Why is researching a company the key to acing your media sales interview?

1 Know your target

Researching a company helps you understand their goals, values, and challenges. This will enable you to tailor your pitch, demonstrate your relevance, and anticipate their needs. For example, you can find out what kind of media products and services they offer, who their target audience and competitors are, and what their unique selling proposition is. You can also learn about their culture, mission, and vision, and how they measure success. By knowing your target, you can show that you are genuinely interested in working with them and that you can add value to their business.

2 Prepare your questions

Researching a company also helps you prepare your questions for the interview. Asking smart and insightful questions shows that you have done your homework, that you are curious and engaged, and that you are looking for a long-term partnership. For example, you can ask about their current media strategy, their expectations for the role, their feedback process, and their growth plans. You can also ask about their challenges, opportunities, and trends in the media industry, and how you can help them achieve their objectives. By preparing your questions, you can show that you are confident, proactive, and solution-oriented.

3 Avoid common mistakes

Researching a company also helps you avoid common mistakes that can ruin your chances of getting hired. Some of these mistakes are: showing up unprepared, being vague or generic, making false or exaggerated claims, talking too much or too little, and asking inappropriate or irrelevant questions. For example, you don't want to ask about salary, benefits, or vacation time in the first interview, or to say that you don't know much about the company or their media products. You also don't want to badmouth your previous employers, clients, or colleagues, or to lie about your achievements or skills. By avoiding common mistakes, you can show that you are professional, respectful, and honest.

4 Stand out from the crowd

Researching a company also helps you stand out from the crowd of other applicants who may have similar qualifications and experience. By showing that you have done your research, you can impress your interviewer with your enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity. For example, you can mention something positive that you have read or heard about the company, such as a recent award, a successful campaign, or a social impact project. You can also share some ideas or suggestions on how to improve their media performance, reach new audiences, or solve a problem. By standing out from the crowd, you can show that you are memorable, innovative, and valuable.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?