Why is this so important?
When you do your research on the company and the position, you demonstrate how interested you truly are in, and enthusiastic about, interviewing with that company.
Also, the more you know about the company, the better you will be able to assess your potential fit with that company.
AND, having a better understanding of the company and position will help you better address questions asked by the employer and will enhance the relevance of the questions you ask!
Additionally:
Discover if the company is a good match for you
Identify the company's strengths and needs so you can optimally market yourself
Show potential employers your intitiative and enthusiasm
Answer interview questions confidently
Know what questions to ask of the prospective employer
Make an informaed employment decision
What are some of the things I should know?
Gather information about the specific position of interest, the company and the industry, in general. Start your research by locating onformation about the following:
Where should I look?
The first place to look is the company's website; however, be mindful of the fact that the information you receive about the company from that site is from the perspective of that company! To get a more balanced perspective, check out some of the following, as well:
Consult recent newspaper or magazine articles
Do a web search of the company name using Yahoo! or Google
Ask professors in your field what they know about the organization
Request company literature