Aug 16, 2015

Interview Tip - Patent Research - Do a background check

Do a background check

Although you may have received a call from a consultant, or the HR of a company, it is important for you to do a thorough background check of the company you are applying in:
  • Connect with people working in the company / or scan the connections you have in the company, and ask them about the work, overall culture, etc. Most would be happy to help
  • Make sure your profile fits, and that you wouldn't end up being a surprised 'singer in a dance group'. Yes, that's a bad analogy, but you get what I mean. 
For example, if you are more from a search and analysis background - going into a role which requires drafting might not be a good career choice - especially if the company you are going into is not tolerant and doesn't provide training. Same goes from legal, and vice versa.
  • Make sure the company gets business, and is stable in case it doesn't. This one is hard to follow, but very important for going into upper and middle management roles, especially if you have a dependent family. Can the company sustain a period of no business, and will that affect your salary?