don't assume they remember what you said in your application.
For interviewees, on the other hand, it pays to remember things about the interviewer or their organization. It is an opportunity to demonstrate both interest and competence.
My first job ever was as telephone order entry operator at a store that sold office supplies. At one point in the interview the interviewer walked me to the floor, past the section that was doing drop shipping. Then she started to explain to me what drop shipping was -- "It is when we take the order on behalf of the supplier and then the supplier ships it from their location directly to the customer's door, without the merchandise entering our physical control at any point."
I mentioned "Well, strictly speaking, you don't deliver it to the door. You deliver it to anywhere on the first floor or anywhere accessible by dolly if there is an elevator provided, for an extra charge of $35, with exceptions noted in the catalog."
That got me some googly eyes.
"Its on your website. I made it my business to know your business."
As soon as I said that I realized that a) that was probably the best line I had ever delivered in my life and b) that job was so mine. And it was. There is a reason they put "attention to detail" in the solicitation. (Incidentally, you can totally hack this. Learn five interesting facts about the opposite party, and steer the conversation such that you're able to use one or two of them. I certainly didn't memorize everything about the company prior to my job interview.)
For interviewees, on the other hand, it pays to remember things about the interviewer or their organization. It is an opportunity to demonstrate both interest and competence.
My first job ever was as telephone order entry operator at a store that sold office supplies. At one point in the interview the interviewer walked me to the floor, past the section that was doing drop shipping. Then she started to explain to me what drop shipping was -- "It is when we take the order on behalf of the supplier and then the supplier ships it from their location directly to the customer's door, without the merchandise entering our physical control at any point."
I mentioned "Well, strictly speaking, you don't deliver it to the door. You deliver it to anywhere on the first floor or anywhere accessible by dolly if there is an elevator provided, for an extra charge of $35, with exceptions noted in the catalog."
That got me some googly eyes.
"Its on your website. I made it my business to know your business."
As soon as I said that I realized that a) that was probably the best line I had ever delivered in my life and b) that job was so mine. And it was. There is a reason they put "attention to detail" in the solicitation. (Incidentally, you can totally hack this. Learn five interesting facts about the opposite party, and steer the conversation such that you're able to use one or two of them. I certainly didn't memorize everything about the company prior to my job interview.)