How much research do you do...

[shanendoah]

before the first interview?

I'm back in the swing of things and have a phone conversation today with the VP of healthcare tech company. This VP contacted me personally the same day I applied to a position at their company, though his note says he wants to talk to me about other opportunities there. 

I've gone to their website and poked around there. Where else should I look? Any clues for what I should be looking for?

This seems like a pretty exciting opportunity, as the conversation is starting with a VP (who is listed in their "Meet Us" section- one of only 2 people in their Corporate Team). It's also an organization with a Chief Administrative Officer, which is essentially what my eventual career goal is, so it appears to be a place that values the type of work I do.

[moneymaven]

I do my bulk of research before the first interview. I try to verse myself on product and service, who the customer is internally and externally, org chart, size, reach, marketing outlets, affiliates or sponsors (essential relationships), check out any social media outlets and how they've described themselves and what their interactions online look like. If public, I might review their financials, budgets to identify what major initiatives they've got. It really helps me to develop my questions of them for that first interview and to determine if the fit will be good.

[NancysSummerSip]

Moneymaven sort of touched on it, but I also find out about their community involvement - what kinds of events do they sponsor or get involved in? Most companies are pretty proud of their community involvement - if you want to be a team player, they will likely expect you to get involved, too.

[Phoenix84]

I don't recall doing a lot of research.  Like you, I go to the employer's website and poke around, and pay particular attention to the mission statement and goals of the organization.  I try to frame my answers to interview questions with the mission statement and goals in mind when I can.

Other than that, it might be good to have an idea of the organizational structure, if you can find it.

[sheilaincali]

It's a fine line. You want to do enough research so that you know what kind of environment you are walking into but you don't want to come off as a stalker. Google the company itself- like others have mentioned- see what kind of awards or accolades they've received, what their community outreach is like, etc.

On the other side of the coin:  Don't go to facebook to cyberstalk the VP.

 

[Blonde Granny]

If it's a publicly traded company, go to Yahoo finance and look up their stock. Yahoo provides a lot of information on the company, analyst opinions, stock price, who the major stockholders are along with salaries of company officers.