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Get Prepared 77

weaknesses in the way you answer questions. Some may even ask, “What
are some Ofvour iueaknesses?” From the very beginning of your job search,
you should have identified your strengths and communicated them clearly
to employers in your resumes, letters, and networking activities. The job
interview enables you to further communicate your strengths to the
employer. But you will only be able to do so if you first conduct a
thorough assessment of what you do well and enjoy doing. Don’t begin
loolung for a job until you first complete this self assessment. For more
information on self assessment, see another of our books, Discover the
Best Jobs for You.

Research Your Field of Work
and Related Organizations

You need to gather as much information as possible about your industry
in general and your field of work in particular. You should also find out
as much as you can about the organizations in your targeted community
- this may be where you live or where you would like to live - that hire
for the kinds of positions in which you are interested. Principles 6-8 in
Chapter 4 discuss this process.
If you want to work for a large corporation you will be able to obtain
some information from written sources - business directories available
in the reference section of your local library as well as public relations
brochures you can obtain from the company. If you are interested in
worlung for a small local firm there will be less available in printed
publications, but this does not preclude you from doing research. Check
the Internet. Most firms, regardless of size, have websites that offer a
great deal of information about their organizations.
Whether you are researching a small local firm or a huge multi-
national corporation, information gathered by talking with people who
are familiar with the company will likely yield the most useful informa-
tion. Do you lnow someone who works for the company or who has
worked for the company recently? These are important people to talk
with. If you don’t lnow anyone who is or has been an employee, ask your
friends if any of them do. Put the word out that you are interested in
finding out more about the company. Chances are someone you Inow will
lnow of someone who can answer many of your questions. These personal
contacts will provide insights not normally available in company publica-