How To Research A Company Before A Job Interview
Publié le 14 July 2023
Be prepared for success when you’re up for your dream job by knowing how to research a company before a job interview.
Preparing for a job interview goes beyond rehearsing your answers to common interview questions. It also involves taking the time to research and understand the company you’re applying to.
Before going for an interview, you may want to get a glimpse into details like the company culture, values, reputation, or work styles. Sometimes, this may include reaching out to current employees, visiting the company’s website, or looking through their social media profiles.
Keep reading to learn more about how to research a company before a job interview.
The Importance of Understanding the Company
Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the company you intend to work with can be helpful in multiple ways. First, understanding the company allows you to know what to expect from your interviewers.
When you’re familiar with the company’s core operations, products, services and overall business goals, you’ll have a clearer picture of the industry and market in which they operate. This enables you to anticipate the types of interview questions that may be asked — although this will be tailored to fit the role you’ve applied for. With this information, you’ll be able to prepare well-thought-out answers that align with the company’s specific needs.
Another reason to understand the company before an interview is that it allows you to tailor your responses and questions to demonstrate your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the role. By showcasing your knowledge of the company’s background, history, and key milestones, you convey your commitment and dedication to the position and engagement with the organization as a whole.
Company’s Origins and Industry
When you research a company, look at how it first started. Determine the steps to start a business it followed, its original mission and vision, and the first products it sold. This can give you a deeper appreciation of how the company managed to overcome challenges and grow. It’s a great point of conversation during your job interview.
Look out for the current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry as well. Studying the company’s industry landscape also allows you to highlight how your skills and expertise can contribute to the company’s success. For example, if there is a high demand for a particular set of skills that you possess, you can simply highlight these essential skills when telling the interviewers about your experiences or abilities.
So, where do you find all this information?
- Reputable news outlets that cover industry-specific news. These sources often provide insights into company origins, current trends, market developments, and challenges faced by companies.
- Reports published by research firms, industry associations, or market research companies. These reports often provide comprehensive analysis, market forecasts, and insights into the industry’s growth potential, key players, and emerging trends.
- Online research databases like Statista, IBISWorld, or Euromonitor to access industry-specific data, statistics, and market research reports. These databases compile information from various sources and offer a wealth of data on industry trends, market size, and consumer behavior.
Social media is an interesting source of industrial information, too. Follow industry influencers, thought leaders, and company updates.
LinkedIn, in particular, offers industry-specific groups and forums where professionals share valuable knowledge and engage in discussions. Here’s one for human resource professionals, for example:
When you are planning to research a company before a job interview, you should also research the company’s main competitors. Studying their strengths, weaknesses, and market position provides you with a competitive advantage during the job interview. It allows you to understand the company’s approach to the market and how it differentiates itself from its rivals. This can be particularly beneficial in case study questions or discussions related to strategy.
Being aware of competitor movements allows you to have informed discussions with the interviewers. It shows that you are not only interested in the specific role you are applying for but also have a broader understanding of the external factors that can influence the company’s operations.
A quick Google search will yield a treasure trove of information about the company’s competitors. You can check out each competitor’s website, and related news articles online for a comprehensive view.
Financial Health
Assessing the company’s financial health is crucial to understanding its stability and growth potential. This helps you determine whether you want to work with this company in the first place.
Look for publicly available financial statements such as annual reports or quarterly filings. A simple Google search with the keywords — (company name) financial report will yield reports published by your desired company. Here’s an example:
Pay attention to key financial indicators such as revenue, profit margins, and debt levels. Analyze the company’s financial performance over the past few years and identify any notable patterns or trends.
When it comes to the job interview itself, having knowledge of the company’s financial health allows you to engage in more meaningful discussions with your interviewers. It demonstrates your business acumen and your ability to connect your skills and experiences with the company’s financial goals. With reference to the company’s financial performance, you can provide specific examples of how you can contribute to the company’s growth and profitability. Having an understanding of the current financial state of an organization is also useful when it is time to negotiate your salary.
So, don’t run away from the financials when you research a company. Instead, use this information to enhance your preparation and performance.
Overall Digital and Branding Strategy
Modern companies spend a lot on branding and marketing strategies. That means they have a strong online presence which you can explore when you learning how to research a company before a job interview.
Go through the company’s website, social media accounts, and any other online platforms where it has a presence. Take note of how the company engages with its audience, the content it shares, and the overall tone of its online communication. Two vital things to focus on here include:
- The company’s value proposition
This is the unique combination of products, services, and benefits that sets the company apart from competitors.
Pay attention to the messaging surrounding the company’s products or services. Is there a clear emphasis on quality, innovation, affordability, or customer service?
Assessing the language used and the specific features or benefits highlighted can provide valuable insights into what the company believes differentiates it from competitors. You can use this as an anchor point in your job interview.
- The company’s core messaging
Look for recurring themes, topics, or initiatives discussed across different online platforms. This gives you a sense of the company’s primary areas of emphasis and can help you align your interview responses accordingly.
For example, if the company consistently highlights its commitment to sustainability, you can tailor your interview answers to demonstrate your passion and experience in sustainable practices or initiatives.
Also, take note of the company’s target audience. Does the company target a specific demographic, industry, or market segment? Understanding the company’s intended audience allows you to align your experiences and skills with their target market, making you a more appealing candidate during the job interview.
Work Culture
According to Harvard Business Review, finding a company with a culture that resonates with you can lead to long-term job satisfaction for you if you get the job. You want to shy away from companies that exhibit a culture you don’t like. So, when you research a company, you also want to get sufficient information about the company’s core work culture.
While glancing at the company’s website will give you an idea, you may want to take your research further. Consider reaching out to current or previous employees of the company. Platforms like LinkedIn will show you people who work with a company. Here’s an example:
Feel free to send a polite and well-crafted message to these people expressing your interest in the company. This way, you’ll be more likely to start a conversation about the company’s culture and values. You should also be careful to avoid asking questions that may be too personal and sensitive. Just stick with the basics.
If you’re unable to connect with current or previous employees on social networks, you can use an email finder to get their email addresses. Reach out to them with a polite and concise email asking about their insights about the workplace. Remember to be respectful of their time and keep your communication professional.
You can also look for employee testimonials on the company’s website or employee review websites such as Glassdoor. These platforms often provide candid insights into the company’s culture, work-life balance, management style, and overall employee satisfaction. However, you should approach these reviews with a discerning eye, as they may not always represent a comprehensive view and can be subjective.
Recent Projects or Initiatives
Imagine answering an interview question and drawing examples or insights from the company’s recent projects or key initiatives. How do you see the interviewers responding? The truth is that your intentionality will be quite impressive. It’ll also show your genuine interest and engagement with what the company is all about. It shows that you’re on their side.
When preparing to research a company before a job interview, go ahead and look for press releases, news articles, or blog posts that highlight the company’s recent accomplishments or initiatives. Pay attention to any innovative projects or contributions to the industry.
Take down key learnings which you’ll use as talking points or questions to ask during your interview. It’s a big plus if you can highlight how your skills or expertise align with these projects or initiatives, and your potential to contribute to the firm’s ongoing success.
Company’s Reputation
What is the company known for? How do people feel about the brand? These are questions you want to answer before your job interview. Here, you want to pay attention to customer reviews, as well as other publications about the company.
Typically, positive reviews from users can shed light on the company’s exceptional qualities, such as excellent customer service, high-quality products, or innovative solutions. Conversely, negative reviews can highlight areas for improvement, customer pain points, or recurring issues. These are things you can highlight during your interview and provide recommendations.
Also, pay attention to any controversies or issues that may have affected the company’s image. Showing an understanding of these issues and offering thoughtful insights can convey your awareness of the company’s reputation and your ability to handle challenging situations professionally.
Conclusion
Getting a job interview can be quite exciting. It shows that you’re one step closer to being employed by the company of your choice. So, it’s quite natural that you’d want to check all the boxes.
One important aspect of preparing for a job interview is to be well-informed about the company you have applied to. You want to start with understanding the company on a broad level, what it does, and what it’s all about. Then, narrow down to more specific areas like the company’s industry and competitors, financial health, and online presence.
You also want to assess the company’s culture and values. Look out for recent projects or initiatives. Proceed to learn about the company’s reputation and public perception. The totality of these areas equips you with sufficient information to ace your job interview.
So, do you have an interview coming up? Feel free to follow this guide to learn how to research a company before a job interview. Good luck!
