There might be 100 jobs you are interested in with 100 different companies, that’s a lot of research and a lot of work to prepare for a job interview or application! However, you don’t need to be an expert, you need to know key information to show the employer you’ve done your due diligence and to make the right decisions for you.
Why Do Your Research Before a Job Interview
Set Yourself Apart
One big mistake job seekers make is not doing the right, (or any) company research. Not only does it show your commitment and interest in the job, it shows your ability to be proactive and have analytical skills. By learning more about the company, you can show how you specifically are the right fit for the company and stand out from the other candidates.
Ace Your Interview
Knowing more about the company will allow you to customize your interview answers to show your value and exactly how you will fit in the company The more intelligently you can speak about the company, products or industry and tailor your responses, the better chance you will have to secure the job
Avoid Future Problems
By doing a little due diligence, you can avoid wasting time and energy interviewing for a company that may be associated with a scandal, have financial troubles, or who’s values do not align with yours. You can limit your liability and association with a company that may have a bad reputation or who is known for poor treatment of their employees.
Find The Right Company
There are millions of companies hiring at any given time. By doing your research, you can narrow your search and find a company that best fits your values, interests, and future goals. You have the ability to find a company that offers the compensation, benefits, or perks that you are looking for. Ask yourself, does the company’s values and culture align with yours? By understanding the company, you can clearly show how you will fit in.
How to Do Your Research
Company Website
Some company websites are incredibly large with more content than you can possibly read through before your interview. First, get an overview of what the company does, including its product and service offerings. Is this something you are interested in or have experience with?
Look for the company’s mission statement and vision to get a sense of its values and culture to ensure it aligns with yours. Look for press releases and news by searching the company’s site or in its press section.
Social Media
Using social media can give you a great insight into the company and what people are saying about them and their products. YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great resources to understand how the company positions itself and what people are saying about them.
Linkedin is the best way to get a glimpse into the company and its employees. Search for the company and view its People. Do you know anyone that may be able to help you, or do you have mutual connections to help with your networking? Ask to connect with people in departments you may be interested in working but be sure to add a personal message.
Google, Google, Google
You can find news stories, press releases, and reviews that could offer reassurance that the company is successful and reputable, or it can reveal red flags. Google the company name along with ”Press Release”, “News”, and “Reddit” to find out more about what people are saying. Companies often publish press releases to announce new management, new products, key partnerships, and sometimes financial issues. Press releases can give you a great insight into how the company presents and promotes itself publicly.
Review & Research Sites
There are many sites that offer company reviews and insights like Glass Door, Better Business Bureau, Business Insights, and Zoominfo.com. Looking for a higher level of information? DB Hoovers offers a free trial where you can get detailed market conditions, industry information, company market share, and trends you can use to set yourself apart from other candidates. The SEC’s EDGAR database offers corporate information, prospectus, financial statements, and more.
Network
You’ve heard it before, the best way to get a job is to network. But the best way to know about a company is to ask its employees, partners, and competitors. You can find these by networking strategically. Let your network know if you’re interested or interviewing with a specific company and start asking questions based on what’s important to you. Use linked in to connect with employees, partners, and competitors.
Where to Start Your Research
Are you unsure where to start your company research or are still overwhelmed with the potential options? Try using websites like Beyond Wage where you can search for jobs and at the same time get more information about the company. Know how big a company is, the industry, its revenue, location, and more. But also see the values the company thinks are important so you can immediately get more information in one place to see if it’s potentially a good fit.
After you have decided it might be a good fit you can use the information you already have to quickly go through the steps and tips above. So, don’t be discouraged, and make sure to do your research, to make sure the company is a good fit for you. And for you to potentially stand out from the other candidates.