What do you do if you want to research a company before an interview?

If you have an upcoming interview, you might be wondering how to prepare yourself for it. One of the best ways to impress your potential employer is to show that you have done your homework on their company. Researching a company before an interview can help you understand their mission, vision, values, culture, products, services, customers, competitors, and challenges. It can also help you tailor your answers, ask relevant questions, and demonstrate your enthusiasm and fit for the role. In this article, we will share some tips on how to research a company before an interview and what to look for.

1 Use multiple sources

Don't rely on just one source of information to learn about a company. You can use a combination of online and offline resources to get a comprehensive and balanced view of the organization. For instance, you can visit the company's website to find official and updated information about its history, mission, vision, values, goals, products, services, achievements, news, events, and social responsibility initiatives. Additionally, you can explore the company's social media accounts to see how it interacts with customers and followers. Reviews and ratings platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, Trustpilot, or Google Reviews can provide honest opinions about the company from employees, customers, and industry experts. Researching the company's industry and market can show you its position, performance, and potential in its sector and niche. You can also use offline sources like the company's network or events to connect with people who work or have worked for the company. Attending events like career fairs or webinars can provide an opportunity to ask questions about the company's culture, values, expectations, goals, products, services, customers, competitors and opportunities.

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Lara Odushegun

Empowering professional women to influence, inspire and impact as a leader | Global Speaker | Leadership Coach | International Best-Selling Author | NLP Master Coach | Mindfulness Practitioner | Advocate of Self Love 💖
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Before an interview, thorough research on the company is essential. Start by exploring the company's website, mission, and values to understand its culture and priorities. Look at recent news articles, press releases, and social media platforms for insights into their current projects and achievements. Investigate the industry landscape and competitors to grasp the company's positioning. Also, review the job description to align your skills and experiences with their needs, enabling you to ask informed questions during the interview and demonstrate your genuine interest and preparedness.

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2 Focus on relevance

Rather than attempting to memorize all information you find about a company, concentrate on the data that is pertinent to the role you are applying for and the interview you are preparing for. Utilize the job description, the company's website, and industry trends to direct your research. Possible inquiries to ask yourself include: what are the responsibilities, skills, and qualifications needed for the role; what are the goals, challenges, and opportunities for the role; what are the products, services, customers, and competitors of the company; what are the values, vision, and culture of the company; how does the role and company align with your own values, vision, and goals? Answering these questions can help you better understand how you fit into the company.

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3 Apply your findings

Don't just collect information about a company. Use it to prepare your answers, questions, and attitude for the interview. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers using specific examples from your research. You can also use the information to ask insightful and meaningful questions that show your interest, curiosity, and knowledge about the company. You can also use the information to express your enthusiasm, confidence, and fit for the role and the company.

Researching a company before an interview is a crucial step to ace your interview and stand out from the crowd. It can help you demonstrate your professionalism, preparation, and passion for the role and the company. It can also help you decide if the company is the right fit for you and your career goals. Follow these tips to research a company before an interview and impress your potential employer.

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4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Allison Mark, SHRM, RACR
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There are multiple platforms you can use to research a company, such as glassdoor, and indeed. Keep in mind a lot of people use Glassdoor as a venting tool. If they don’t like the company, and there are people who will do multiple reviews that can be negative or positive. Personally, I would check the company website and I would also look here on LinkedIn for people who have jobs at that company to see what their titles are, and how long they have been within the industry. Is there a recent college graduate already in a high-level capacity? Is there somebody who has multiple degrees but is still seemingly in an entry-level position? Also, how is the diversity and inclusion and culture of the company? These are my factors.

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What do you do if you want to research a company before an interview?

1

2

3

4

1 Use multiple sources

2 Focus on relevance

3 Apply your findings

4 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Coaching

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What do you do if you want to research a company before an interview?

1

2

3

4

1 Use multiple sources

2 Focus on relevance

3 Apply your findings

4 Here’s what else to consider

Personal Coaching

Rate this article

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