How to Research a Company Before You Interview
Walk into Your Interview with Insight, Not Just Information
When you walk into an interview, you’re not just being assessed on your resume—you’re being evaluated on how well you understand the company and the role. Doing thorough research before your interview signals genuine interest, preparation, and professionalism. It also helps you feel more confident, ask smarter questions, and stand out from other applicants.
Here’s how to research a company effectively so you walk in informed, aligned, and ready.
1. Start with the Company Website The company’s website is your baseline. Focus on:
Mission and values
Products or services
Leadership team
Recent press releases or blog posts
Pay attention to the “About” page to understand the tone and story they tell about themselves.
2. Review the Job Description Again Compare the language in the job post to how the company talks about itself. Note recurring themes, such as customer-centricity, innovation, collaboration, or agility.
Highlight any key responsibilities or qualifications you can tie directly to your experience during the interview.
3. Check LinkedIn Company Page LinkedIn offers insights beyond what’s on the website. Look for:
Company updates and articles
Employee headcount and growth trends
Employee posts or thought leadership
Hiring activity and recent promotions
You can also look at the backgrounds of current employees to see what kind of experience is valued.
4. Google the Company’s Recent News Search “[Company Name] news” to find recent headlines. Look for:
Mergers or acquisitions
Product launches or rebrands
Awards or recognitions
Leadership changes
If you mention recent news in your interview, it shows that you’re keeping up and thinking critically about how it affects the company’s goals.
5. Research Key People on LinkedIn Look up your interviewer or the department leader. Familiarize yourself with their background, how long they’ve been at the company, or shared connections.
Use this insight to tailor your questions or relate shared experiences.
6. Read Reviews and Culture Insights Glassdoor and Indeed reviews can offer insights into company culture, leadership, and interview experiences. Take them with a grain of salt, but note patterns in feedback.
Also, review the company’s social media presence—how they interact online can reflect their internal culture.
7. Understand the Industry and Competitors Position yourself as someone who understands not just the company, but the larger industry. Know who the competitors are and how this company differentiates itself.
Resources to explore:
Industry reports (Gartner, Statista, IBISWorld)
Trade publications and blogs
Company comparison tools on platforms like Crunchbase or Owler
8. Prepare Your Talking Points Use your research to craft 3–4 key points you can reference naturally in the interview:
“I saw that you recently expanded your services to the healthcare sector—how is that changing your hiring strategy?”
“I admire how your CEO spoke about culture transformation in a recent interview. That really resonated with me.”
9. Align with Their Language and Values If a company uses specific language in their materials (e.g., “customer-obsessed,” “bold thinkers”), echo that in how you speak about your own experience. It creates connection and shows cultural fit.
10. Prepare Thoughtful Questions Research gives you the tools to go beyond generic questions like “What’s the team like?” Instead, ask:
“What are the biggest challenges facing your team this year?”
“How does this role contribute to your broader mission?”
Great questions often leave as strong an impression as great answers.
When you do your homework, you walk into the interview with confidence, insight, and credibility. It shows you’re not just looking for any job—you’re looking for the right one.