In this internet age, it is easy to get as much information as you can about the company you are applying with. Simply type the company name on your browser and voilà! You have the company statistics down to the previous 5 years' financials. It pays to research as much as you can.

Here are some tips on what to check out.

Get the address for the interview right. Find the best means of transport to and from the interview site. You would not want to get lost along the way and be a half hour late for the interview. Is there a car park nearby? Don't get trapped in a parking lot half a mile away from the office and then find yourself all soaked up in sweat after walking all the way from the car park.

You don't have to be a private investigator to check out the company address. Does the building have centralized air-conditioning? You might want to take a coat or blazer with you to the interview if room temperatures can be chilly. Are there public lavatories where you can at least freshen up before the interview? If you arrive early, it helps if you know that there is a reception area where you can relax instead of standing around in the hallway.

Utilize your network of peers in the industry as they might have other tips about the company you are applying with, tips that may not be that available on the web. See if your colleagues know a thing or two about the company culture, its strategic directions, or even basic day-to-day operations.

Mobilize your contacts for possible leads or referrals in your research. For all you know, the company roster might have a former co-employee or an alumni from your alma mater, and it will help to touch base with them again, albeit innocently.

What is the company's core business? Great if your set of skills fit to a "T" the job requirements, but if not, you should be able to match your strengths and compensate for the weak spots you may have. How is business conducted, and what is the company's track record? You can always surprise, if not impress, your interviewer if you can cite specific information about the company which you can back with solid research.

Don't limit your research to the company's annual report available on the company website. Expand your digging to the human aspect. Is there a dress code the company adheres to, and which you can observe when you dress up for the interview? A casual visit to the company premises or its stores or showrooms can give you advance information on what to expect from the company. Invaluable will be the insights you may gain as to the kind of working culture there. Are the employees smug and all-business, or is there a more congenial and relaxed atmosphere? See in advance how your personality will adapt to the personalities of the people you'll be meeting in the interview, from the interviewers down to the receptionists.