Deborah
How and why should one do research before going into an interview?
I am looking for a job. #job #research #interviews
3 answers
Erin Ford
Erin’s Answer
I’m glad you asked this question, because it’s so important to research a company before you interview with them. Below I’ve outlined why and how to do this.
WHY?
- Demonstrating that you did your research during the interview shows that you’re interested in the opportunity and the company; you’re not just applying to things because you need a job. When companies interview and hire, they want enthusiastic people who want to be there.
- Researching and learning more about the company can help you uncover things you may not have known. This can be good (they get free breakfast on Fridays!) or bad (the employees say there isn’t a great work-life balance). By researching the company, you find out ahead of time information you need to make a more educated decision.
- The know you know,the more you can stand out as a perfect candidate. If you know the morals or goals that the company is motivated by, you know they want a candidate that can fit those criteria. Mention that you know the company’s main characteristics, and prepare a few points as to how you embody those traits. A lot of companies are interview not just for qualifications, but for a culture fit as well. Being familiar with that can prove you’d be perfect for the job.
HOW?
- The company’s website & social media.
This is all going to be from their perspective, but you learn about what values they have and what kind of people they’re looking for. With their social media, you can follow/like their posts to demonstrate that you’re engaged. If it’s a big company they might have a social media manager who’s totally separate from the hiring manager, but you never know! Like/comment/follow their pages when you’re applying. Maybe before the interview you’ll be able to mention a recent tweet.
- Glassdoor
Here’s where you can get the real inside look. Former and current employees post about what it’s like to work there, which can be good and bad, as mentioned before.
There’s also a section for interviews, so you can have the upperhand and find out what questions they might ask you. Glassdoor also shares salary information so you have a more educated response when they ask you what your salary requirements are.
This will bring up reviews, news articles, really anything related to the company. So dive in!
LinkedIn is great for researching companies because you can see if you have any connections that work at the company already, or if your connections know someone that’s there. If so, you could reach out to them and get some more information about the interview process, or have them put in a good word for you!
I hope this is helpful
Samuel Bueno Francisco
Samuel’s Answer
First, you need to do some research regarding how the company operates, what it does, and for how long they have been doing what they are doing.
Second, you need to find a way to "link" your job application to the company. You cannot just tell them you need a job, because at the end of the day organisations are really there to make money and you need to convince them you have what they need to achieve that. In other words, you need to find which skills you have that meet the needs of your employer and tailor your CV/résumé to those needs.
As for why you need to do it, usually companies will bombard you with questions such as "why do you want to work here?" or "why are you interested in this position?" and it requires knowledge about how the company works and its activities. I was in the same position as you when I was searching for my first job, and doing research saves you a lot of trouble when answering the interviewer's questions.
I hope this helps! Good luck in your endeavours!
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Deborah,
It is imperative to research the company with whom you are interviewing so you can sell why you’d be a great fit. You can be spot-on with all other responses, but if it's apparent you don't know anything about the company, it is an immediate turn-off to a recruiter. Plus, how do you know you’re a qualified candidate for that position/company if you haven’t done your homework about the organization?
It isn't necessary to memorize the entire profile of an organization, but it is smart to spend 30 minutes browsing their website, especially the “About Us” section.
Another effective tactic is to come up with a few questions to ask the interviewer about the company that shows that you have researched the employer, for example: “I noticed that company XYZ focuses a lot on giving back to the community through various programs—can you share a bit more about that?” This not only shows you know about the company, but that you're interested in learning more.
There are few things that you have complete control over during the interview process; researching the company beforehand is one of them! Impress the recruiter with your knowledge, and hopefully increase your chances of landing the job!
In: https://ecs.osu.edu/blog/2012/02/importance-research-interview
Good luck!
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