🔍 Pre-Interview Research: Company Research
The Detective Story You Need to Hear
Imagine you’re a detective about to solve the biggest case of your career. Before you walk into that interview room, you need clues. Lots of them!
The company is like a treasure chest. Your job? Find the keys to open it.
Without research, you’re walking in blindfolded. With research, you walk in like you already belong there.
🏢 Researching the Company
What Does This Mean?
Think of it like this: Before you visit a friend’s house for the first time, you want to know:
- Where do they live?
- What do they like?
- What makes them happy?
A company is the same!
What to Look For
graph TD A[Company Research] --> B[📍 What they do] A --> C[💰 How they make money] A --> D[🎯 Their mission] A --> E[📊 How big they are]
Simple Steps
- Visit their website - Start with the “About Us” page
- Check their products - What do they sell or create?
- Find their story - When did they start? Who started it?
- Know their size - 10 people? 10,000 people?
Real Example
You’re interviewing at a bakery called “Sweet Dreams.”
Good research: “I saw you started in 2010 with just cupcakes. Now you make wedding cakes too!”
Bad approach: “So… what do you guys do here?”
The magic words: “I noticed that…” or “I read that…”
🎭 Understanding Company Culture
What Is Culture?
Culture is how people act when the boss isn’t watching.
It’s like the personality of a company. Some companies are:
- 🎉 Fun and casual (jeans, ping pong tables)
- 👔 Formal and serious (suits, quiet offices)
- 🚀 Fast and wild (deadlines everywhere!)
- 🧘 Calm and steady (work-life balance matters)
How to Find Culture Clues
graph TD A[Culture Detective] --> B[🔍 Check social media] A --> C[👀 Read employee reviews] A --> D[📷 Look at photos] A --> E[💬 Read their blog]
Where to Look
| Place | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|
| How employees talk | |
| Glassdoor | What workers really think |
| Office photos, events | |
| Company blog | What they value |
Example
Clue found: Company posts photos of team hiking trips
What it means: They value teamwork and health
Your move: Mention you enjoy outdoor activities or team sports!
📋 Analyzing Job Descriptions
The Secret Code
Job descriptions are like treasure maps. Every word is a clue!
How to Read Between the Lines
They say: “Fast-paced environment” They mean: Things change quickly. Be flexible!
They say: “Self-starter” They mean: No one will hold your hand
They say: “Team player” They mean: You’ll work with lots of people
The Magic Formula
graph TD A[Job Description] --> B[Required Skills] A --> C[Nice-to-Have Skills] A --> D[Hidden Clues] B --> E[You MUST have these] C --> F[Bonus points if you have] D --> G[What the job is REALLY like]
Matching Game
Make a simple list:
| They Want | I Have | My Example |
|---|---|---|
| Communication skills | ✅ | Led team meetings |
| Excel knowledge | ✅ | Made budget sheets |
| 3 years experience | ⚠️ | 2 years, but quality! |
Pro Tip
Circle the words that repeat. If “communication” appears 4 times, that’s what they really want!
🕵️ Researching the Interviewer
Why This Matters
Would you rather talk to a stranger or someone you know a little about?
Knowing your interviewer helps you:
- Feel less nervous
- Find things in common
- Ask better questions
How to Find Them
- Check the email - Who sent you the interview invite?
- Look on LinkedIn - Type their name
- Company website - Look at the “Team” page
What to Look For
graph TD A[Interviewer Research] --> B[🎓 Their background] A --> C[⏰ How long at company] A --> D[🎯 Their role] A --> E[🤝 Common interests]
Safe Things to Know
- Where they went to school
- Their job title
- Articles they wrote
- Projects they mention
Example Conversation Starter
You found: Interviewer went to same university as you
You say: “I noticed you also studied at State University. Go Tigers!”
Result: Instant connection! 🎉
Warning
Don’t be creepy! Never mention:
- Personal family details
- Private social media posts
- Where they live
📰 Company News and Updates
Why Fresh News Matters
Companies love people who are up to date. It shows you really care!
Where to Find News
| Source | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|
| Google News | Recent stories |
| Company blog | Their announcements |
| Updates and posts | |
| Press releases | Official news |
Types of News to Look For
graph TD A[Company News] --> B[🆕 New products] A --> C[💼 Big partnerships] A --> D[🏆 Awards won] A --> E[📈 Growth stories] A --> F[👔 New leaders]
How to Use News in Interviews
Bad: “I read you’re expanding.”
Good: “I read about your expansion into Europe last month. That must be exciting! What challenges come with that growth?”
The 3-Article Rule
Before any interview, find at least 3 recent articles about the company.
- One about their business
- One about their industry
- One about something they achieved
Example
News found: “Sweet Dreams Bakery wins Best Local Business Award”
Your line: “Congratulations on the recent award! What do you think made Sweet Dreams stand out?”
Their thought: “Wow, this person did their homework!”
🎯 Putting It All Together
Your Research Checklist
Before every interview, complete this:
- [ ] Company basics (what they do, how big)
- [ ] Culture clues (casual or formal?)
- [ ] Job description decoded (what they really want)
- [ ] Interviewer background (name, role, fun facts)
- [ ] 3 recent news articles
The Confidence Formula
Research = Knowledge Knowledge = Confidence Confidence = Success!
Final Thought
Walking into an interview without research is like taking a test without studying.
Walking in WITH research? You’re not just a candidate anymore.
You’re the candidate who cares.
And companies hire people who care.
🚀 Your Action Step
Right now, pick one company you want to work for.
Spend 15 minutes researching them using everything you learned.
You’ll be amazed how much you discover!
Remember: Every minute of research is an investment in your future job. The best candidates don’t just show up. They show up prepared.