Researching for your screening job interview will be somewhat similar to the research you do to prepare for the Career Fair. Focus on understanding the employer and its needs to ensure that you will prove your utility through your interview. Be sure to find information about the company, the industry, and the job position you are interviewing for. Do online research about the company from the channels it owns, as well as established sources.

What can you find out about the company through its website? Search for:

• Company history
• Products and services
• Brand values and culture

Are there trade/industry magazines and journals you can read? Look for:

• Past accomplishments
• New innovations
• Competitor news
• Use University Library databases to find information about the industry and company from outside sources to get a well-rounded view of who they are.
• Learn more about the industry and see analysis and forecasts by professionals using IbisWorld USA.
• Look at SEC Form 10-Ks to find comprehensive financial reports from the company. Know how the company is doing from a business standpoint.

Read Yearly Reports:

• What are the company's goals?
• Does the company have significant increases/decreases in growth?
• Note details of interest in your area of expertise and identify how to position yourself as an asset that can help the company achieve its goals.

Find news stories and press releases for the company to understand its status over time.

• Set up Google Alerts for news about the company.
• Use Factiva database of business news to find past reports about the company.

Ask your contacts for their insights through informational interviews

• You can learn most efficiently by soliciting the ideas of experts in the field.
• Find contacts using Careershift (through HireAggies), Aggie Network, and LinkedIn.

Research salary rates of people with your qualifications in similar job positions in case the topic comes up during the interview.