Top 5 Interview Prep Tips: Company Research

You’ve rocked your resume and now it’s time to rock your interview. The first step is do your homework. Here are my top five tips on how to set yourself up for success through good old fashioned research!

1. Company Research: Get to know the company! If you haven't done so already, now is the time to learn everything you can about the company with which you're interviewing. What kinds of products and services do they offer? Have they recently started offering a new service or expanded product offerings? Who is their target audience and why? Read through their website to learn more about them.

2. Company Culture: Some companies place a huge emphasis on their corporate culture. Does their website touch on their company culture? Does it fit well with your values and goals? Is being a good fit within that culture a major deciding factor when hiring employees? Do they have a mission and vision or do they share their company values? For example, do they encourage and create opportunities for volunteering?

3. Get Social: Get to know the company better by following their social media accounts. It’s a great way to learn about their products, services, and values. How do they interact with customers? Do they listen? Do they ignore negative comments? Do they promote values that align with your own?

4. In the News: Read any recent news articles to learn about new initiatives, announcements, or issues the company may be having.

5. Q&A: As you conduct your research - write down questions! Asking thoughtful questions and making insightful observations during the interview shows interest and effort. It shows you did your homework!

At the end of this research you’ll set yourself up for a more successful interview, but you’ll also get a better sense if it’s a place you want to work. The most important question you can ask is: Is it a good fit for YOU!

Happy researching!