Essential Company Research Strategies for Job Interviews

What to research before your next job interview

Company details

Never underestimate the power of basic research as this is a simple way to uncover the fundamental aspects of a business. Knowing the basics of a business will not only allow you to determine whether the company is aligned to your career ambitions but will also provide you with the insights required to respond to quick-fire interview questions that may come up when you are interviewing.

Not sure where to start? There are six elements of a company that are worth researching ahead of your interview:

These six points will give you a strong picture of the type of business you are interviewing with, and if it is the type of company you would like to work for. Any job is more than the job description you have read, and it is important to understand more about the overall company so you can understand the opportunities that may be available for career progression, as well as if there are any aspects of the business that play into your strengths or passions. These are also the areas that an employer is likely to question you on, so knowing the basics of the company and its history will allow you to answer questions with ease.

By researching the company’s history and USP, you will be able to see if the company has a story you like and an overall ethos you would be proud to support. Similarly, understanding the size of the company and whether or not it is international may impact your decision to interview with them. Some people enjoy working for larger organisations, where there may be an opportunity to work with colleagues in different countries. However, global companies can have more strict procedures and red tape, so certain people enjoy working for more local companies where they are closer to decision makers and feel they have more of a voice.

All of these elements are worth considering before you interview as they can greatly impact how motivated you will be in a role and if the company is somewhere that you can envision yourself being in the long term. Also, thinking of these elements and incorporating them into the interview will help you stand apart from other applicants, as it will show the interviewer that you’ve thought carefully about the role, the business and how it aligns with your priorities.

Company mission statement, values and culture

To get to the heart of a company’s values and culture, it can be helpful to start with their website’s ‘About Us’ section, but it is important to not stop there! An organisation’s social media will provide further clues to their culture and day-to-day activities, so be sure to find their LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or even TikTok. This is crucial to view content that is less formal and more frequently updated by the organisation.

By seeing what a company is up to, you will be able to have informed discussions with the hiring manager, asking unique questions that they may have not been asked previously. If you find an initiative on the company’s Instagram that resonates with your personal values, then you can ask more about this, as well as how employees can get involved when working with the company. Similarly, if there are social media posts about a team gathering (for example), you could ask further questions around this to understand how regularly the team gets together in this way, and what their most successful event has been to date. These questions will help you understand the team and company atmosphere at a deeper level, while also showing the hiring manager that you’re truly engaged as well as more of your personality.

Company competitors

If you are interviewing for a job in an industry you already work within, understanding the competitor landscape and what sets companies apart will be crucial. Employers often like to ask questions about why you want to work for them and not their competitors, so it is best to be prepared!

During your interview, you will be able to incorporate this research into conversation to reflect your knowledge and interest by complementing the interviewing company. Elaborating on your comments will support this further. For example, you could explain that the company you are interviewing for differentiate themselves from other companies in the industry with their authentic focus on Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives which resonate with your values. By highlighting differentiators, you will demonstrate your genuine enthusiasm to work with this company which will go a long way towards creating a positive impression on your interviewer.

The industry

Once you have thoroughly analysed a company’s history, it is essential to understand the industry in which your potential employer is positioned. This will provide a clear picture of the organisation’s market and trends which will give you intel to base further questions on during your interview.

Having a considered conversation with your interviewer on market trends will help you create a more well-rounded picture of what your potential role could be based on, and where the company is heading. Reading recent industry news articles will help you gain insight and see what is on trend for the business and its competitors. Researching industry influencers and seeing what they have been discussing on their personal LinkedIn accounts or in news pieces can be another helpful way to understand the key considerations for the industry.

Prepare several questions for your interviewer on industry trends or concerns to show your investment in the role, and to also understand if future projects or focuses would be aligned to your career ambitions. This can be a great way to understand what’s next for the team, and where you could add value as a new team member.

Effective Research Strategies

Now you know what you need to understand about the company you are interviewing with, but how do you find these details? It is important to research one area at a time, to ensure that you are absorbing this information. Do not pressure yourself to know everything at once as it is crucial to learn in an efficient and effective manner! Below are three strategies that will support you during your research:

Utilise the company’s website and analyse its “About Us” section as a first step. This is where you will find most of the key information , as well as the ‘basics’ that we covered above. If the company’s website is providing difficult to navigate or isn’t providing the details you’re looking for, do a Google search including the company’s name and what you’re hoping to learn as this can direct you to the relevant page quickly.

A company’s social media accounts will typically provide very useful information and a more up to date picture of the company’s culture. Seeing if the company has a YouTube account, with videos discussing their mission statement or history is also great if you prefer more visual content and can also offer details not included on other webpages. LinkedIn is an essential channel to not only look at a company’s most recent posts, but also to locate employees and competitors. If you click into an organisation’s profile and scroll to the bottom of the page, there will be a section that reads ‘pages people also viewed. This is where competitors are likely to appear, and where you can click through to view their profile.

Read employee reviews and perspectives on various websites to gain further insight into the company’s working environment and genuine culture. For industry news and trends, see if the company you are interviewing with have given any statements recently to news streams, as these are also great to bring up in your conversations.

As a job seeker who is keen to interview as their most confident and passionate self, you must prepare and conduct company research! Interview preparation is a valuable investment of your time to demonstrate your true desire, eligibility and understanding of a company. It will also allow you to approach the interview truly engaged, knowing that the business is a place you can see yourself working happily and that aligns with your values and future ambitions. All of this will increase your chance of receiving a job offer, helping to build the future you want.

If you would like more interview preparation support and advice on new job opportunities, please speak with our team here to ensure your job search is a success.