Write a short note on researching a company before an interview.

Answers will vary. Nothing can hurt a job candidate more than knowing little about the organization he or she is interviewing with. Preparation will also arm candidates with information needed to develop pertinent qualifications and point their stories to solve an employer's specific problems. Companies that have publicly traded stock are required to publish annual reports that are available in school libraries or online. Be sure to read news items and blog posts, and sign up to receive news alerts from the prospective company for current company information up until the day of the interview. Use social networking utilities such as LinkedIn and Hoovers.com to find profiles of company leaders and gain insights on the types of managers this company employs.
Employees of the company or other applicants who have interviewed might be of help to the interviewee. Employee reviews of selected companies, salaries, and sample interview questions are available online, and some universities share taped interviews with various company recruiters.