Best Ways to Research a Company Before an Interview
by Kelsey Arrington on Feb 14, 2023 One of the most critical steps a candidate can take to prepare for the hiring process is to research the company that they are applying to. Not only does this demonstrate the candidate’s interest in the organization and the job position, but it also helps them gauge what the organization is looking for in an employee. But, with so much information out there, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out where to begin. The good news is that in this article, we will explore some of the best ways to research a company before a job interview. With these tips, you’ll be able to walk into a meeting with your prospective employer with confidence.
In this post:
- Top Reasons Why Candidates Should Always Research Potential Employers
- Best Ways to Research a Company You’re Applying To
Top Reasons Why Candidates Should Always Research Potential Employers
Before putting your bid in to see if you’re the best candidate for a job, it’s a good idea to research the company. Here are the top reasons why:
Express interest and job preparedness. Researching a company demonstrates that you are interested in the job and have set aside the time to prepare for the upcoming interview. It also empowers you to ask informed questions during the interview.
Gain an understanding of the company culture. By reviewing the organization’s values, mission, and goals, you can get a better idea of how you’d fit within the company.
Prepare answers to interview questions. Having knowledge about a company’s mission, product/service offerings, and industry trends can help you engage in a meaningful conversation with your prospective employers.
Determine opportunities for growth. Researching a company’s current state, history, and future plans can help you gauge what potential growth opportunities there might be and how your experience can contribute to the company’s goals.
Understand the company’s reputation. Reading news headlines, social media pages, and employee reviews can provide an inside scoop into the company’s reputation – which can help you make informed decisions about the position.
Best Ways to Research a Company You’re Applying To
Visit the organization’s website. Before an interview, it helps to read about the company’s history, what products and services they offer, and who is filling its leadership positions.
Attend company events if possible. If possible, show up to webinars, job fairs, and conferences held by the company (or others in the same industry). This will help you learn more about the company you’re applying for.
Look at press releases, news headlines, and white papers. Review as much information as possible to gain a deep understanding of recent company achievements, major projects, and how they are performing compared to others in the industry.
Browse the business’ social media profiles. Try to get a sense of the brand’s personality, integrity, and how they engage with their consumers.
Connect with companies on professional networking sites. Visit networking sites, such as Linkedin, to look up former and current employees and to learn more about the company you wish to work for.
Read reviews to gain insights into the company culture. Checking out employee review sites, like Glassdoor, can help you gain insights into the interview process and the work environment you might be walking into.
Unconventional Research Tips
After you’ve implemented the research methods listed above, you might find yourself still wanting more information. If that’s the case, we recommend diving a bit deeper and searching in some unconventional ways.
Review the company’s subreddit. Some organizations have their own subreddit pages where employees and customers discuss the company’s offerings and culture. So, search for your prospective employer on Reddit and see if any red flags come up.
Read employee-written blog posts. Whenever you stumble upon them, make sure you read blog posts written by current or former employees. This type of content often offers unfiltered commentary on the company.
Search the organization’s patent filings. Want to gauge what products your prospective employer will come up with next? Research the company’s patent filings to get a sense of what the company has developed and what it might have in store for the future.
Conclusion
In summary, it’s extremely important to research a company before an interview. By doing so, candidates can be well-prepared, gain an understanding of the company culture, tailor their answers to difficult interview questions, and get insight into the company’s reputation. So, this crucial step in interview prep should never be skipped! After all, taking the time to research a company only increases a candidate’s chances of success during the hiring process!