Once you've landed an interview, you've got your foot wedged in the front door of a prospective employer. Now you just have to prove that you belong inside the company. The best way to do that is to arrive at your interview informed and inquisitive. Demonstrate that you can prepare for an interview, and you'll show you're prepared to take the job.

So, where do you start your research? Why, the Internet, of course. If the company has a web site, go there first. Poke around their home page. Try to soak up information about the company, its history, and where it's headed. Learn about their products and services, especially anything new or upcoming. If you're applying to a dot-com, this is obviously very important. It's also not a bad idea to check out the web sites belonging to the company's competition.

Some major companies, such as Intel and Microsoft, include details about the very job you're applying for on their sites. As you peruse the pages, figure out why (and if) the company's product interests you, and what you can do to contribute your support. Keep a log of potential questions to ask during your interview. Prepare yourself for the interrogative query, "So, what can you do for us?"

Once you've explored the company's web site and those of their competitors, it's time to move on to outside sources. There are a handful of companies whose sole purpose is to provide inside information on thousands of prominent companies. Do a keyword search on your favorite search engine for terms such as "company research" to browse among sites that offer such information.

When researching a particular company or institution, there is some essential information to look for. Here is a list of the dozen basics you should know about any company you hope would consider you as an employee:

• Product or services
• Parent company/subsidiaries
• Date founded
• Locations of offices
• Size of company
• Growth history
• Potential for future growth
• Current problems
• Current opportunities
• Major competitors
• Research & development efforts
• Noteworthy new developments

Besides these basics, there are some job-specific details that would be beneficial to know before walking in the door of a potential boss. Here is a list of a half-dozen more specific minutiae:

• Major duties of position
• Minimum requirements for position
• Person in charge of your department
• The company's distinctions in the field
• Potential career paths within the organization
• The atmosphere of the organization

Once you've filled your brain with the details of the company, it's time to show your stuff in the interview. There are many ways to impress your interviewer. For example, try to regurgitate one piece of random company information during your interview. For instance, imagine that you're interviewing for The New York Times, and your interviewer mentions the storied periodical's quality of writing. You say, "Sure, The Times didn't win 77 Pulitzer Prizes for puff pieces." Or, if you're talking about the business aspect of the corporation, imagine the interviewer's response when you casually remark that the overall revenue for The New York Times in 1999 was $3.131 billion, an annual growth of over 6 percent. Better yet, discuss the current quarter (available on public company reports). That sort of demonstration of your understanding is invaluable.

The savvy job hunter will also research online for an appropriate salary. You'll be better off if you walk into your interview informed on the stipend you deserve, based on your location, occupation, and experience. That way you can know if the job offer is a dud, or if it's the steal of the century.

As vital as web research is, it's important not to over-rely on the Internet. In addition to the wealth of resources available on the web, there are a few non web-based points of research. If you're still in school, talk with your academic advisors and professors, or check in with the career center. Tap any friends in the field for their perspectives on the company. Read newspapers, professional and industry journals, and company annual reports. Public libraries usually carry resources for researching companies, such as the Thomas Register.

If the company you're applying to has a product for sale, pick one up and study it. For example, if you're applying to a magazine, pick up a recent issue (or two or three) and read it cover to cover. Having too much knowledge never hurt anyone.

Additionally, the human resources (HR) department at the prospective company may have literature that includes product brochures, job descriptions, and other orientation materials. You can show off your enthusiasm and impress the people that influence whether you eventually get hired.

An interviewee who demonstrates the foresight to research the company shows determination and professionalism. Spend the time to discover how the Internet can prepare you for your interview, and you won't be let down.