The industrial age had its advantages, but the information age has even more. With the increased level of technology, you have everything that you want to know literally at your fingertips. As a result, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t use this accessibility of information to your advantage.
Image by A.J Photo
If you’re looking for a job or are venturing into a business partnership, here are five ways you can benefit from doing some background research online.
You learn about the company
One of the best advantages of carrying out research on a company before going to an interview is that it educates you about what the company is about. Many interviewees are caught off guard when an interviewer asks them what they know about the company. If you do your research, you’ll be well prepared for this question and avoid looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Not knowing what the company is about places you in a negative light. Taking the time to research the company, on the other hand, demonstrates to the employer that you’re smart, proactive, and interested.
You gain an edge
Doing some online research on a company can provide you with a definite edge other candidates. Many candidates just skim read a company’s home page to get a few facts, but conducting in-depth research online has extra advantages. If the company directors are having trouble deciding which candidate to choose, the knowledge you demonstrate in the interview about the company’s history, mission, and vision statement can clinch the job for you.
You can ask intelligent questions
Many candidates are often flabbergasted when the interviewer asks if they have any questions. Some will either say no, or ask totally irrelevant questions. If you’ve done your research on a company, you can end your interview — and impress the interviewer further — by asking some intelligent questions. This shows your interest in the company as well as the fact that you did some research, and it’s certainly a step closer to an offer.
You can decide if the company is right for you
Being qualified for the job and having years of experience doesn’t necessarily make you the right fit for the job. Researching into a company will uncover not just what they do on a daily basis, but also their ethos. If your ethics differ from those of the company, you may find it hard to fit in. A little research can save you the time and prevent you from going against your principles.
You can reduce the risk of losing your investment
If you’re going into a business partnership, you need to know that the person is honest and trustworthy. Protect your investment by doing some online research to see what sort of person or persons you are dealing with. Checking the professional profile or social networking profile of company directors can glean a lot of information to help you make an informed decision about a business partnership. Googling their name may also provide invaluable information about their past. The last thing you want to do is to enter into a partnership with someone who will fleece you of all your hard-earned money.
To avoid looking clueless on the day of your interview, you can do some online research about your prospective employers. This simple activity will not only educate you about what the company does, but can give you the upper hand over other candidates. Demonstrating your knowledge about the company will leave an indelible mark on the minds of your interviewers and, ultimately, can lead to a job offer. You can also reduce the risk of making a bad investment in a business partnership by conducting research about the person or persons that you plan to go into business with. You have the information at your fingertips: take advantage of it and reap the benefits.