Researching company for interview

[imported_vr6]

What knowlege should one have about a company before an interview? I have a very important interview this week and want to go prepared. Here are some things i am doing to prepare... Its a interview for an programming internship position @ a defense contractor.

1. Bring 3 copies on my resume on resume paper.
2. Suit and tie
3. Arrive 20min early.
4. REDBULL

During the interview...

1. Firm handshake

2. Eye contact

3. Ask questions...here are a couple i found from searching and thought was good.
*What will be my main priorities for this position.
*What kind of organizational structure does this company operate under?
*Who will be my mentor and what kind of advice will he/she will be able to provide?
*Is there anything that makes you feel that i am not suited for this position?

4. Thanks you letter.
*From what i gathered, i will be interview with 4 people as the same time, do i just send four copies of
*of the thank you letter to them?
*since i don't have the e-mail addresses of the interviewers, do i just mail the letters to the office
*and have them foward them to the interviewers?


Any comment or suggestions on my questions that i plan to ask and what kind of information i should know about the company?

 

[nageov3t]

20 minutes early seems like a bit much... if I were the interviewer, I think I'd be kind of annoyed. though planning on getting there 20 minutes early and walking in the door 5 minutes early seems like a good idea.

 

[crypticlogin]

20 minutes early seems like a bit much... if I were the interviewer, I think I'd be kind of annoyed. though planning on getting there 20 minutes early and walking in the door 5 minutes early seems like a good idea.

I'd only be annoyed if the applicant showed up like an hour early, and that's if I don't have a lobby or waiting area. Fifteen, twenty minutes is very acceptable, especially if there are any papers to read and fill out. Plus it'll give you a little time to get into the right mindset and wind down from the hassle of getting there.

But that looks like a pretty good list, Kwan1. You can always ask the interviewers afterwards about addressing thank you letters.

Good luck with the interview

 

[rh71]

Know the size of the company and their financials to a certain extent. Know who their clients are (if this info is provided).

Subtract:
*Who will be my mentor and what kind of advice will he/she will be able to provide?

Add:
*What would a typical day on the job be like for my position ?
*Will I be working closely with other depts/divisions ? Team leader ?

Remember not to act as if they are in complete control. You're job hunting too (even if it's just an internship). They can appreciate honesty.

 

[LordSnailz]

Originally posted by: rh71
Know the size of the company and their financials to a certain extent. Know who their clients are (if this info is provided).

Subtract:
*Who will be my mentor and what kind of advice will he/she will be able to provide?

Add:
*What would a typical day on the job be like for my position ?

Remember not to act as if they are in complete control. You're job hunting too. They can appreciate honesty.

Exactly what I was going to add ... I won't be a bad idea to brush up on some current events either. Good Luck!

 

[imported_vr6]

Yeah that mentor question was there cause i just wanted a list of questions that i can pick from. So i'll probably erase it or something.

Is using e-mail as the form of a thank you letter too casual? I figure i'll just ask the interviewer for their business card to get their info.

Financial information? What would i need it for if i am going to be an programming intern.

How specific should i get when it comes to knowing what they do? They have alot of projects and programs that is very high tech, stuff that i am not familiar with. Should i metion specific project names and results?

Thanks for reading my long post.
Kwan1.

 

[nageov3t]

e-mail vs letter depends on the age of the person interviewing you, I think. unless they're young (early-mid twenties, which is unlikely), I'd go with a formal, snail-mail letter.