Getting a call from a company you would love to work for can give you a bittersweet feeling. You are excited because you got the call, but then you would not want to waste any time to prepare for your upcoming interview.
A great first move is to know how to research a company for an interview. What makes this a beneficial step is because most applicants make the mistake of reading books or articles about how to answer interview questions first or worst is they don’t even prepare at all.
Preparing for a job interview is very crucial and often a deal-breaker for some employers who can easily spot underprepared interviewees. Applicants may have difficulty building confidence before an interview because they are unprepared.
Knowing everything about the job qualifications and requirements but none about the company is a big mistake one can make. Connect with the interviewer and let them know that you are interested in the company and not just the job. You will also gain a lot of confidence when you can follow these various ways on how to research for a company for an interview.
Here are 10 Ways That You Might Not Know and Must Know
1. Study the job qualifications and skills provided by the company.
Review the different skills needed by the job one by one and see how you stand with each qualification. The qualifications required by the company would often reflect on what skills the company values the most. Ask yourself how you can provide the company with the qualities you are looking for.
You can also research on job qualifications for other positions and look for recurring skills needed from the employees. You will then be able to answer interview questions about why you are fit and qualified for the position.
2. Use the Internet.
Using Google may be the easiest and most convenient way, but it would be a great strategy to know what to look for. Go to their website and get the most information out of their page. It is where you can find their startup companies mission and vision, customer or client interaction, and recent news about the company. See what their company objectives are and relate them to your goals why you want to work for them.
You can also study beforehand what the company’s business is all about. This may go from studying their different products or services to gaining knowledge about customer testimonials.
If the company does not have a website, you may still be able to find old and new articles about the business. Stay in the loop with the company’s performance throughout the years. Look for news that speaks about the business. Companies who have excellent standing are also often given prestigious awards. These useful bits of information are what companies take pride in and are, therefore, essential to learn.
3. Research about the company’s competitors, too.
Another excellent strategy that will give you a significant advantage in your interview is to research the company’s strongest competitors. Take notes of the different advantages and disadvantages the company may have against a competitor.
Companies love employees who give valuable input for the development and improvement of the business. This would mean that you can provide a useful contribution to the company not only on the position you are pursuing but also to the overall ideal of the company. They want something of use to the company, and you are there to bring it. Employers are often impressed with this kind of employee and can result in a favorable interview.
4. Start your research at the moment you apply for the job.
Doing your research ahead of time would give you ample time to prepare since employers may take you by surprise and require an immediate interview.
Start doing your research while you are preparing to submit an application. This will also help you identify if a company is legitimate. You may search startup companies on professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn or check if they have a company website.
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Submitting your application in person in the place of business will already give you a feel of the workplace atmosphere. Ask the personnel if you can look around and make sure to keep an observant eye. Companies tend to make notable awards displayed in their offices for the public to see. Look around and be aware of the information you can readily see.
It also wouldn’t hurt if you ask present or former employees you know. They may provide valuable information to help you ace your interview.
5. Research about the company’s top-ranking officials.
Be familiar with the company’s officers or top-ranking members. On the company’s website, you may be able to find their organizational chart. From there, you will see who runs the company and the different officials in various clusters or departments. Make professional research of their official pages, social media, or LinkedIn. You may also find articles or news talking about these officials and their roles in the company.
6. Research about the Interviewer.
To gain more advantage among other interviewees, you should also make your inquiry about the interviewer. Some companies may not tell you who your interviewer will be. Questions may be thrown to you by a single interviewer or a panel of interviewers. It would be best to stay on your toes and be prepared.
Visit the company beforehand or arrive early on the day of your interview to give you a chance to know more about the interviewer. Ask employees around or do quick research on your mobile phone once you know the identity of the interviewer.
7. Talk to customers or clients who have conducted business with the company.
Ask new or old customers or clients about the company. Why did they choose to transact, or why do they keep on transacting with the company? What are the best qualities the company has, or what qualities need improvement? You will then be able to know why clients have a certain trust with the company or if they will no longer do any business with them.
Advance your research by asking how their transactions went about or how the company treated them. An entity’s goodwill and standing within the business community is a very important detail to understand the core values of the company better.
8. Knowing the financial standing of the company.
Public companies are often required to disclose financial information to the public. However, private companies may choose not to reveal their financial status. It will be thorough research if you have studied the company’s economic trends over the years and its current standing in the business community.
What innovations they developed or how they manage financial distress? This is a great way to introduce useful information to the interviewer showing your eagerness to work for the company. Rather than merely giving out optimism and positivity to the interviewer, having facts-based information about the company will give you an advantage.
9. Look for company links and affiliates.
Companies may collaborate with other companies or investors for different aspects of their operations. Look up who they are affiliated to. Do they have a parent or subsidiary company? Do your research on significant investors or past investors of the company too. These collaborations tell so much about the company’s relationship with other companies. You will also be able to assess what type of people or entities that work with and works for them.
10. Know the company’s origin.
Research on how the company came about. How did it start? When did it start? What were the company objectives back then, and how did their goals evolve? Knowing as far back will impress the interviewer as to how much you know about the company. Plus, it will give you an idea of whether the company is keeping up with the fast-paced evolution of businesses.
Once you are able to note and study all these points on how to research a company for an interview, the challenge would then be is how you can apply this information in your interview. Do not be afraid to speak up and have a comfortable conversation with the interviewer.
Integrate the different strategies mentioned earlier as seamless as you can. This will put you at ease and will show your confidence during the interview. Interviewers often deal with so many applicants; that’s why making a good impression is a must.
A great bonus tip for you is to list down questions you may have about the company. Keep the interviewer interested in you and believe in what you are saying. Use your research to stand out, and with all these in mind, go ahead and land that job.
