Research. Research. Research.

Every job hunting book, I have read or wrote, has always emphasized that the candidate should research the company before the interview. Study the company like a chess move.

Yet I am surprised that people still do not do it. 

I suspect that some people must have to get burned multiple times before they recognize a hot oven. For example, my friend just came back from an interview. I asked," Did you research the company on the Internet?'  

"No," was the reply. 

"Did you look at their D&B report?"

"Did you talk to the chamber of commerce about them?"

"Did you examine their competitors?"

"Did you research their founders' backgrounds?"

"No was the reply. No, no and no."

"How did the interview go?"

"Fine."

My friend received an offer and took the job. I do not know if the research would have helped or not. It obviously was not necessary to get the job offer. 

I hope that it is not another hot oven. Research will help, but time will tell for sure.

I still recommend the research.