prepared to answer any questions about the company and the job role. Nobody is expecting you to be an expert, but you must show the employer that you have done your research. We also recommend researching the interviewer/s so you know who you are talking to.
Here are 7 questions to be sure you can answer about a company and the interviewer/s before stepping foot in an interview.
1. WHAT DOES THE COMPANY DO?
Visit the employer’s website and find out how the company describes what they do. It’s essential that you understand the different components of the business, even if they’re not all directly relevant to the role you are interviewing for. What are the different products or services they offer, how does the company make money?
2. COMPANY MISSION
The company’s mission is what you will be striving towards when you start. So be sure you clearly understand What is their mission statement? Find out what their their values are and how closely they align to yours.
3. COMPETITORS
Who are their 3 closest competitors? Do your research to see who is performing well in the industry and how they claim to stand out from these companies.
4. PERFORMANCE
How is the company performing? Hunt down their annual report, if you can. How did the company perform over the last 3 financial years? Is the sector it operates in growing? What challenges does the company and sector face over the coming years? And finally how does this impact the job that you’re applying for?
5. ARMED FORCES FRIENDLY?
Thousands of companies have now pledged their support to the Armed Forces through the Armed Forces Covenant. Has the company you’re interviewing for signed it, and if so what have they pledged to do? Many of these organisations pledge to support the recruitment of ex-Service men and women so it’s well worth delving into. It might also be worth noting who signed the pledge in case you need to quote them.
6. IN THE NEWS
Get a real insight into the company you could be working for by reading their blog and social media posts. Also check to see if there are any recent mentions of the company in the press that you could discuss during your interview. Going this extra mile will help you to look pro-active and well-informed.
7. THE INTERVIEWERS
Use LinkedIn to gain an insight into your interviewer/s. This will help you pitch your answers appropriately.