The Background Check

You have probably heard of the term "background check" and most likely associate it with the FBI or some high security job.  You should run your own background check on the company and or person you are interviewing with.  If you know a little bit about the place and the people, you will be in a more familiar and consequently, more comfortable place during the interview. 

Before the interview you should:

Visit the company and/or the place of the interview.
You won't have to worry about getting lost or being late.  The last thing you want to do is to add to your stress.

Research history and philosophy
You might find this general information by going to the company's web site or visiting the personnel office prior to the interview to see if any brochures are available to the public.

Research financial information
Look in the business section of the newspaper for current news about your potential company as well as its most prominent products and competitors. You never know when this information might become handy during the interview.