Mail Time! Google your Way to a New Job

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I thought I'd share a nice note from a student I met a few weeks ago:

Date: 5/11/2009

Subject: Hey Brian

Brian,

Just wanted to let you know that after taking your advice when you came to JMU, I was able to land an internship at AOL for the summer. Before my first interview I researched the marketing manager like crazy the night before, then found information about her and her team members the night after the interview. I nailed the second interview by doing a couple more hours of research on my next interviewer the following week.

I don't know if I would have won out over the other candidates if it weren't for those couple of hours spent googling AOL marketing managers.

Hope all is well!

Lindsey M

I enjoy notes like this for two reasons: 1) it's great to hear success stories from people who employ the strategies and tactics we discuss on this blog and 2) they provide a little inspiration for those of you who are currently interviewing.

I spent some time on the phone today with a recruiter from one of the ten largest companies in the U.S. and our conversation turned to interviewing.  I told the recruiter that I believe candidates can almost guarantee themselves a second-round interview by doing more prep work and research than the competition.  The recruiter agreed.  That's actually what Lindsey did during her interviews at AOL.  She wanted the job more than any of the other candidates.  She didn't say it, she demonstrated it with her research and the questions she asked as a result.

Remember, actions speak louder than words.

Please share some of your interviewing anecdotes and tips in the comments section!