Here's some advice on doing your research before job interviews from the book, "How to Survive Your First Job (or Any Job)" (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $14.95), straight from people who've done it:
    
    "When you go in for an interview, understand why you want to Work for this company; not just the job, but the company. That's critical. Read everything about that company. Spend hours researching it. Go online and find out all the information you can. People who sit across from me and flatter me with what they know about the company are the people who impress me. And don't ask stupid questions like `What does your company do?' `What does your department do?' `Who's your customer?' I can't tell you how many people have done that with me."
    Anonymous, New York, N.Y.
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    "In one failed interview, the interviewer was asking me questions about doing general things like answering phones and greeting people. He was summing up, saying, "So you can do this, and you can do that, and you might even be able to participate in various presentations to clients." I was feeling all jolly and happy, thinking I could definitely show up at this company, answer some phones, and give some killer speeches. And then the interviewer said, "Can you tell us your idea of what we do here?" I had no clue! After 15 minutes of a purely brilliant interview, there was this deadly awkward pause. My eyes desperately searched the room, and I noticed a sign over the door that said something about party planning, so I babbled something about that. The interviewer said curtly, "That's not our company. We have nothing to do with that." I wasn't too jolly or happy after that. I had made one of the gravest interview mistakes.
    Jessie, Philadelphia, Pa.
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    "Do not go into an interview without learning about the company or person you will be meeting. I studied for a week for my interview. I wanted to know that I could answer anything I was asked. First, I educated myself on the company. Then I found out who their clients were. I got information on the clients' chief executive officers and the products they sold. During the interview, I was asked how I could make improvements for some of their clients, and I was very prepared. It paid off.
    Anonymous, Santa Cruz, Calif.
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    Hundreds of Heads Books' survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life's biggest challenges and have insight to share.
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