Facing a job interview can be tough, no matter how many times you have gone through it. However, one of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to research the company that you will be interviewing for. Pre-interview research helps you to have a better understanding of the company, its culture, values, and goals. It also helps you to get a head start on thinking about what kind of questions you might be asked and how you can answer them in a way that aligns with the company’s mission. It’s worth noting that research is one of the top things that interviewers say candidates fail to do well – so a little time spent on detective work can be a great way to help you stand out from the crowd.
- Start with the Company Website
The first place to start when researching a company is its website. In most cases, the company or brand website will give you a good idea of what they do, their history, mission statement, and core values. It’s a chance to understand how the company wants others to see them – the vision of themselves they are presenting to the world.
Additionally, you can find out about the products or services it offers, its target audience, its management team and any other important information. Look for news articles, blog posts, press releases or any updates that the company has released in the past year. This information will give you insights into the company’s recent performance and where it is heading.
- Read up on the Company’s Social Media
Social media is an excellent source for job research. Most companies will have a presence on platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. This is an excellent way to get a glimpse into the company’s personality, recent events, news, and any major announcements. You can also see how the company interacts with its customers and employees, which can help you determine if this is a place you want to work.
- Tap into Your Network
Your network is one of the most valuable resources you can use to research a company. Reach out to your friends, family members or colleagues (past and present) who may have worked at or be currently working at the company you are interested in. Ask them for any insights that they may have about the role and interview process or what their experience working there was like. This knowledge can be priceless, as it gives you an insider’s perspective that you are unlikely to find anywhere else.
- Know Your Interviewer
If you know who your interviewer is, do some research on them too. Look them up on LinkedIn or other sources to get an insight into their role within the company, their background, and their interests. This info can give you an opportunity to tailor your answers to their concerns, making a strong impression and showing that you have done your homework about the company.
- Prepare Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
Part of researching for a job interview is preparing questions to ask your interviewer. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the company and want to learn more about it. This is also an opportunity to get more information about the job, its responsibilities, and what kind of expectations the company has from its employees. It’s really important to come up with intelligent, appropriate questions for the interviewer that show that you have done your research.
- Use Glassdoor
Glassdoor.co.uk is a great site for getting an objective perspective of a company. You can see what the employees think rather than looking solely at what a company is publishing about itself. You’ll be able to find salary figures, employee benefits, reviews on what it’s like to work there, interview questions that previous candidates have faced, and their thoughts and experience of the whole interview process.
In summary, thorough research before a job interview can really help give you a competitive edge over other job applicants. It shows that you are enthusiastic about the job and the company and that you are proactive when it comes to preparing for interviews. The suggestions above will help you confidently respond to the interviewer’s questions and demonstrate that you are knowledgeable, skilled, and a good fit for the company. Good luck!