How to Research a Company for a Job Interview
When heading into a job interview, being prepared ahead of time is important in order to succeed and create a good first impression during the interview. Having prior knowledge and insights into a company you are interviewing for is a good way to ensure you come across well during the interview and set yourself apart from other interviewees.
See our top tips to learn how to research a company for a job interview here.
10 Tips to Research a Company
Researching a company thoroughly before a job interview is crucial to demonstrate your interest in the role and company, your understanding of their values, and give yourself a good chance of landing the job. Not preparing for an interview is a common interview mistake candidates make while job hunting.
See our recommended approach and tips to help you conduct effective company research below:
1. Review the Company Website
When researching a company before a job interview, start with the company's official website. Look for sections such as "About Us," "Mission Statement," "Values," and "Company Culture", and this will provide you with a good understanding of what the company stands for and its core principles which may be addressed during your job interview.
Company websites are the first place to start to prepare yourself before an interview. All of the information about the team, their business, and the company values should be laid out.
2. Read News and Press Releases
Checking recent news articles and press releases related to the company is another good way to prepare before an interview.
In particular, look for information on the company’s recent achievements, expansions, new product launches, or any significant changes within the company which you could address or discuss during your interview.
3. Explore the Company's Social Media
It can be beneficial to study the company's presence on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, particularly if the job you are applying for is a marketing role.
Pay attention to the content they share, their interactions with followers, and any recent updates or announcements they have made as this could be relevant to your interview. Exploring a company’s social media can provide insights into the company's current projects, initiatives, and engagement with its audience.
4. Check Out Employee Reviews and Insights
Websites like Glassdoor and Indeed offer employee reviews and insights about their experience at a particular company. Read both positive and negative reviews to understand the company's strengths, weaknesses, and overall employee satisfaction before committing to the job.
Although it is key to keep in mind that individual experiences may vary, it can still be worthwhile to review others’ impressions of the company.
5. Conduct Industry Analysis
It is recommended to research the company industry if relevant to excel and set yourself apart from other candidates during a job interview.
Understanding the market trends, challenges, and competitors will provide you with a broader perspective of the sector and help you contextualise the company's position within the industry.
This can help you prepare and anticipate potential discussion points during the interview which will make the process easier.
6. Examine Annual Reports and Financial Statements
If the company is publicly traded, review its annual reports, quarterly earnings statements, and investor presentations to prepare for the job interview beforehand.
We recommend that you pay attention to financial performance, growth trajectory, strategic priorities, and any risks or opportunities that may highlighted by the company's leadership to help you during the interview.
7. Try Networking
It may be beneficial to reach out to current or former employees of the company through professional networking platforms like LinkedIn if this technique would be beneficial to your job.
You could politely introduce yourself and express your interest in learning more about their experiences at the company, which can provide valuable insights before you begin the interview process.
8. Revise Company Culture and Values Alignment
Before applying for a job, we recommend evaluating how well your own values and career goals align with those of the company, as finding a role which matches your goals will improve your job satisfaction.
If the job role is what you have been searching for, consider how you can demonstrate this alignment during the interview by referencing specific company initiatives, values, or achievements that resonate with you and your interests.
9. Prepare Interesting Questions
Based on your research of the company before the job interview, plan a couple of thoughtful questions to ask during or at the end of the interview.
Asking interesting and relevant questions will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and highlight the research and effort you have conducted to understand the company and its culture.
10. Research Available Pay and Benefits
Having knowledge of the typical pay and benefits for the job role you are applying for will help you to be prepared if asked about salary expectations during the interview. You don’t want to sell yourself short, so conduct market research before attending the interview.
Get Help Landing a Job
By following these steps, you will have all of the knowledge and research needed to impress interviewers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company. Interviewers appreciate candidates who are prepared, so set yourself apart from the competition by properly researching the company beforehand.
If you would like help finding or securing a job interview, get in touch with our team of recruiters today. We can help you along the job process and find the perfect role for your requirements. Phone us today on 0151 427 4200 or fill out our contact form.
