Do your Research! Steps you should take when researching Companies

Social media is a good place to start researching companies When you first find out you have been asked to interview, you will no doubt experience a range of emotions – excitement and nerves being the main ones. You may also have the subconscious reminder that it’s important to research the company, so you can capably answer questions in the interview and even incorporate your knowledge into your own questions or developed answers, such as the company’s ethical practise. However, it’s often easier to know what you should do than how to do it. Below are the main ways you should be researching a company you’re interviewing with: Website This is likely to be your first port of call for finding out about a company, as they often have a FAQs page and an About Us page for information on trading, numbers and ethical conduct. LinkedIn or Facebook Social media profiles are also obvious and beneficial places to look, as not only can you see company information, but also who the company collaborates with, and even communication with fans or consumers. A business’s LinkedIn profile in particular often shows recent hires and current employees, meaning you can get an indication of the types of roles available, average ages of employees, and what the company is hiring for. Press Releases These are worth looking for, because typically press releases are only sent out when a big announcement or specific focus is being made public. They therefore allow you to gauge what is currently important in the company and what public strategy it is executing. Mentioning this knowledge in the interview will give you a very strong edge over other applicants. Look up the Interviewer Just as the Website and social networks are important to learn about the company, it is worth doing a search for the interviewer specifically. You can, for example, learn what they like, professionally and personally – this knowledge will allow you to find common and create a rapport with your interviewer. Not only will this make you a stronger candidate, it also gives you the chance to ask questions, or give answers that you know will impress. Financial Reviews Usually easy to find online thanks to them being publicly available, financial reviews often include a breakdown of revenue – where it is being earned, and how it is being spent. Products If it is a company that sells products, you can get a great idea what it’s about by doing some research into those products. If, for instance, the company manufactures DVD players, you will know that its focus is on visual media and that it may be branching into Blu-ray or even investing in new technology for the next revolution in watching films. Competitors If you’re looking at the company’s products it also makes sense to look at those of its competitors. This will allow you to ascertain how innovative the business is and whether it’s leading the pack or playing catch-up. Many private companies are inspired by the work other companies are putting out, and if you can learn not only what the competitors are doing but where they are winning and where they are losing you can leave a very strong impression with the interviewer. Researching a company is not just about knowing what it does, but what it may be doing in the future and knowing who is running it. Find that out, and you may just be the strongest applicant when it comes to your interview.