Scenario: You have applied for a position and an HR interview is upon you.
Wisdom: Research the company!
Groundbreaking, right?
Well, you will be surprised, how often talented candidates get rejected exactly because of that.
Now, the small print:
'Research the Company' does not equal to 'spend a nano-second before the interview googling the company'. You may think that you managed to cheat life itself. You have not. You will get rejected due to a 'lack of cultural fit'.
So how much time to spend researching the company?
I say 20 minutes.
And:
During the interview, really demonstrate your knowledge!
After your interview, the HR is required to share his impression with the CEO. I can promise you that you will be 'that person, who absolutely loves us '.
Now, he/she is excited to meet you :)