Three Big Reasons You Are Expected to Do Your Homework About Potential Employers
|
Posted By: Eddie Francis on December 27, 2015 You have to know what you’re getting yourself into when you apply for a job. Let’s say your résumé passes the initial review and you get an invitation for a phone interview. In my capacity as a recruiter, that is often where I am the gatekeeper. If I like what I hear, then I will forward you to the major decision-makers. That’s when it is really time to impress hiring managers and one non-negotiable expectation is that you will have done some level of research on the company or organization. Here is why we expect you to do some level of homework before interviews: 1. We want to see how you view yourself as part of the company's culture. The better you know your skill set and personality, the better an idea you get of how you fit into the fabric of an organization. If you have not done so, take a professional career assessment to get an idea of the kinds of environments that are best for you. At the same time, take time to learn about the organization's environment. For example, my biggest strength is communication; and my assessments have all pointed to my need to be in environments where flexibility exists, risk-taking is rewarded, and employees love to communicate. As a result, I ask questions to gauge the personalities and activity of work environments. 2. Your level of research gives a clue about your work ethic as well as your critical thinking skills. Is your idea of research visiting the home page of a web site or is it reading articles and blogs about the company? The candidate who can recite the mission of a company to the hiring manager is one thing. The candidate who asks questions about that mission as well as reads articles and employee reviews is another thing. This is also about digging for information. The more information you find and the less fearless you are about asking hard questions, the more respect you get from good companies—note the word “good.” Companies that don’t appreciate being investigated by potential employees are probably not worth your time. 3. It’s about vision. Good employers value candidates with vision. Vision tells us that you take your talents seriously and it tells us that you have goals. While vision is important, it is not about having very detailed goals but rather a notion of where you want to be. Asking questions gives the employer an idea of your vision and tells them there is a good chance you would value the company or organization as well. Photo courtesy of Adrian Escalante If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Eddie Francis
Founder & Principal, Edify Ventures, LLC Loyola Univ, New Orleans class of 1995 Member Since October 2008 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Career Content
 |
Spending time in a GARAGE Build it Guard it Design it Man Cave itHow many different types of Garages are under construction as we read?
👷🏽♂️Architects
“ How much does an Architectural Intern make in Columbus, Ohio?
As of Feb ...more
How May I Help You NC • 137 Views • February 12th, 2026 |
 |
Unlock Your Entrepreneur Journey — NEXT GEN Info SessionDate & TimeTuesday, February 1710:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM ESTVirtual EventREGISTER HERE:https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a...Tuesday, March 1710:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM CST / 1:00 ...more
Laura Van Brackle Sims • 334 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
Love a little help from my friend: Stevie WonderCurator: Sami YenigunStevie Wonder needs little introduction. His awards and achievements — 25 Grammy Awards, a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, more than 100 million records sold worldwide — ...more
How May I Help You NC • 376 Views • February 9th, 2026 |
 |
YouTube CEO — 4 Big Priorities for 2026 Neal Mohan@YouTube CEO @nealmohan talks with YouTube Liaison @ReneRitchie about his four big priorities for 2026, including:
⭐️ Reinventing entertainment: Cre ...more
How May I Help You NC • 456 Views • February 8th, 2026 |
Popular Career Content
 |
PAID, federal internships with the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative!The Washington Center Federal Diversity Internship Initiative Now is your chance to apply for paid fall internships with the Federal Diversity Internship Initiative! This is your once-in-a-lifetime op ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 41,909 Views • June 14th, 2017 |
 |
Today's Success Tip: Joachim de Posada says, Don't eat the marshmallow...yetWe were invited to the National Association of African Americans in Human Resource's reception held at the
Atlanta Marriott Marquis during the SHRM conference, and the gift/tip we walked away with w ...more
How May I Help You NC • 41,017 Views • June 29th, 2012 |
