If you prefer to search for books and periodicals at the library, go directly to the reference desk and tell the reference librarian exactly what you're trying to do. Reference librarians, in my experience, are even more valuable than a good career coach when it comes to guiding people to exactly the kind of information they are looking for at this stage. He or she will expertly guide you to databases of newspapers, reports, reference books, and other written material that you can peruse until you find the information that seems most critical to the interview.
In most libraries, you can also use a database with valuable information on more than 12 million U.S. companies and 1.3 million Canadian organizations called Reference USA. If you want to arm yourself with even more facts, check out Dow Jones Interactive, Net Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet's Million Dollar Database, Edgar-Online, CareerJournal.com, or the Riches' Guide. You can even log on to these storehouses of information at home if you have a library card and a personal identification number.
Initially, research will lower your anxiety level because you know with whom you're dealing.
Finally, spouting off facts and educated opinions about a company are some of the surest ways to win over an interviewer!
Winding Up Your Strategy
I bet by this point you're ready to grab your briefcase and run to your next interview. That's great! And your enthusiasm will help you in interviews too, but before you dash off, there are a few small (but important!) matters to attend to-those extra touches that will make you feel totally prepared and give you the confidence to stride into your interview like a champion.
1. You need to assemble some references and recommendations. (Don't worry-they don't have to be from the Secretary of State or Donald Trump.)
2. Next, you need to prepare a neat and classy presentation packet. A presentation packet is a simple paper folder with one "pocket" on the inside of each flap where you'll place some essential documents needed in the interview, like letters of recommendation, a list of references, and an extra copy of your resume. (It'll cost you about 69 cents!)
3. Finally, you need to be absolutely sure that come wind, rain, or fire, you get to the interview on time.
Recommendations
If you are like most professionals working today, you'll probably hold several jobs between now and the time you retire. In fact, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor, most adults will hold over five jobs in a lifetime.
People leave jobs for many reasons: a better offer, a less demanding commute, a desire to change industries or cities, a discovery that they'd like to pursue another interest or dream, a feeling they've reached a "dead end" for advancement, or a better personality fit with their boss or coworkers.
Often these transitions are smooth; on occasion they are difficult or acrimonious. But if at all possible, try to get a letter of recommendation on company letterhead from a supervisor, manager, officer, or executive of the company before you leave. Most bosses, even when the separation from the company may have been less than pleasant, are still willing to write you a letter of recommendation. Even if you were fired, an employer would rather give you a positive-sounding letter and bid you luck on your way out the door than have you feel so disgruntled that you may take some negative action toward the company like suing it, or going to the media with a distasteful story. Although it's unlikely you'll receive a letter under these circumstances, a recommendation on company letterhead can help you enormously.
There are three sources of information a prospective employer can use to judge the character of a job applicant:
1. What the applicant says himself or herself, either in the resume or the interview
2. What others say about the applicant in letters of recommendation and references
3. The applicant's own actions, which is an area an employer will know the least about until an applicant is actually hired
Naturally, the employer wants to know as much information as possible about you before making an investment in hiring you. A new hire, no matter how adept he or she is, usually means an initial loss of money for an employer while the person is being trained and getting "up to speed." It's usually months before the new employer starts to make his or her return on the investment in hiring someone.
If you don't feel comfortable asking your immediate supervisor for a letter, try approaching someone above that person, or someone even closer to the top. A letter from a coworker can also speak well for your character.
A letter of recommendation can be fairly generic (and you can use it to apply for multiple jobs) and would look like the sample letter on the following page.
If your employer is writing a letter of recommendation for you and is wondering what to include, tell him or her to outline the following:
1. Some of your most valuable skills
2. A few of your personal traits
3. Any of your outstanding accomplishments or contributions to the company
4. Things you may have done as a volunteer
5. Any awards or special recognition you were given
6. A sentiment that the company regrets to see you go
7. A statement that recommends you to future employers
8. An offer that he or she may be contacted in the future regarding your time at the company
Often, the manager or supervisor at your current company is willing to write you a recommendation . . . but he is so busy that it's difficult for him to finish the task. Ask if you can write your own letter of recommendation and have him edit and sign it.
If you can, include letters of recommendation from three different people, along with a fresh copy of your resume, when you go to the interview. Do not send these letters to the employer before the interview unless you're explicitly asked to do so. Employers have only 7 to 90 seconds to spend reading materials you send before the interview. Don't overburden them with letters at this point. Since letters of recommendation are optional, and for "average" interviewers, rather rare, why not save the letters for a surprise bonus at the interview just to tip those scales even further in your direction when the time comes?
Be sure that the people who signed or wrote these letters know that you are applying for new positions so that they will be prepared if a prospective employer calls them. We don't want the busy people who supported you with a letter to say "Ellen who?" when it comes time for a prospective employer to check on your recommendations.