what to research on a company for an interview

In the next 10 minutes, I’m going to show you exactly how to research a company for your job interview.

You want to go into the interview feeling ready and confident, and you don’t want to embarrass yourself.

That’s what good pre-interview research can do for you.

But what’s the fastest and easiest way to get enough information about a company to avoid interview mistakes and make a great first impression? And what exactly should you be researching?

Keep reading for everything you need to know…

How to Research a Company for a Job Interview

1. research the company website.

Go to the business’ website and find out about what products or services they provide. What do they sell and how do they make money? Why might the company’s clients choose them?

Learn anything you can about the company culture , too. Click buttons like “About Us” or “Meet Our Team” when you’re on the company website.

Then visit their “Careers” section to see what jobs are posted in general. Make sure you’re familiar with the job description and get a feel for the other jobs they’re hiring for.

Finally, see if the company has a mission statement. Knowing the company’s mission will help you understand what they care most about, so that you can show these traits in the job interview.

This is the longest step in the process of researching a company, but it’ll give you a ton of information you can use in your answers, and knowing more about them will help you explain why you wanted to apply for the job .

2. Search Google News for Recent Company Developments

This is a relatively short step, but still important for how to research a company before your interview.

As you conduct company research, go to Google News to read some recent developments and press releases, so you can get a sense of what the company is working on.

Find a piece of good news, a recent change, acquisition or new project, or anything else you can find about the company online.

You’ll notice more info available for large companies, but you may still find valuable news articles and stories for smaller companies, too.

Your goal in this research, for each of your target companies, is to find one action they took recently that you can ask about in the interview.

For example, you’d ask, “I read you recently did ___, can you tell me more about that?”

They’ll be impressed that you know the latest news about them.

Most job seekers are asking boring, generic questions in the interview (like, “What is your company’s mission?”)

So if you can ask a question about a recent news story, it’s going to set you apart.

Here are 27 more unique questions job seekers can ask in the interview.

That brings me to one other piece of job search and career advice: Never ask a question that could be answered on the company’s website.

3. Review the Company’s Social Media Accounts

Next, research the company’s Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social profiles to see recent news you might have missed on Google News in step 2. You might see pictures of employee outings too, etc. You’ll get a great sense of the company culture and the type of people who work there.

This will give you more fuel and ideas for questions you can ask in the interview too.

For example, you could ask, “I saw on Facebook you recently had a company charity event. Can you tell me about what else the company does to facilitate team-building and/or charitable giving in the community? It’s great that those are a part of your company’s values. That’s something I’m looking for in an employer.”

You can also look for the company on YouTube. Do a quick search and see if they have a channel.

More and more companies are sharing video content, so this is a worthwhile step in terms of how to research a company very thoroughly before you talk to them.

You might also see their office in a video which will make you more comfortable when you arrive for an interview. You’ll feel like you’ve been there before.

4. Competitor Research

If you really want to impress the company with how much you researched them before the interview, head over to similarweb.com , type the company name or website into the search bar, and then find the button that says “similar sites”.

Click it and you’ll see companies that are similar to the company you’re interviewing at. Try to find a few key differences and similarities, so you can show you understand the whole marketplace and industry, not just the company you’re interviewing with.

If you do this, most hiring managers will be VERY impressed.

If you’re interviewing in a new industry this becomes even more important. But it’s a great step for anyone who wants to research a company before a job interview.

5. Research Employees on LinkedIn

Search on LinkedIn to find employees of the company. Better yet, find people in the same type of group or role that you’re interviewing for. What type of background do they have? You might spot a trend for the type of person a company likes to hire.

This research will help you understand what the company looks for in the hiring process, so that you’ll be better prepared for questions they throw at you in the interview.

LinkedIn isn’t just a great job search resource , it’s also a powerful research tool. If you don’t already have an account that’s active and up-to-date, you should definitely make one. If you’re not convinced, here are 5 reasons you should use LinkedIn .

6. Research the Hiring Manager

Next, use LinkedIn to research the hiring manager’s background.

How long have they been with the company?

What’s their educational background?

What previous jobs have they worked to get to the point they’re at?

This is a great way to prepare to pass your interview . You might even see something you have in common with the hiring manager, such as a sport you played in college.

And if not, you’ll still know more about them than most candidates going in for the interview. So it’ll be easier to bond and build rapport, or talk about topics that they’re familiar with.

7. Industry Research

Next, if you’re attending a job interview in an unfamiliar industry, you should go beyond researching the company and also dig into the industry overall.

Browse social media accounts of other businesses in the industry, read a few trade publications online, see what types of jobs are posted in this industry, and more.

What types of products and services does the industry provide in general?

What are some of the latest developments happening?

What are some common types of jobs in the industry?

You can look at industry news in Google, check company social media accounts, and more to gather this information.

8. Research the Company’s Job Interview Process

There are a variety of websites that allow job seekers to write about their job search experience and which interview questions they faced. So I recommend searching Google for terms like “<Company Name> interview questions” and “<Company Name> interview process.”

You won’t find information about this for every employer, but you should find some hints about the interview process for most large employers, which can be a big aid in your job search.

Then, you’ll know how to better prepare for your job interview to show you’re a fit for the company’s culture and role.

9. Read Employee Reviews

Next, consider visiting a site like Glassdoor.com to read reviews from current and past employees.

This may give you more hints about how the company operates, which will help you prepare great interview answers.

You’ll also gain valuable information to help you decide if you do or don’t want to work for this company!

You may spot a red flag or two that you’d like to ask about in the interview.

You wouldn’t have found this on a casual visit to the company’s website. So reading reviews from real employees will give you a better understanding of what your life will be like if you accept their job.

Those are the best steps you can take for pre-interview company research. I recommend doing everything above if you have time.

10. Additional Research for Public Companies

If a company is publicly traded, it must release an annual report, quarterly financial statements, and more.

You can see their stock price, read recent stock news, and more.

For public companies, you’ll often see an “investor relations” button when you visit the company website (usually in the site footer).

You can also search for the company name on a website like Google Finance to read about their financial health and explore recent financial data and statements.

This doesn’t need to be an in-depth, time-consuming step when researching a company, but it’s worth noting whether they’re publicly traded or not, and how the company’s stock is doing.

Final Step: Review Your Company Research

Now you know what to research about a company before the interview.

As a final step, make sure you can answer these questions about a company:

• Who is the CEO ?
• When/why was the company founded?
• Does the company have one or multiple locations? And where are they headquartered?
• How does the company make money? What do they sell and who is their typical customer?
• Why do their customers choose them?
• How are they different from their competitors?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• Does the company have a mission statement or a reason why they were founded?
• What do you know about the hiring manager’s background? How long have they been with the company?

Use that as a checklist to make sure you’ve researched the company enough before your interview.

Now that you know how to research a company before a job interview, you’re going to be able to make a better impression on recruiters and hiring managers, and turn more interviews into job offers !

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

2 thoughts on “How to Research a Company for an Interview: 10 Steps”

This was VERY resourceful. Thanks so much for the helpful tips.

Great list. Thank you!

Comments are closed.

12 Effective Ways to Research a Company Before an Interview

• Early Career

In preparation for your next job interview, we’ve gathered insights from top professionals, including HR executives and CEOs, to offer you the most effective strategies for researching a company. From analyzing employee social profiles to utilizing LinkedIn for company insights, explore the twelve comprehensive strategies these experts recommend for a deep dive into your potential employer’s world.

Analyze Employee Social Profiles

Observe active social media channels, check crunchbase for financial history, conduct informational interviews, research interviewers and company staff, study the company’s digital footprint, review website, reports, and employee insights, utilize glassdoor for candid feedback, leverage official channels and employee reviews, read between the lines of company communications, compare company with industry competitors, utilize linkedin for company insights.

Drawing from my dual background as an HR professional with five years of experience and an HR writer with four years under my belt, I’ve developed a keen eye for assessing company cultures and work environments beyond the company’s LinkedIn page and traditional review sites like Glassdoor. 

A key strategy is to closely observe how employees discuss their work environment and culture on their personal LinkedIn profiles. This approach offers authentic insights into the company culture, beyond what is officially presented.

For instance, recurring mentions of overtime, burnout, or high stress levels among employees are clear red flags, indicating a potential culture of overwork. Conversely, posts celebrating team achievements, work-life balance, or professional development suggest a positive, supportive environment. Such nuances provide valuable, candid insights into the company’s real culture, guiding you toward making a well-informed decision about your potential workplace.

Maheen Kanwal , HR Executive, B2B Tech SaaS Copywriter, Founder, Call to Authority

Assess the socials that they’re most active on so that you can really get a sense of what makes them ‘tick’, and what they’re likely to respond positively to. For example, if they have an office dog, then you can share your mutual love of dogs, or if they’re working on a certain project that they’ve shared, then you can comment on that project specifically.

Tracey Beveridge , HR Director, Personnel Checks

If you plan on working for a start-up, a scale-up, or a rapidly growing organization, I strongly recommend looking at Crunchbase to see their financial history. A great many privately owned companies survive almost entirely on venture capital, and the availability of this capital is paramount to their continued existence. 

Crunchbase outlines a company’s investment history, providing powerful insight into where the money is coming from. Consequently, when applying for jobs, it’s always worth keeping an eye on how much funding they have received, and for two reasons. Free-flowing funding means that salaries are likely to be paid as promised, as they are unlikely to run into financial problems in the short term. But also, if venture capital firms are interested in investing, this suggests the organization has something special going on, which is a positive sign.

Oliver Savill , CEO and Founder, AssessmentDay

One strategy I highly recommend for thoroughly researching a company before an interview is to leverage informational interviews with current or former employees. While online resources provide valuable information, speaking directly with individuals who have firsthand experience with the company can offer unique insights and perspectives.

Start by reaching out to your professional network or utilizing platforms like LinkedIn to identify individuals who currently work at or have previously worked for the company. Politely request a brief informational interview where you can ask questions about their experiences, company culture, values, and any other relevant aspects.

During the informational interview, focus on open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses. Inquire about the company’s mission, recent projects or initiatives, workplace environment, team dynamics, and growth opportunities. Additionally, ask about challenges they’ve faced and how the company addresses them, as well as any advice they have for potential candidates.

Listening attentively to their responses can provide valuable insights beyond what you might find in official company materials. Pay attention to recurring themes or sentiments, which can help you better understand the company’s culture and values.

After the informational interview, take notes and reflect on the information gathered. Compare it with other research sources, such as the company’s website, news articles, and employee reviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Daniel Jorge , Senior Consultant, EC1 Partners

At the end of the day, companies are made up of people. It’s super important before an interview to do research about the people you’ll be speaking with. Just five minutes of Googling can do a lot… Look at their LinkedIn page (maybe you have connections or education in common) and find something interesting to discuss.

I’ve interviewed hundreds of people, and many don’t even look at our company website before speaking with us. Those that do just a little bit of research about the company and me really stand out and show they go the extra mile!

Corey Schwitz , CEO & Founder, On-Demand Salesforce, Hubspot and Revenue Ops Customization, Skydog Ops

A unique strategy for researching a company thoroughly before an interview is to study its digital footprint beyond the traditional scope of its official website and social media profiles. This involves a deep dive into various online platforms and resources where the company’s indirect presence can provide insightful context about its culture, reputation, and operational nuances. Here’s how to approach this:

Participate in or review discussions on industry-specific forums and online communities related to the company’s field. These platforms can offer unfiltered insights into the company’s reputation within the industry, emerging challenges it might be facing, and the innovations it’s known for.

Websites like Trustpilot, Yelp, or even product review sections on e-commerce platforms can provide a wealth of information about the company’s products or services, customer satisfaction levels, and how the company handles complaints or feedback. This research can explain the company’s customer service ethos and product quality.

Companies in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, etc.) should check reports and filings with regulatory bodies. These documents can shed light on the company’s compliance history, financial health, and any regulatory challenges it may have faced. This information can be particularly insightful for understanding the company’s operational rigor and market standing.

Vaibhav Kakkar , CEO, Digital Web Solutions

Before your interview, check the company’s website to learn about what it values and who leads it. Look at reports and financial statements for information on its finances and performance. Check news and social media for recent projects and how the company is perceived publicly. Read what employees say on sites like Glassdoor to understand how people feel about working there. 

Also, check LinkedIn for key people and connect with current or past employees if possible. This will give you a good understanding of the company, and during the interview, you can show that you know about its goals and values.

Eva Toledo , Senior Researcher, Kepler Search Pte Ltd

I would highly recommend using Glassdoor or any other tool that will provide candid feedback about an organization. While organizations can pay to try to have bad reviews removed, the on-the-ground feedback and how an organization responds can show a lot.

In my consulting practice, I was burned by this previously. A client that I was going to work for had really bad reviews about the culture, the owner, and red flags that would have been a tip-off of things to come. However, I ignored the data in front of me. They turned out to be very much like the reviews, and I should have heeded the warnings. I ended up leaving the client after about six months.

Ben Madden , Owner, HR Action LLC

I highly recommend utilizing the company’s official channels, particularly its website and published materials. Start by reviewing the About Us, Mission Statement, and Values sections to grasp the organization’s foundational principles and culture. Examine annual reports and financial statements for insights into the company’s financial health and performance. 

Additionally, explore recent news articles, press releases, and social media profiles to understand current developments and employee interactions. Leveraging employee review platforms like Glassdoor can provide valuable perspectives on the work environment. Connecting with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn can offer firsthand insights. 

This comprehensive approach ensures that candidates not only understand the business’s objectives and financial standing but also its culture and employee experiences, facilitating a more informed and tailored interview preparation.

Steven Mostyn , Chief Human Resources Officer, Management.org

The most important thing is to read between the lines on a company’s website and public communications to figure out what they really care about. Study their About page, press releases, leadership bios, and so on. Look for signs that they value innovation, people, or social responsibility in a way that appeals to you. Understanding what motivates a company will help the conversation flow better in interviews, beyond just your qualifications.

Additionally, check out news articles and reviews to get balanced inside perspectives from employees. Approach learning about a company as an interesting research project where no detail is too small. Doing this groundwork will allow you to assess if it’s a good fit, align values, and show how you can contribute.

I’ll admit I didn’t always do enough research early on and stumbled in interviews. But being your real self, focused on helping people more than profits, makes connections that the right organization will recognize.

Lou Reverchuk , Co-founder and CEO, EchoGlobal

One very effective tactic when researching the company you are about to interview with is not only studying the company’s history, products, services, and culture but also the company’s competitors to get a broader view of the industry and how the company stands against those competitors.

You can find company intelligence in industry reports, news articles, or in financial statements. This can help you to understand the competitive dynamics, current market trends, or present challenges. A good way to impress the interviewer can be to refer to their competitors and how they might be able to take account of this in the job you are applying for. It would show that you can think strategically and that you tend to be proactive.

An interviewer may ask you to describe some ways you might contribute to the company if you got hired. It’s a way of asking, “What can you do for us?” It can also be a way to determine your motivation and commitment to the company. Answering this question can help build your credibility and show the interviewer that you are excited to help the company grow. Some possible ways you might be able to contribute to the company that you’re interviewing for include bringing in new trends, being knowledgeable about the company, and being innovative.

Blake Smith , Marketing Manager, ClockOn

LinkedIn provides a wealth of information about companies, including their mission, values, products or services, and recent news or updates. Additionally, you can explore the company’s culture page on LinkedIn, which often includes employee testimonials and insights into the work environment. 

Another valuable aspect of LinkedIn is the opportunity to leverage your professional network. If you know anyone, past or present, who has worked at the company, you can reach out to them for insights or information. 

Connecting with current or former employees can provide you with firsthand perspectives on the company’s culture, work environment, and overall experience. They may be able to share valuable insights that go beyond what you can find through public sources. This knowledge will help you prepare for your interview and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.

Heidi Hauver , Chief People Officer

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How To Research a Company for a Job Interview

7 Ways to Find Out What You Need to Know Before the Big Day

Visit the Company Website

Browse social media, use linkedin, get an interview edge, use google and google news, tap your connections, get to know the industry and competitors, how to use this research during interviews.

You may have heard the advice that it’s important to have some questions for the hiring manager when you’re interviewing for a job. It’s true that interviewers will expect you to be curious and interested in their organization, and they'll expect to show that by asking questions, but it’s also true that you should come to the interview with a good baseline of knowledge about the company.

Hopefully, you’ll learn a lot about the company during the interview—like whether the organization and the company culture are a good fit for you, for example. But during the interview is not the time to learn basic information about the company. You should know all that before you set foot in corporate HQ. 

The good news is that it’s easier than ever before to learn about an employer before the job interview. Take some time, in advance, to learn as much as you can online. Then, tap into your real-world network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over the other candidates. Do your research, and you’ll make a much better impression on the hiring manager. Here are tips for researching companies before the interview.

Start by visiting the company website. There, you can review the organization's mission statement and history, products and services, and management, as well as information about the company culture. The information is usually available in the "About Us" section of the site. If there's a Press section of the website, read through the featured links there.

Pay attention to themes that come up repeatedly on the site. As much as any stated corporate values, the words companies choose to describe themselves are telling. Do you want to work at a place where people are “driven to excellence,” or does that make you feel tired? Do you like the idea of working with people who consider their coworkers family, or do you need more distance between your job and your personal life? Of course, organizations use hyperbole when talking about themselves... but it’s often pretty telling hyperbole.

Next, check the company's social media accounts. Visit their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. This will give you a good sense of how the company wants its consumers to see it. Like or follow the company to get updates. You'll find some information you may not have found otherwise.

You may also uncover some red flags. If the organization doesn’t have a professionally managed social media presence, for example, or if it’s updated sporadically and inconsistently, they might not be totally in control of their public image.

LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at a glance, more information on a company you're interested in. You'll be able to see your connections at the company, new hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics. If you have connections at the company, consider reaching out to them. Not only can they put in a good word for you, but they may also share their perspective on the company and give you tips that will help you ace the interview.

Take a look at your interviewer's LinkedIn profile to get insight into their job and their background, as well. Look for any common links between you. Do you know the same people? Did you go to the same school? Are you part of the same groups, online or off? Those common links could help you establish rapport during the interview process. 

Consider looking up the company on Glassdoor . Their Interview Questions and Reviews section has a goldmine of information for job seekers.

You can find out what candidates for the positions you are interviewing for were asked and get advice on how tough the interview was. Use reviews to help get a sense of company culture. That said, take them with a grain of salt—employees are often most likely to leave reviews when they are unhappy. As you read reviews, look for repeated themes. The more mentions a given subject gets (whether it's praise for flexible hours or frustration with senior management) the more likely it is to be accurate.

Search both Google and Google News for the company name. This can be invaluable. You may find out that the company is expanding into Asia, for instance, or recently received a round of start-up funding. Or, you may find out that a recent product underperformed or had to be recalled. This knowledge can help shape your responses to interview questions.

Do you know someone who works at the company? Ask them if they can help.

If you're a college grad, ask your career office if they can give you a list of alumni who work there. Then email them, send a LinkedIn message, or call and ask for assistance.

As well as researching the company, it makes sense to review the overall industry. If you're interviewing for a job at a mortgage company, for instance, it's helpful to be informed about current homeownership trends. Get to know the company's biggest competitors and identify their successes and flaws, too. Insight into the company's industry and rivals are bound to impress interviewers.

During a job interview, interviewers ask questions to get to know candidates . But their main goal is to determine if a candidate will be a good fit for the position and company.

Your company research will make your responses to questions compelling and show that you'll be helpful to their goals and bottom line.

Plus, your knowledge will help you give a specific answer if you're asked why you'd like to work for the company. You can share details about things you find admirable about the company, its mission, or its culture.

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How to Research a Company for a Job Interview

As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, your opportunities for employment may be growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says more companies are hiring, including those focused on health care and social assistance. In a survey conducted by staffing company Robert Half, job openings still outnumber candidates nearly 2 to 1.

If you’re job hunting, this is good news. When preparing for an interview, make sure to research the company's mission, reputation, finances, and more. This can help you appear as a knowledgeable, informed candidate to a recruiter or hiring manager when answering interview questions.

Here are 10 ways to conduct company research for an interview.

10 Things You Should Check Out Before Your Interview

1. visit the company website.

Learn about the company from the “About Us” section or any “Meet Our Team” section. These pages will give you an overview of the company, but be aware that these pages may be more geared toward attracting customers or clients. You might be able to get more insight about the job itself if the company has a “Careers” page.

Additionally, more job seekers are placing emphasis on a company’s values. In a recent article , Caitlin Duffy, research director at research and consulting firm Gartner, said, “You could call it the ‘Great Reflection.’ … It’s critical to deliver value and purpose.” Check out the company’s values page, mission statement, and any company culture page to gain more insight.

2. Check on the Company’s Financial Health

You don’t want to get involved with a financially troubled company. Investopedia says the single best indicator of a company’s financial health and long-term viability is its bottom line profit margin.

For many large companies, you should be able to find this and more financial information from a company’s quarterly earnings report, annual report, or conference calls with investors, the latter of which you might find on YouTube. If you’re interviewing with a startup, check out its profile on Crunchbase .

3. Learn About the Skills the Company Requires

You should be able to find out a lot in a job posting, including a general description, duties, education, experience requirements, and possibly starting salary range.

Also, take a good look at what they’re looking for in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities. With this information, you should be able to decide what the company is seeking in a qualified candidate. This can help you position yourself in your interview.

>>Learn More: The Top 8 Soft Skills That Employers Want

4. Browse Social Media

Many companies are using social media to present themselves. According to Statista , 92.1% of larger U.S. companies used social media for marketing in 2022, up from 86.2% in 2013. The way social media is used can give you insight into companies.

Search out the company’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) pages to gain a sense of how the company wants to be perceived. You can also spot some red flags this way, such as a less-than-professional presence.

Also, it never hurts to check out the company on YouTube.

5. Explore LinkedIn

According to LinkedIn , more than 65 million companies use the site to connect with consumers, other companies, and prospective employees.

Companies share a lot of information on this platform, so make yourself familiar with it. You can see a company’s hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and statistics. You can also see who they interact with.

You should search LinkedIn for people who are employed at the company. Learn about the company by looking at their employees’ experiences.

6. Search Google and Google News

Google is a valuable tool, beginning with its wide-ranging Search feature . Look for a company’s name and see what turns up. You may find out the company’s tactics, recent news releases, or plans.

Use the News tab to find out if the company has been in the news lately. You might find out whether the company has been having difficulties or had products recalled.

7. Use Glassdoor and Other Employee Sites

Glassdoor says 83% of its users are actively looking for jobs or are open to new opportunities. Explore the company’s Glassdoor listing, including their Interview Questions and Reviews section for valuable information for job seekers.

You can also see whether employees have left comments about the company — but recognize that sometimes the more disgruntled an employee is, the more likely they are to post.

8. Research the Field and Competitors

It is a good idea to research the competitors of the company you’re interviewing with. That can help clarify for you the company’s mission and needs.

Head to similarweb.com , type the company’s name, and then click “similar sites.” You can also look up competitors on LinkedIn by seeing what recommendations you get if you click on the interviewing company’s page.

9. Mine Your Current Connections

If you know someone who works at the company now, ask them for their insight. Check with other friends to see if they have friends who work there. This is where your own personal network can help out.

Networking events could also connect you with the right people to find out more information. It’s a good idea to keep building your network.

10. Find Out About the Hiring Manager

Lastly, before the interview, research the hiring manager or your interviewer on LinkedIn. Find out what you can about them, and see if there are any commonalities you share. This can give you an advantage during the interview because you’ll have a better chance of connecting with them and sparking a meaningful conversation.

>>Learn More: How to Tackle Tough Interview Questions

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How to Research a Company for an Interview in 6 Easy Steps

In This Guide:

Step 1: ask your network.

Step 2: Check out the company's blog on their website

Step 3: Comb through the company's social media accounts

Step 4: Job description

Step 5: Read reviews

Step 6: Examine media sources and press releases

Step 7: Examine your own values and career trajectory

You've been sending your resume and cover letter out to several companies, and you finally got an interview for a position that you love.

Before your interview, it's a good idea to know a little about the company, specifically the company's mission, culture, and values.

Understanding how the company operates allows you to discern if you feel you'd be a good fit for it. By researching companies, you can better prepare for the interview questions , tailoring your answers to the specific company and hiring manager.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 7 easy steps to research a company for an interview
• Suggestions on how to use your research during the interview

Before you head out and do some research on the company that you're interviewing for, speak with a career counselor from Enhancv . They can help you to refine your research and create valuable talking points to ace your interview.

7 steps to research a company for an interview

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If you are anything like me, you want to come prepared for your interview, knowing exactly what you need to know to make the best first impression. Alternatively, if you show up to a job interview without properly researching the company that you're applying for, you may feel ill prepared, stumbling over the main ideas that you'd like to convey.

If you want to be prepared for your next interview, follow these six steps to research the hiring company:

When you settle down in a career for a long period of time, you build up a network of contacts. Whether through vendors, clients, colleagues, or managers of other companies, reaching out to those people that you know may be your first step in understanding the reputation of the company that you're interviewing for.

Instead of just looking at the ways that the company represents itself online through marketing materials, social media posts, or philanthropic pursuits, asking someone you know who has an understanding of the company can give you key insights.

This type of research may be more intimate, allowing you to gain more of an understanding of how it feels to be someone who works at the company or interacts with management there. This type of research allows you to identify any red flags, things that may make you choose not to continue during the interview process with the hiring company.

It's important to keep in mind that you should take some of this word-of-mouth research with a grain of salt. For example, if you are speaking to former employees of the company, they may have more overtly negative things to say about it since they've stopped working there.

If you're just starting out in the industry, and you're fresh off an internship , you may be able to contact your university's career office, and ask if there are some alumni who attended the same school working at the company.

Who knows? Maybe you can get a job referral or reference from your network.

Advice for the interview

If possible, use your network as a starting place for research, but continue to do a little more research on your own to gain more of an understanding of how an organization operates. If someone in your network has something nice to say about the company, ask that person if it is okay if you shared it in the interview. You never know if the hiring manager may know the person who you're talking about.

Step 2: Check out the company's blog on their website

If you're interested in learning more about how the company operates, you should check out their website. Here you can gain a better understanding of the products and services they offer their customers, whilst also learning about the things that matter to them the most.

The best place to look for information on a company's website is their blog, as you can usually find great content that breaks down everything the company is doing. A company's blog is where an organization can share about what differentiates them from other organizations.

Most companies now are trying to become thought leaders in their industry, and on their website you can see a little more about the company's vision and values.

Even a company's annual report, which may be found on their website, can help to show you the financial health of the company, and even how they handle investor relations.

Another helpful place to look is on the "about us" page, which lists all the important people at the company. Here you can find employee bios. By looking at this page, you may be even able to find the name and position of the hiring manager that will be interviewing you for the position. This allows you to have all the information you need to choose your employer .

Whatever you glean from the company website can be used in your interview to show that you have done your due diligence. By quoting blog posts or white papers found on the website, you will impress interviewers and build rapport. You can actually strike up a meaningful conversation by pointing to the company's mission statement which you found on their website.

Step 3: Comb through the company's social media accounts.

Another great place to find information on the company online is to search through their social media accounts. There are two types of social media accounts that you can look for: the official company's social media account, and individual executive's social media accounts. The company social media account is the place where they put all the content that they would like to share with their target audience. You can actually see what they value the most at their company by what they post on their social media posts. Also, you can gain a lot of company information from the key players within an organization. Some large companies have executives with their own social media profiles, and you may be able to gain the inside scoop on the company values straight from their leaders.

By searching through social media posts, you may be able to read between the lines to find some red flags about the company. For example, if the CEO of the company explains how they are "driven to succeed and change the world", depending on your own personality, you may see this as something which could lead to a highly motivating company culture, or you could find it exhausting.

Every bit of research can give you insights into the company's history, and reasons for you to work there.

Step 4: job description

This may be one of the places that you may have forgotten about, but jobseekers can gain a lot of information from the job description. Not only do you gain information about the hiring process, most job applications provide you with a short introduction to the company, specifically their culture, vision, and values.

In the job description, you are also given information about the tasks and duties of the role. Scour the job description to learn about what roles you'll fill, and what duties and responsibilities you'll be expected to complete.

Some job descriptions also offer information on employee benefits, like medical, pension plans, and even stock options.

All the research you gain from the job description can actually be really helpful during an interview, as it can provide you with questions for your interviewer. Having questions ready for your interviewer can differentiate yourself from other applicants. Also, most job descriptions tend to be fairly generic, so come ready with a few questions up your sleeve to gain a better idea of the position.

Related: Sure-Fire Zoom Interview Tips to Ace Your Online Interview

Reading employee reviews can be viewed as a secret weapon when researching for an interview. Even a quick search of the business on an employee review website, can give you quite a bit of information about what it's like to practically work there.

As you scour the reviews, look for common themes which seem to show up from all employees. If several former employees share that the bosses have a tendency to overwork their employees, then this may be a sign that the company doesn't offer a great work/life balance.

Although you may not want to reference reviews of a business from former employees, keep some reviews in the back of your mind when you are answering questions for the interview. Check to see how they treat their current employees, as well as the expectations and goals that will be placed on you.

Step 6: examine media sources and press releases

Another type of research is to do a Google News search to see how media sources are portraying the company. Just do a quick search of the company name, and you may be able to gain information like how the company is expanding operations into Europe and Asia.

You may also be able to gain information on philanthropic pursuits that the company has done within their community.

The last thing that you're going to want to do is to understand your own values and career trajectory. This may be the hardest type of research that you'll have to do, as you'll have to look deep inside yourself to see exactly what you want to get out of your next job.

Some informational interview questions might actually tap into your own values and career trajectory. For example, you may be asked in an interview, "What do you like the most about your work?" Coming prepared with an understanding of what motivates you can help you answer this question.

advice for the interview

An interview is a feeling out process, whereby an interviewer and interviewee can decide whether they feel like they can work together. So come ready to talk about yourself and be honest in your interview answers.

Major takeaways:

• Check out the company's online presence through their social media accounts, website, and blog.
• Use your network of friends, family members, former employees, and those you went to university with to help you to gain an understanding of the company.
• Check out former employees' reviews of the company on review websites.
• Examine yourself, before interviewing for a position, to see exactly what you want to get out of the role.

While we're on the subject of examining your own vision for your career trajectory, you should speak to a career counselor from Enhancv . Within the first meeting, you can begin to share a bit of the information about you, and gain insights into where you would like your career to go.

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How to Research a Company for an Interview: 10 Easy Steps

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The hiring process is a two-way street. During the interview stage, the hiring manager or recruiter evaluates you—but you also evaluate the company. 

Knowing how to research a company for an interview will help you find the information required to answer their questions effectively and determine if you want to work for them. This article provides the blueprint for your research, including the information you should look for, where you can find it, and relevant questions to consider.

Before you begin, review the job description and identify any questions you have about the company based on the information provided.

For example, if the job listing mentions reaching a funding round, look for company announcements on their blog or social media for more details. If they claim to offer healthy work-life balance and flexible hours, see what current and former employees say on the subject in their Glassdoor reviews or LinkedIn posts.

Identify the company’s mission and values

Where to look:   Careers page on the company website

Like   56% of workers , you probably wouldn’t work for a company if you disagree with its values. A company’s values and mission can align with your personal or professional values (or both). 

For example, genuine client care is an excellent professional value to look for in a company. But if you’re also an environmental advocate, you may want to work for a company that values sustainability. Finding a company that prioritizes environmental sustainability will enhance your employee experience and make you feel more engaged in your work.

You can typically find a company’s mission statement and values on the company website—try the About Us page or the Careers page. The About Us page is generally more commercially focused and directed at clients and company history, whereas the Careers page showcases the   company culture, team growth, and open positions.

Questions to consider:

• What values do I want my future employer to hold and why?
• What are the organization’s values?
• Do those values align?
• If not, is that a dealbreaker?

Read through the company’s latest news stories

Where to look:   Press page on the company website and Google News

Read through the company website and search the company’s name on Google News to see how media outlets report on them. You’ll likely find press releases, company announcements, and articles about the company. This information will help you understand what the company has been up to and what it might be working on next. For example, if you come across news about upcoming expansions or mergers, you can ask the hiring manager how the process impacts your potential team or role.

• What do these articles tell you about the company’s evolution and growth opportunities?
• What questions can you form based on this information?

Read or watch interviews with the founders

Where to look:   Founders’ LinkedIn profiles, Twitter, or the company website

The Press or Media pages on the company’s website will feature articles that quote company founders and employees, but they might not include every interview. Founders and members of leadership often share links to their podcast interviews, video interviews, and written interviews on their LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. These interviews can give you an idea of their approach to work and other unique insights into the company that aren't shared elsewhere.

At Deel, we have an internal interview series called   Meet Deel . Every month, we talk to different team members about their path to Deel, their take on the future of work, and their area of expertise.

• What does the interview tell you about the founder’s leadership style?
• What did you learn about the company’s upcoming products, launches, or growth plans?
• What questions do you have based on this information?

Check out the company’s social media accounts

Where to look:   LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok 

Social media is a great way to look inside a company’s culture and values. When researching a potential employer,   60% of workers go to LinkedIn , followed by Glassdoor, Facebook, and other social media websites. You can also learn about a company’s industry and tone of voice through social media. 

Most companies have links to their social media profiles in their website footer at the bottom of the page. If not, check their Contact page or Menu.

• Are current employees promoting the company as a good place to work? If so, what are they saying?
• Are employees interacting with each other? What can you learn about their culture and team dynamics?
• What can you learn from the resources and information shared by the company?

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Research the company’s competition

Where to look:   Company website, LinkedIn, G2

Understanding where the company stands in relation to its competitors is crucial for pre-interview preparation. This information can give you insights into the challenges and opportunities the company might be facing. By researching competitors, you can prove you know the company well and can explain why you want to work there over a competitor.

Some companies may display competitor information on their website, like our   Deel vs. competitors   page. On LinkedIn, go to “Other People View” and click on the recommended companies’ profiles. These companies will typically be in the same industry. If you’re applying at a business software or services company, you can use   G2   to compare competitor information.

• Who are their main competitors?
• What advantages does the company have over the competitors?

Study the company’s products and services

Where to look:   Company website

Candidates should be familiar with the company’s products or services before applying for a job. You don’t have to become an expert, but you should be able to explain the company’s purpose to the hiring manager or recruiter. 

When you’re familiar with the product or service, you can easily explain how your skills and experience fit in with the company’s offerings. If possible, try out the products or services yourself to speak more confidently about them.

• What are their core offerings?
• Who uses them?
• Have you or someone you know used them? If so, what was their experience?

Learn about the company’s team structure

Where to look:   Company website or LinkedIn

By understanding how the teams are structured within a company, you can identify potential teammates and managers. Take time to research how different teams work together and how many levels of management there are. You may find this information on their About Us page (depending on the size of the company) or on LinkedIn.

Reviewing current employees’ LinkedIn profiles can also give you a sense of the company’s internal mobility strategy by seeing when and if employees are promoted or change positions.

• Do employees regularly move up in seniority or to different departments?
• What is their manager-to-direct-report ratio?
• What other teams might you work with? 
• Who is on the leadership team?

Read company reviews

Where to look:   Careers page and Glassdoor

You can find company reviews from current and former employees on the company’s Career page or crowd-sourced review websites like   Glassdoor . Reviews will give you insight into a company’s   compensation strategy , work culture, and leadership.

It’s best to use reviews as an informational resource instead of a final deciding factor in your choice to interview with a company, as every worker’s experience is different. Consider that the   average company rating   on Glassdoor is 3.5 out of 5 and that half of workers who left a dishonest review did so to damage their former company’s reputation.

However, you can use reviews to spot good and bad feedback trends and address any concerns in your interview.

• What red flags consistently arise?
• How does the company respond to critical reviews?
• What is the typical tenure for the position you’re applying for?

Research job interview questions

Where to look:   Glassdoor 

The best way to prepare for an interview is to know which questions they’ll ask you. Visit Glassdoor to identify common interview questions. Define the company and location to bring up their company profile—you may need to sign up and contribute a company review or experience to unlock this content.

• What are the standard interview questions?
• How many interviews will you have to complete?
• What tests or assignments are required?
• Who will you be speaking to?
• How long will the process take?

Get a read on their financial health

Where to look:   Company website, Crunchbase, Google Finance

Understanding a company’s financial health is crucial to deciding whether you should pursue a career with them, especially if the company is a start-up. You can often learn about upcoming acquisitions, new products, and revenue, giving you insight into their longevity and financial stability.

Larger, publicly-traded companies will likely have an investor relations page on their website that includes annual reports on quarterly earnings, board of directors updates, and announcements. See   Meta’s investor relations page   as an example.   Google Finance   will also give you a glimpse into their stock performance, relevant news articles, income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow.

If you’re interviewing at a start-up, search the company’s name on a website like   Crunchbase , where you’ll find information on funding rounds, total funding amounts, acquisitions, and press coverage. The most accurate and up-to-date information will come directly from the company, so only use Crunchbase and Google Finance as secondary sources.

• Who are the investors backing the business?
• How have the company's revenue and profits changed year-over-year?
• What is their financial outlook for the next year?

Ace the hiring process with more tips and resources

Deel helps connect the best workers with the best talent worldwide. Whether you’re a direct employee, EOR employee, or independent contractor, we make working from wherever easy—and that starts with the job search.

In this content series, we share articles, templates, and guides to help job seekers and new hires navigate the world of work, including:

• 5 Easy Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out
• How to Create Growth Opportunities in Your Career
• Why Can’t I Find a Job? 10 Common Mistakes According to Talent Acquisition Experts
• How to Choose Good Weaknesses for Job Interviews (With Examples)

Stay tuned for more actionable career advice and tips on navigating the interview process.

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Beyond the basics: advanced strategies for researching a company before an interview

Mar 29, 2023

Have you ever drawn a blank when asked a question about the company you’re interviewing for? Embarrassing, right? Employers favor applicants who are familiar with their business, and if you fumble over a basic question like, “Why do you want to work here?” you’ll likely be out of consideration. According to an American Staffing Association survey , only 73% of women and 66% of men agree that researching the company before an interview is essential. In such a competitive labor market, job hunters can’t afford to skip this step.

To help you prepare, human resource professional Natalyn McCants shares her expert advice on what to research, where to find information, and how to use it during your interview. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, these interview prep strategies are sure to help you make a lasting impression.

How to research a company for an interview

McCants first points out that the more senior the role , the more information she expects the candidate to know. But no matter the level of seniority, here’s where you should start.

The About Us page

The About Us page is the gateway to the company’s DNA. It has all the information about the company, McCants explains. It will have its history and story, which McCants says is important to know . “You want to learn as much as possible about the organization,” she says, and the About Us page will have it all. So go ahead and learn as much as possible from this page.

However, two sections are particularly important, adding McCants: the company’s mission and values. According to a 2022 Qualtrics study, 72% of workers feel personal accomplishment at work when they align with their company’s mission , vision, and values, and 70% are likely to recommend their employer as a great place to work.

Company mission

Effective mission statements summarize and convey the company’s goals and what it represents. It not only tells the world what the company is about, but it’s also a tool the company can use to recruit the right type of candidates . For McCants, finding alignment with yourself and the mission statement is important. Mission statements can distinguish where the company plans to go in the future , and the more their future goals align with yours, the better. McCants also notes that it’s crucial to show this alignment during the interview .

Company values

Ensuring that the company’s values align with your personal values is key, according to McCants. This creates increased synergy between you and the company leading to a better work relationship . “For example, if work-life balance is important in your life, then you don’t want to apply for a company where balance isn’t something they value or provide employees with,” McCants explains. You want a company that allows you to achieve your goals, she adds. Create, practice, and deliver a pitch explaining this connection for the interview.

Of course, it’s not entirely possible to understand the ins and outs of a company’s mission and values just by looking at its website. However, taking note of how they phrase things and how they talk about their workforce can give you some insights. Keep an eye out for these keywords throughout the company website.

Beyond the website

Want to impress the recruiter with more than what’s shared on the website? There’s a whole digital world out there, which means there are a whole lot of resources for you to check out before your interview.

Financial statements

Financial statements are written records illustrating a company’s business activities and financial performance. Some companies make them public, and some don’t. But make sure you check and study up if they’re available , McCants encourages. “I would be impressed if they had looked into the company’s financials,” she adds. “Especially for a more senior role or a position close to business operations.”

Find out where the business is now, and work it into your conversation. To get really specific, McCants recommends going deeper. If the company is publicly traded, the SEC’s EDGAR database provides free public access to corporate financial information and operations.

Latest news and events

Find out what new developments are happening in the company. Most companies have a page on their website dedicated to press releases and events. However, McCants suggests doing your own digging on Google. “If the industry or company is going through a shift, it’s essential to know,” she recommends. Take a look at what they’ve posted on social media lately, especially news and announcements that you can work into your conversation with the interviewer. “You want to learn as much as possible about the organization,” she adds.

Look at the department and role

Depending on the role you’re interviewing for, you should look up past initiatives. For example, “for a marketing position, you want to be aware of what they’ve done in the past, what they missed, and what [you] can bring to the team,” explains McCants. Look at what skills they value most and what skills they’re missing . “Show them what experience you can bring to the table,” she adds. Try to find information relevant to the role you’re applying for, find where they are trying to go, and tell them how you can contribute to the team’s future, McCants recommends.

Customer and employee reviews

Social media platforms and sites like Glassdoor are good ways to discover how the company is perceived from the outside and inside. “This is important for people in marketing or HR roles, as they need insight into this data,” McCants suggests. Look at the feedback, find solutions, and use it in your interview strategy and when preparing your answers .

When it comes to social media, looking at the comments section can be useful, but proceed with caution—disgruntled ex-employees or internet trolls are never far!

Is it stalking or just interview prep?

When it comes to researching the person interviewing you, “I always do,” says McCants. Some interviewers care, while others don’t. “We’re all different people,” she adds. “I personally look people up on LinkedIn where they can’t see me.” You can adjust your LinkedIn settings to browse profiles in private or semi-private mode.

Looking up the interviewer’s profile isn’t about being nosy; you’re learning about their interests. But most importantly, McCants says, you’re looking for similarities between you and the interviewer . “Maybe you like the same sports team, worked at the same company, or went to the same school, anything that might connect the two of you.” You can bring it up during the early introductions, McCants recommends. You want to relate to them, build connections and make yourself memorable. Don’t forget to ask the recruiter who you will speak with for the following interview. “Usually, the recruiter will give you that information,” McCants says.

How to prove you’ve done your research

McCants doesn’t quiz her candidates on company information. She expects the candidate to show their knowledge when answering scenario-based questions.

Slide it into the conversation

“It’s important to be consistent and not sound pompous when answering these questions,” she adds. To know the best time and information to slide into the discussion, you really need to know your facts before the interview. “Catch the opportunity and say it,” she adds. “But this is only possible with the right preparation.” McCants advises against giving their website a quick skim, but rather immersing yourself in their world until you’re comfortably familiar . The more you know, the more opportunities you’ll have to slip your knowledge into conversation.

Showing your values align

When the interviewer asks you a scenario-based question like, “Tell me about a time when X, Y, Z,” McCants says. “You should have a story prepared using the wording in their values.” For example, if teamwork is important to the company, ensure your story shows you’re a team player . This displays, without directly saying, that you have similar values to the company .

Showing you know the business and financials

It can be as simple as congratulating the interviewer on a publicly shared achievement . Or, if the company is a startup, and they have achieved Unicorn status, bring that into the conversation, McCants adds. She gives an example: “If you’re discussing navigating the chaotic startup environment, but you researched that a large company recently acquired them, you can mention how this acquisition benefits them. Then congratulate them.”

How can you tell if your research served you?

Do you want to know if your approach was the right one? Just ask! Recruiters want you to succeed, and they can be valuable resources. Ask the recruiters if they have any additional information and tips, McCants recommends. “They don’t always offer the information, but I have never had a negative response. It’s a smart tactic,” she adds.

McCants always asks for feedback after an interview . However, the feedback will only be useful if you apply it to your future strategies . Early in her career , McCants received input to learn more about the organization, which she had done but hadn’t presented correctly. Now she’s an expert in weaving information into conversations seamlessly!

Remember, you’re only human

Another piece of advice McCants received after an interview was to be more human. “They told me my interview was textbook, but when I asked for feedback, the recruiter hadn’t seen my personality until the last question.” You want to be able to connect with them and be memorable , so if you sound like a robot just reciting their website, the recruiter can’t see who you truly are as a candidate. She adds, “There’s that additional feeling you get when you’re having a real conversation, so make sure you keep your personality in your answers.”

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How to Research a Company Before an Interview

You can prepare for an interview by researching the company to discover how they treat their customers and employees, what goals they want to reach and what they stand for. This research provides you insight to prepare quality answers and ask the most relevant questions. It also allows you to highlight what interested you in the position and company during your interview. In this article, you will learn how to research a company before an interview so you can impress the interviewer.

Why research a company before an interview?

The information you gather from researching the company can help you illustrate your personal values and goals to your interviewer, setting you apart from other candidates. You should research the company you’re interviewing with in order to:

• Decide if you want to work for the company.  In your research, you may find that the organization’s culture and goals match yours, which may increase your interest in having a successful interview. You may also see that employees stay with the company for many years, which can be a sign that this company serves its employees well.
• Explain why you want to work for the company.  Your interviewer may ask you why you want to work for the company, and researching the company ahead of time can help you prepare effective response. Learn about the company’s culture, values and goals so you can provide specific reasons in your response.
• Show your interest in the industry and the company.  You can demonstrate your passion for your industry and excitement for working with a company by preparing talking points that are important to you and your career. This strategy can show how motivated you are in serving on their team.
• Prepare your answers.  Your research might give you ideas as to what the interviewers might ask or want to discuss. If you know the company well, you may be able to anticipate their questions and respond clearly and thoughtfully. You might also be more confident and relaxed. 
• Ask relevant questions.  The end of the interview is your opportunity to ask the interviewer questions. Prepare several questions you want to ask based on your research. 

How to research a company

Follow these steps to research a company before an interview:

1. Read the company’s website and learn about what’s important to them

Many company sites have an ‘About Us’ page that describes the organization’s history, founders, location, size, values and purpose. If the company has a ‘Recent News’ page, make sure to read their latest press releases and announcements to learn about important events, such as recent mergers or major hires. You can use this information to better understand the company’s mission, goals and achievements and see what contributions you can make.

You should also familiarize yourself with the company’s products or services to prepare you for questions regarding your knowledge of what the company provides. Be sure to understand the value each product or service brings to further demonstrate your investment in the company’s goals.

2. Research the industry and the latest company news using search engines

Search engines can reveal information not listed on a company’s website. Customer reviews are particularly useful for learning about a company’s reputation or the quality of their services or products. You can also use search engines to identify the company’s competitors, which can provide you insight into the company’s position in the industry. You can use the information on customer satisfaction and competitors to show that you care about the company’s success and reputation. 

3. Check their social media accounts and see how they interact with their audience

Browse the company’s social media profiles to see how they promote their products or services, interact with customers and demonstrate their company culture. You may find posts that advertise a new product launch, announce a new solution to common customer issues or publish photos of a recent team outing. All of this information can show you how the company publicly presents its mission and values, and it can provide more talking points for your interview. 

Consider complimenting how their customer service team uses social media to answer questions or asking about other team-building activities they have planned for the next quarter. This step can help you further demonstrate your interest in joining the team and being a part of their goals.

4. Research your interviewer to find personal and professional connections

Before your interview, you can search for the hiring manager on their professional networking profile to see if you have anything in common, such as a mutual connection or area of study in college. This information can help you form a more personal connection with your interviewer to improve their ability to recall you when making their hiring decision.

5. Use your professional network to learn more about the company and opportunity

You can use your own professional network to learn more about the company you’re interviewing with. Consider reviewing your contacts to see if you have first or second connections who currently work for the company or have worked there in the past. 

You may reach out to those connections to get an insider’s perspective on the company culture and day-to-day environment. You might even learn more about the company’s interview process as well, further preparing you for specific questions. This strategy may also provide you with a reference who might reach out to the hiring manager on your behalf.

As you collect information, consider writing a list of items you find most important or relevant to your prospective role, professional goals or personal values. You can review this list before your interview to ensure you can easily recall these details as you discuss the opportunity with your interviewer.

How to Research a Company Before an Interview

By Katie Duncan Posted on February 7, 2024

Every job interview has the potential to be a pivotal moment in your career journey. The outcome can determine your immediate career path as well as your long-term professional trajectory, making it important to put your best foot forward!

However, acing an interview is more than just showing up and talking about your skills, experiences, and personality. Success lies in how you prepare for your interview, and a big part of this involves research.

In this blog, we’ll break down the basics of how to research a company before an interview and how to incorporate your knowledge during the interview.

Why you should research a company before your job interview

Researching a company before a job interview is not just a recommended step— it’s a crucial one. 

Here are several compelling reasons why dedicating time to this pre-interview preparation is essential:

• It showcases genuine interest : When you demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to get to know the company, its history, and its current initiatives, you send a strong signal that you’re genuinely interested in the role . 
• You can align yourself with company values : Understanding a company’s core values and culture is vital. It allows you to assess whether you’d be a good fit for the organization and if the company aligns with your own values and career goals.
• It helps you tailor your responses : Armed with knowledge about the company’s products, services, and recent achievements, you can tailor your responses during the interview to highlight how your skills and experiences can contribute to the company’s success. This approach can make a significant impact on your interview performance.
• You are equipped to ask well-informed questions : Well-researched candidates are more likely to ask thoughtful, relevant questions during the interview. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you gain a deeper understanding of the company’s expectations and the role you’re applying for.

On top of all of this, being well-informed about the company can boost your confidence . You’ll feel more prepared to answer questions about the company and your fit within it, reducing nervousness during the interview.

How to research a company before your interview

When it comes to researching a company before an interview, a systematic approach can make all the difference. 

1. Start with the basics.

Start with the company’s official website to get a good overview of who they are. This can typically be found on a company’s website under an “About Us” or similar section. Things to look for include:

In addition, you should familiarize yourself with the key members of the leadership team, including the CEO, founders, and head of the department for the role you’re apply to. While you don’t need to know every detail about their lives, simply knowing their name can go a long way if you’re quizzed about it during the interview.

2. Explore recent news and press releases.

Check for a “News” or “Press” section on the website. This is where you can find the company’s latest achievements, announcements, and strategic directions. Pay attention to recent developments, such as product launches or expansions, as they may come up in your interview.

3. Connect on social media.

Follow the company on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated on their latest updates, culture, and community involvement.

By actively engaging with the company on social media and using these platforms as research tools, you can gain a well-rounded understanding of their online presence, how they interact with their audience, and any recent developments that may be relevant to your interview discussions. This additional layer of research can help you stand out as a well-informed and proactive candidate during your interview.

4. Use your network.

Leverage your network and professional platforms like LinkedIn for insights or connections. 

If you know someone within your network who works at or has connections with the company, they may be able to provide a referral or, at the very least, valuable information about the company and their interview process.

Professional platforms like LinkedIn can also provide a valuable look into company culture, employee experiences, and potential interviewers.

5. Read reviews and employee feedback.

Websites like JobSage, Glassdoor, and Indeed often feature employer reviews and ratings . Reading these can offer candid insights into company culture, work-life balance, and the interview process.

While your findings may not necessarily be something you bring up during the interview, this info can help you better assess whether or not the company is right for you.

6. Study the industry.

To truly comprehend a company’s position and potential challenges, it can help to get a better grasp on the industry’s landscape. In order to do this:

• Identify key players: Identify the major companies and competitors within the industry.
• Look at industry trends: Stay updated on current industry trends, emerging technologies, and market shifts.
• Understand what makes the company different from their competitors : Get insights into what sets the company apart from its competitors, such as unique value propositions, innovative approaches, or distinctive market positioning.

By studying the industry, you gain contextual awareness of the environment in which the company operates. This knowledge allows you to frame your interview responses in a broader context, demonstrating that you not only understand the company but also the challenges and opportunities it faces.

How to apply your research during the interview

Once you’ve done your homework and gathered valuable insights about the company, it’s time to use that knowledge effectively during your interview.

1. Incorporate company insights into your answers.

During the interview, make an effort to naturally integrate what you’ve learned about the company . For instance, if you were asked how you see yourself fitting in at the company, you can mention their products or ongoing initiatives, and then explain how your skills and experiences directly align with these aspects.

By doing this, you’re not just answering questions— you’re demonstrating that you’ve done your homework and that you’re genuinely excited about the company’s endeavors. This approach allows you to connect the dots between your background and the company’s goals, showing how you can be a valuable asset.

Keep in mind that the key here is to weave in relevant information naturally . There’s no need to drop facts about the company within every answer you give.

2. Highlight cultural fit.

Emphasizing your cultural fit is all about showcasing how your values, work style, and passions align with those of the company.

Say you’re applying to a company that lists collaboration as a core value. To highlight how you’d fit in at the company, you can talk about your collaborative work style. Be sure to illustrate specific examples where you’ve successfully worked with a team to accomplish a goal.

This connection can leave a strong impression on your interviewers. It indicates that you’re a qualified candidate and someone who’s poised to thrive within the company’s unique environment.

3. Showcase your understanding of the industry.

During the interview, delve into industry trends and challenges, and then relate them back to the company’s specific context. This approach demonstrates that you’re well aware of the bigger picture, beyond just the company itself. It shows your ability to think holistically and contribute effectively by understanding how the company fits into the broader industry landscape.

4. Ask informed questions.

Prepare a list of questions based on your research. Asking thoughtful and relevant questions demonstrates your excitement to work there and signifies your active engagement with the company. It’s also your chance to dig deeper into aspects that matter to you and to gain a clearer understanding of what it’s like to work for the company.

5. Demonstrate long-term commitment.

If you genuinely envision a long-term future with the company, express your eagerness to commit. Mention how your career aspirations align with the company’s trajectory. This shows your enthusiasm and reassures the company that you’re in it for the long haul.

Use your company research to get ahead

In the competitive world of job interviews, knowing how to research a company beforehand can make all the difference. Your ability to demonstrate genuine interest, align with company values, and showcase your understanding of the organization can set you apart as an exceptional candidate.

The more you invest in understanding the company, the better equipped you’ll be to secure the job of your dreams!

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Researching companies: How to research a company for an interview

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So, you’ve secured your interviews and you’re now at the stage of researching companies.

There’s no great secret to performing well in a job interview – it relies heavily on employer research strategies, preparation, and good interview techniques.

Prepare your answers for some of the most common graduate job interview questions with our interview questions guide .

This will help you know how to effectively prepare for an interview and what to research for an interview!

In order to succeed in a job interview, researching the employer is just as important.

Check out our top tips for how to research a company for an interview, how to research a company online and how to research a role so you can successfully impress an employer with your answers.

The importance of company research for interviews

Researching companies before an interview can hugely benefit you to ace it when the time comes.

Interviews can be stressful and worrying, but researching companies before interviews is a great way to help you feel more prepared and confident in your answers.

By doing this, you will be prepared in the right head space for your upcoming interviews.

It will also show that you understand the company, and that you are enthusiastic about the role.

Completing company research for interviews and finding out their missions and company culture will also allow you to quickly see if it’s the right place for you.

When interviewing, it’s important to choose companies that genuinely interest and excite you.

Don’t accept a position with an employer whose values do not match your own.

This could lead to you leaving a company prematurely, so your research is crucial to working for a company that suits you.

What to research before an interview?

Wondering how to research companies for interviews before applying for a role? Do you know what to research about a company for an interview?

Here are some of the key factors to find out from your research:

• What the company does and the industry they operate in
• Where it is located
• The approximate team size
• The company’s history, major successes and defining moments
• The company’s customers/clients or target audience
• The industry the company operates in
• Products or services that the company has recently launched
• The company’s mission, aims, objectives or goals

Now you know exactly what to research before an interview, here’s how to research a company for a job interview:

How to research companies for interviews

1. visit the company website.

Your first step should be to look online as it is easier than ever to research employers.

Find out what the company does whether it’s a product or service, history, successes, news, and information about the team – try the home page, ‘ About Us ’ and ‘ Meet The Team ’ pages of the employer’s website.

Look out for the company’s mission statement here too!

Take note of recurring messages, themes or values that appear across the site.

Perhaps there is a clear focus on company culture, or lots of information on ethical policy.

These things will help to shape your understanding of the organisation and what they look for in an employee.

Have a deep dive into information about a company, including any previous company names or the CEO and Director’s names, you could also use Companies House to conduct a bit of research.

It’s then important to make a note about what interests you in particular about this company.

Are they a new start-up? Do they operate in a sector that you’re really passionate about? Is the company culture attractive to you?

Keep these factors in mind ready to discuss them in your graduate job interview.

These are some of the best ways to research a company before an interview.

2. Find the company on social media

The majority of companies are present on social media.

A Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , Y ouTube or Instagram feed can give you great insight into what a company is like, as well as some of its key players.

You will find the company’s clients on LinkedIn and their company culture on Instagram.

Give the company a “like” or “follow” to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and to see what they are posting.

Mentioning in your interview you’ve seen their latest news from following them on their social media shows great initiative and can really impress an employer.

If you know the interviewers, search their names on LinkedIn to check their profiles for information on their role, background and interests.

You can use this information to create conversation and discuss any common interests to establish rapport showing proactivity!

Update your LinkedIn profile before you begin following others who you want to impress.

Check out our blog for 10 tips for creating a good LinkedIn profile.

3. Check out company review websites

Sites like Glassdoor, The Job Crowd and Crunchbase feature company profiles and reviews from previous employees and useful information like the number of employees at a company.

Looking at what candidates in similar graduate roles were asked in their interview will help you to prepare your answers.

Reviews can also give you further insight into company culture and what to expect from their leadership.

Search for successes and defining moments (i.e. did the company recently receive a large amount of funding?) – which, if mentioned in your interview, will be highly impressive to the employer.

4. Read the news

Staying up to date on the company’s newest products or latest industry trends will be a great conversation starter and prepare you for your graduate job interview!

Google and Google News can be a great place to access any news.

Completing a quick search will likely present you with information that may not appear on the company’s own website or social media profiles.

If you know that you can find news on the company in a specific location i.e. the Financial Times , TechUK or FinTech Weekly , make sure you’re up to scratch so that you won’t be caught out if anything is mentioned in the job interview.

5. Check out their competitors

As well as researching companies for interviews, carry out competitor research as this helps you get up to speed on current industry trends

You will have a better understanding of the company’s niche and what makes its product or service unique.

By learning how to research an employer before a job interview, you’ll be able to use it to your advantage – to help you stand out from candidates in your graduate job interview.

How to bring your research into an interview?

How to research for a job interview is important, equally you want to ensure all your research is going to make an impact by knowing how to implement it to your graduate interview questions.

Add in the relevant facts you know from your company research before interviews.

Expect questions such as:

• What do you know about our company?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What do you think are our biggest challenges this year?
• Why does this industry interest you?

You can also bring in your research by asking the interviewer questions, such as

“I understand you’re currently working on x project, how is this going and will my role play a part in this?” or “I know you’ve recently gained X client, what kind of work will you be doing for them?”.

Visit our blog for more top interview questions to ask the employer and how to answer the ‘do you have any questions for me?’ interview question.

How to research a role?

It’s important to know how to research for an interview and the role you’re interviewing for.

Researching the role will allow you to have a better understanding of what employers are looking for specifically and what to highlight in your interview answers to impress an employer.

If you’re wondering how to impress interviewers and what things to say in an interview, here’s our helpful guide:

Read the job description carefully

Read over the job description thoroughly as this is where the key requirements, skills, and tasks required will be.

Highlight any of the most important skills employers are looking for, and bring these into your interview answers.

If you’re asked questions like “what is your understanding of the role?” you can easily comment on the day-to-day tasks of the role and what skills you’ll need to demonstrate.

Check out our blog for more tips on decrypting the job description and finding out what employers are really asking for.

Read over your CV

Read over your CV before the interview and match up how your education, experience and skills fit the requirements of the job and key skills.

When you’re asked “why do you think you’d be a great fit for the role?”, you can easily and confidently state how your previous skills and experience match X skill/requirement of the job description.

Visit other employee’s LinkedIn profiles

Larger companies are likely to have employees in the same or similar roles as the one you are applying for.

See what recent projects they are working on and what tasks they have completed by visiting their profiles.

It will help you get a sense of what the role entails and what you might be working on.

Before you go to interview for graduate jobs, it’s important to thoroughly research the company as there are many benefits of researching a company before an interview!

You will feel confident, prepared and ready to show the employer that you’re committed to the role, and knowledgeable about their business.

Find more career advice on our careers advice blog – or check out the latest graduate roles !

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Answering 'what is your ideal work environment' in a job interview.

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Employers ask about your ideal work environment to assess fit.

Predicting what you'll be asked in a job interview is challenging. One common question that may leave you stumped if caught off guard is, “What is your ideal work environment?” Another version of this question is, "What type of work environment do you prefer?" Obviously, there is no perfect workplace. But preparing an answer to this question in advance will accomplish two things. First, it will force you to dig deep to identify what’s important to you. Best of all, articulating your vision in a clear and succinct way that aligns with the company’s values will also leave a lasting impression on your future employer.

Your ideal work environment refers to the type of workplace where you will be the most productive and satisfied. Employers ask this question for several reasons. One is to assess cultural fit. They want to know that your desires match what they have to offer. Why? Employees who fit well within an organization are more likely to feel motivated and engaged, resulting in higher productivity. It also gives the hiring manager insight into your personality—something more difficult to glean from a résumé.

Finding an ideal culture match matters just as much to you, the job seeker, as to the employer. So much so that a Glassdoor survey polling over 5,000 respondents from the U.S., U.K., France and Germany found that 73% said they wouldn’t even apply to a company unless its values align with their own. The next time you prepare for an interview, follow these steps to respond to the question, “What is your ideal work environment?”

Reflect on past experiences

The first step is to define your preferences. Look back on past work experiences to identify the environments in which you thrived. Remember, it’s about more than just describing the physical location. Think about factors such as:

• Flexibility
• Work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth
• Collaboration vs. working independently
• Structured vs. ambiguous environments

Then, make a list and prioritize these attributes. Are there any elements on which you could be flexible? Also, note any characteristics you consider deal breakers.

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Will trump go to prison here’s what happens now that he’s been found guilty in hush money case., can trump vote as a convicted felon here s what rights he could lose, research the company.

Some employers ask about your ideal work environment to ensure you researched the company. Check the job description for keywords like creative, fast-paced or team-oriented. To learn more about the company culture , review the corporate website. Pay special attention to the mission statement and careers section. Also, look at social media channels to get a glimpse into the organization’s priorities. Another idea is to create a Google alert to stay on top of breaking news or announcements. Finally, talk to current employees. By scheduling informational interviews, you can get an insider perspective on what it’s like to work there.

Prepare your response

In a job interview, you always want to appear energetic and enthusiastic about the role. So, when you respond, frame your answer in a positive light. For example, instead of describing how you hated working for your micromanaging boss who tracked your every move, focus on the fact that you’re a self-starter who thrives on flexibility. Highlight what is most important to you and connect it to the organization you’re interviewing with. To make your response more compelling, use real-life examples. By using a storytelling approach, your interview will be engaging and memorable.

Example answers

Here are a few sample responses to this increasingly common interview question:

You enjoy a team-based environment

My ideal work environment is one where I can express my creativity while using my problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles. I enjoy collaborating with team members on challenging assignments. Working in a rewarding environment is also important to me. That’s why I was impressed that you recently created a program to recognize employees who go above and beyond. I find that I’m most productive and motivated when I’m part of a team that celebrates each other’s wins.

You prefer a balance between group and independent projects

I prefer working both in a group setting and independently at times. When I researched your company, I learned that many employees collaborate on projects and also focus on their own responsibilities. I’ve found that this balance is what makes me thrive as an advertising executive. While I enjoy brainstorming sessions, I also like spending time alone to strategize and focus on my day-to-day responsibilities.

You thrive in a remote setting

My ideal work environment centers around working for an organization that empowers its employees. When I read that you are a global company that prioritizes a sense of belonging, I was excited. I am most energized and productive when I am given the flexibility to work remotely for fast-paced, high-growth companies. Given that you promote transparency, work-life balance and asynchronous work, I can make an immediate contribution in this role.

Job interviews are a two-way conversation. If you determine that the company culture and your expectations don’t align, that’s okay. The role may not be a good fit. However, if there is overlap, you can decide whether some preferences are worth compromising. Most importantly, be authentic. It will make you a more attractive candidate and increase the likelihood of finding a job opportunity that is the best fit for you.

Are you a woman who needs help changing careers? Download my FREE 22-page e-book: How Professional Women Can Master Career Change!

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7 Reasons to Research a Company Before & After Applying for a Job

Researching a company is easy and doesn't take much time. but why research a company at all here are several reasons why it's crucial to your application process before, during, and after applying for a job.

Researching a company is a pretty simple task, and it doesn’t mean you have to come up with a 120-page presentation that would make KPMG proud.

All it means is that you look up the company, find the key names of the people you may be interacting with, identify the company’s mission statement, short-term and long-term goals, and have a firm understanding of your prospective job position’s responsibilities. 

And, there are easy ways to do it.

From looking up the job responsibilities on Goodwall Opportunities to searching for the right people to address on LinkedIn to reading relevant pages on the company’s website, all it takes is some basic diligence and minimal effort to knock out this important employment process step.

But, why research a company at all? Can’t you just wing it? Won’t this take a lot of time?

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Here’s why you should research a company before, during, and after applying for a job:

Researching the Company Helps You Before Applying to a Job

1. you’ll know if the pay meets your expectations.

I’ll start with what seems like one of the more obvious points, but it can be more complicated than how it appears at first glance.

For your payment package, you might just be looking at the yearly amount and seeing it as adequate. But, if you are fresh out of college and this is one of your first jobs , it’s important to get the full picture before you sign that contract.

Is the salary they offer before or after they take taxes out (gross or net)? Does the payment package come with benefits, such as premium health insurance coverage , paid vacation days (and how many?), and 401(k)-matching? Are there perks like free snacks and coffee, gym memberships, or public transportation costs covered? These things all add up, so it’s best to understand the full value of a company’s pay package before you accept or decline an offer!

Related Read : How to Use Goodwall’s Web Profile to Land a Job or Internship Opportunity

2. It Helps You Understand if the Job & Company Are Right for You

The pay you can work on, to an extent, through salary negotiations. However, what you can’t really change is the job you’ll be tasked with doing and the company culture.

Say you want to be a digital marketer. As you know, the tasks from company to company for a digital marketing position will vary, sometimes greatly. While you may plan large-scale, international advertising campaigns as a digital marketer at Company A, the same job title could see you writing landing page copy and handling social media at Company B. Researching the company and the job fully will help you understand what you’re getting yourself into.

Same goes for the company. You may have found a dream job with excellent pay, perks, and benefits , but is it a company you can get behind? Do they have ethical backbone? If you’re against animal cruelty, for example, you don’t want to find out after you sign up that they perform product testing on rabbits. Likewise, if you’re environmentally conscious, you might think twice if you learn the company you’re thinking of is a major polluter. 

Related Read :  10+ Job Search Tips & Tricks to Up Your Chances of Landing an Interview

Understanding the Company Lets You Apply Successfully

3. it lets you better tailor your resume.

One of the most important resume tips to remember is to always tailor your resume. What this means is to write a resume specifically for this one job position and company, because no hiring manager appreciates a generic resume.

When you research a company before you apply, you’re able to really tailor your resume to fit exactly who they want in a potential candidate. Since your resume shouldn’t be too long, it’ll help you curate the right skills, list the most relevant achievements, and make the most impactful opening statement at the top of your resume.

Related Read : Internships 101: Everything You Should Know About Internship Programs

4. It Allows You to Personalize Your Cover Letter

Researching a company before writing a cover letter is also one of our most important cover letter tips , as well, for pretty much the same reasons. Your cover letter is made to make your case to the HR rep or hiring manager reviewing the dozens of applications they received, and you’ll have a better idea of what to write about in your cover letter.

For example, by researching the startup or organization before writing your cover letter, you can learn its mission, goals, and drive. Then you can speak how their goals and mission align with your own. Or, if the company has a quirky company culture, you can also show off your quirky side as you write.

Related Read : Top 17 Best Job Sites to Check Out if You’re Looking for Employment

5. It Locates the Right Person to Which to Send Your Email

Sending your resume and cover letter to [email protected] or [email protected] looks unprofessional, to say the very least. But, on top of that, it may not even make it to the right person.

When you investigate the company, you’ll easily find the name of the hiring manager or human resources supervisor so you can address the email directly to them. After all, first impressions are lasting impressions, and since this is the first time the company “meets” you, make sure you don’t turn them off from the very start!

Related Read : Job vs Career: What is the Difference Between a Job and a Career?

Company Research Gets You Successfully Through the Interview Process

6. it better prepares you for the interview.

Interviews can be quite scary, no matter how well and long you’ve prepared for them. And those silences, even a three-second pause can seem to stretch for an eternity!

You’ll really impress your interviewer when you can quickly and without missing a beat answer their interview questions on how you can help them achieve their long-term goals and what you think about their current marketing efforts, company culture, and mission. If you hadn’t researched the company beforehand, you’ll lose their interest when they see you can’t answer their questions and couldn’t have been bothered to prepare!

Related Read :  What to Bring to an Interview? 10+ Things to Take for Your Big Meeting

7. It’ll Show Them You’re Excited About Possibly Being Hired

Finally, researching the company shows them that you are enthusiastic at the prospect of being a future employee. They’ll see the effort you’ve put in to prepare for the interview by doing your homework, but they’ll also get the sense that you really are genuinely interested in working for them and doing your best.

All other things being equal, you’ll have the job in the bag!

Related Read : How to Prepare for an Interview: 10 Ways to Get Ready for Your Big Day

Well, that’s our guide on why researching a company is important during each and every stage of the employment process, and we hope it helps you on yours! Got any questions, feedback, or other points to add about doing company research during the job search? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

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Over recent months, tech companies have been laying workers off by the thousands. It is estimated that in 2022 alone, over 120,000 people have been dismissed from their job at some of the biggest players in tech – Meta , Amazon , Netflix , and soon Google – and smaller firms and starts ups as well. Announcements of cuts keep coming.

Recent layoffs across the tech sector are an example of “social contagion” – companies are laying off workers because everyone is doing it, says Stanford business Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer. (Image credit: Courtesy Jeffrey Pfeffer)

What explains why so many companies are laying large numbers of their workforce off? The answer is simple: copycat behavior, according to Jeffrey Pfeffer, a professor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business .

Here, Stanford News talks to Pfeffer about how the workforce reductions that are happening across the tech industry are a result mostly of “social contagion”: Behavior spreads through a network as companies almost mindlessly copy what others are doing. When a few firms fire staff, others will probably follow suit. Most problematic, it’s a behavior that kills people : For example, research has shown that layoffs can increase the odds of suicide by two times or more .

Moreover, layoffs don’t work to improve company performance,  Pfeffer adds. Academic studies have shown that time and time again, workplace reductions don’t do much for paring costs. Severance packages cost money, layoffs increase unemployment insurance rates, and cuts reduce workplace morale and productivity as remaining employees are left wondering, “Could I be fired too?”

For over four decades, Pfeffer, the Thomas D. Dee II Professor of Organizational Behavior, has studied hiring and firing practices in companies across the world. He’s met with business leaders at some of the country’s top companies and their employees to learn what makes – and doesn’t make – effective, evidence-based management. His recent book Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance–And What We Can Do About It (Harper Business, 2018) looks at how management practices, including layoffs, are hurting, and in some cases, killing workers.  

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Why are so many tech companies laying people off right now?

The tech industry layoffs are basically an instance of social contagion, in which companies imitate what others are doing. If you look for reasons for why companies do layoffs, the reason is that everybody else is doing it. Layoffs are the result of imitative behavior and are not particularly evidence-based.

I’ve had people say to me that they know layoffs are harmful to company well-being, let alone the well-being of employees, and don’t accomplish much, but everybody is doing layoffs and their board is asking why they aren’t doing layoffs also.

Do you think layoffs in tech are some indication of a tech bubble bursting or the company preparing for a recession?

Could there be a tech recession? Yes. Was there a bubble in valuations? Absolutely. Did Meta overhire? Probably. But is that why they are laying people off? Of course not. Meta has plenty of money. These companies are all making money. They are doing it because other companies are doing it.

What are some myths or misunderstandings about layoffs?

Layoffs often do not cut costs, as there are many instances of laid-off employees being hired back as contractors, with companies paying the contracting firm. Layoffs often do not increase stock prices, in part because layoffs can signal that a company is having difficulty. Layoffs do not increase productivity. Layoffs do not solve what is often the underlying problem, which is often an ineffective strategy, a loss of market share, or too little revenue. Layoffs are basically a bad decision.

Companies sometimes lay off people that they have just recruited – oftentimes with paid recruitment bonuses. When the economy turns back in the next 12, 14, or 18 months, they will go back to the market and compete with the same companies to hire talent. They are basically buying labor at a high price and selling low. Not the best decision.

People don’t pay attention to the evidence against layoffs. The evidence is pretty extensive, some of it is reviewed in the book I wrote on human resource management, The Human Equation: Building Profits by Putting People First. If companies paid attention to the evidence, they could get some competitive leverage because they would actually be basing their decisions on science.

You’ve written about the negative health effects of layoffs. Can you talk about some of the research on this topic by you and others?

Layoffs kill people, literally . They kill people in a number of ways. Layoffs increase the odds of suicide by two and a half times. This is also true outside of the United States, even in countries with better social safety nets than the U.S., like New Zealand.

Layoffs increase mortality by 15-20% over the following 20 years.

There are also health and attitudinal consequences for managers who are laying people off as well as for the employees who remain . Not surprisingly, layoffs increase people’s stress . Stress, like many attitudes and emotions, is contagious. Depression is contagious , and layoffs increase stress and depression, which are bad for health.

Unhealthy stress leads to a variety of behaviors such as smoking and drinking more , drug taking , and overeating . Stress is also related to addiction , and layoffs of course increase stress.

What was your reaction to some of the recent headlines of mass layoffs, like Meta laying off 11,000 employees?

I am concerned. Most of my recent research is focused on the effect of the workplace on human health and how economic insecurity is bad for people. This is on the heels of the COVID pandemic and the social isolation resulting from that, which was also bad for people.

We ought to place a higher priority on human life.

If layoffs are contagious within an industry, could it then spread across industries, leading to other sectors cutting staff?

Of course, it already has. Layoffs are contagious across industries and within industries. The logic driving this, which doesn’t sound like very sensible logic because it’s not, is people say, “Everybody else is doing it, why aren’t we?”

Retailers are pre-emptively laying off staff, even as final demand remains uncertain. Apparently, many organizations will trade off a worse customer experience for reduced staffing costs, not taking into account the well-established finding that is typically much more expensive to attract new customers than it is to keep existing ones happy.

Are there past examples of contagious layoffs like the one we are seeing now, and what lessons were learned?

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, every airline except Southwest did layoffs. By the end of that year, Southwest, which did not do any layoffs, gained market share. A.G. Lafley, who was the former CEO of Procter and Gamble, said the best time to gain ground on your competition is when they are in retreat – when they are cutting their services, when they are cutting their product innovation because they have laid people off. James Goodnight, the CEO of the software company SAS Institute, has also never done layoffs – he actually hired during the last two recessions because he said it’s the best time to pick up talent.

Any advice to workers who may have been laid off?

My advice to a worker who has been laid off is when they find a job in a company where they say people are their most important asset, they actually check to be sure that the company behaves consistently with that espoused value when times are tough.

If layoffs don’t work, what is a better solution for companies that want to mitigate the problems they believe layoffs will address?

One thing that Lincoln Electric, which is a famous manufacturer of arc welding equipment, did well is instead of laying off 10% of their workforce, they had everybody take a 10% wage cut except for senior management, which took a larger cut. So instead of giving 100% of the pain to 10% of the people, they give 100% of the people 10% of the pain.

Companies could use economic stringency as an opportunity, as Goodnight at the SAS Institute did in the 2008 recession and in the 2000 tech recession. He used the downturn to upgrade workforce skills as competitors eliminated jobs, thereby putting talent on the street. He actually hired during the 2000 recession and saw it as an opportunity to gain ground on the competition and gain market share when everybody was cutting jobs and stopped innovating. And it is [an opportunity]. Social media is not going away. Artificial intelligence, statistical software, and web services industries – none of these things are going to disappear.

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Hate job interviews? New book promises lighter, brighter career process for 'very best stuff'

New book, 'i hate job interviews,' helps candidates quell stress and pump up performance.

John Ratzenberger warns more skilled labor jobs needed to 'save civilization'

'Cheers' star John Ratzenberger discusses the importance of teaching manufacturing skills to the next generation on 'The Bottom Line.'

When a person searching for a new job receives an interview invitation, the opportunity can present a wave of emotions — everything from excitement to anxiety to stress. 

A new book by Colorado-based author Sam Owens, "I Hate Job Interviews: Stop Stressing. Start Performing. Get the Job You Want," to be released on June 4 from HarperCollins Leadership, is proposing to help job hunters land their dream jobs by mastering job interviewing. 

The timing not only resonates with new grads — but for anyone looking to start a new career opportunity . 

TOUGHEST JOB INTERVIEW QUESTION OF ALL: ‘WHAT CAN YOU IMPROVE ABOUT YOURSELF?’

Owens is a career coach who has worked with clients to boost confidence for job interviews. 

"Most of my clients are highly talented and qualified people with low interview confidence, either because they are new at it or because they’ve been out of the interview game for a long time," Owens told FOX Business.

A new book about job interviewing takes candidates "through a step-by-step process, including practicing with them and giving real-time feedback — which helps them get the jobs they want." (iStock / iStock)

"They haven't made job interview prep a priority, and it's hurting their ability to land jobs. So I take them through a step-by-step process, including practicing with them and giving real-time feedback — which helps them get the jobs they want."

VIRAL CAREER TREND HAS PEOPLE ENGAGING IN ‘JOB CUFFING’: HERE'S WHY AND WHAT IT MEANS

The new book, said Owens, teaches people to develop answers to virtually any job interview question.

3 job-interviewing tips

1. do your research.

"Get inside information before the interview by talking with people familiar with the job or company," noted Owens. 

"Inside information is bad in financial trading, but it's good in the job search world." 

"When an interviewer asks you to describe your leadership ability, tell them a specific story of when you demonstrated leadership." (iStock / iStock)

When done right, he said, inside information can give applicants a huge advantage in the interview — and the initiative shown by getting it can impress companies.

2. Reference a specific achievement  

When interviewers ask you to describe your leadership ability, tell them a specific story of when you demonstrated leadership, suggested Owen. 

THESE CAREER BLIND SPOTS COULD BE HOLDING YOU BACK AT WORK: ‘GAIN CONTROL,’ SAYS AUTHOR

"They will never forget it, and it will leave no doubt in their minds on the matter," he said.

3. Highlight your skills  

Owens suggested that interviewees read the job description to understand the skills that a potential employer seeks.

"This will make sure you're highlighting your very best stuff in every response," he noted. 

What should people wear to an interview? 

This is where researching the company comes into play again, said Owens. 

"They should find out what the dress code is at the company, and dress a little nicer," he said. 

A lack of planning for an interview "is the greatest single fault found in the interviewing process." (iStock / iStock)

"You want them to remember your amazing responses, not that you wore a tux."

How can people stand out in an interview?  

Owens said that the notion of standing out is a common question he’s asked. The key points are preparation and practice, he said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

To that point, the Harvard Business Review reported that a lack of planning for an interview "is the greatest single fault found in the interviewing process."

"Be the clear winner."

It also said, "All too often, the inexperienced interviewer launches into a discussion only to find midway through that his preparation is incomplete."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Owens shared that landing a dream job or big promotion often comes down to performance in the job interview. 

"The way to stand out is to be fully prepared, to have amazing responses to questions and to be the clear winner," he said.  

The new book is available at Amazon . 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle .

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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Emily Mullin

Neuralink’s First User Is ‘Constantly Multitasking’ With His Brain Implant

In 2016, Noland Arbaugh suffered a spinal cord injury while swimming in a lake. The details are fuzzy, but what he remembers is rushing toward the water with his friends, diving in, and hitting his head on something—or someone. He floated to the surface, unable to move.

Doctors later confirmed that he was paralyzed from the neck down. Arbaugh went from being a self-sufficient college student to moving back in with his parents and relying on them for his daily needs. He learned how to get around in a wheelchair and use a mouth-held stick to operate an iPad, but the hardest adjustment was feeling like he was a burden on his family.

The year 2016 was also when Elon Musk cofounded the brain implant startup Neuralink . This January, Arbaugh became the first person to receive the company’s investigational device , dubbed Telepathy, as part of a clinical trial. Known as a brain-computer interface , or BCI, it decodes intended movement signals in the brain and translates them into computer commands. Arbaugh just has to think about moving a cursor on his laptop screen and it moves.

The experimental device has given Arbaugh, now 30, a sense of independence. Before, using a mouth-stick required someone to position him upright. If he dropped his mouth-stick, it needed to be picked up for him. And he couldn’t use it for long or he’d develop sores. With the Neuralink device, he has nearly full control of a computer. He can browse the web and play computer games whenever he wants, and Neuralink says he has set the human record for cursor control with a BCI .

Arbaugh isn’t the first person to get a BCI; one recipient, Nathan Copeland, has had one for nine years . Beyond Neuralink, several other companies are working to commercialize BCIs to help people with paralysis, mental health disorders, and even blindness. Arbaugh recently spoke with WIRED via Zoom to talk about his experience in the Neuralink study. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

By Kim Zetter

By Nena Farrell

By Will Knight

By Julian Chokkattu

Emily Mullin: Before you got the implant, what was your day-to-day life like?

Noland Arbaugh: I was lying in bed most days, all day. I didn’t get up a whole lot unless I had something to do. I got up to take showers every other day. I got up when people would come to my house to see me, but outside of that I was just in bed.

Right before my “initiation” into Neuralink, I was trying to learn a lot more. I was trying to get my life back on track, because I had kind of done nothing for five years after my accident. So I started learning languages and stuff. The two years before the Neuralink trial I was actively trying to better myself.

You’ve said you found out about the Neuralink trial from a friend. Had you heard of brain-computer interfaces before then?

Musk is a very showy person, and Neuralink has livestreamed some flashy updates over the years. What was your initial impression of the company?

I was blown away at what they were trying to do. You know, Elon Musk, he has had such an impact on the world, whether people think that’s good or bad. It was really cool knowing that he was a part of something like this. I really feel like we’re kindred spirits with our mentality of wanting to better humanity.

It was very cool to see the richest man in the world, possibly one of the most powerful men in the world, taking an interest—you just don’t see this kind of funding go into things for handicapped people.

You had to go through a pretty extensive screening process to find out if you were eligible for the Neuralink trial. What was that like?

It took about a month. I applied and within a day I’d gotten an email back that said I’d been selected and they wanted me to go through the first interview. I did a bunch of Zoom interviews. I had to do a lot of medical screenings. They asked about my medical history and family history, and I had to do a psych screening.

At the very end, about a month in, I went to the hospital they had selected. I did a full day of screening, which was eight hours of tests, including brain scans, different head scans, blood tests, and urine tests. I did another psychoanalysis and then memory tests to see if I was all there cognitively and also just to get a baseline, so if anything changes they would be able to know where I was when I began. That was a long day.

After that, it was just a waiting game.

When they told you that you had been selected for the trial and were going to get the Neuralink implant, how did you feel?

The whole time I tried to keep my expectations really level. They told me throughout this whole process that at any point, if I don’t meet one of their criteria, they’ll move on in a different direction. I tried to push down any expectation I had just because I didn’t want to get my hopes up and be let down. It was hard to not get excited. But I think I needed that to keep me grounded through the whole process.

Did you have concerns or fears at any point about getting brain surgery?

There were a couple of things that gave me pause, but I wouldn’t call them concerns. It was more that I needed to think through it and sort through my feelings and emotions and see if I was really ready to undertake what was coming my way.

The first is that I’m a quadriplegic, and all I really have is my brain. So letting someone go in there and mess around, it’s a big commitment. If something goes wrong, that’s kind of it for me. But I knew I wanted to help out, and I didn’t want to let my fears get in the way of that.

The second thing that gave me pause was that I didn’t know if I wanted to be the first one to get this in my brain if anything would go wrong with the implant. What if it breaks or stops working and I only have it for a day, a week? I thought maybe someone else should get it first, and I’ll get the better version of it.

Did Neuralink prepare you for the possibility that the implant might not work?

I knew there were a lot of risks going in, and I knew it might not work. I didn’t anticipate any of that though. I had complete faith in Neuralink.

The day after your surgery, Musk posted on X that the device was showing neuron spike detection. Was it really that fast?

I was lying in my hospital bed right after surgery, and they came in and woke up the implant for the first time. They showed me a screen with different channels on it, and they said they were real-time signals that the Neuralink was picking up in my brain. So I knew it was working.

My first instinct was to just start playing around, moving my fingers, to see if I could notice any big spikes. Every time I moved my index finger, there was a big yellow spike, and I did it three or four times. I was just lying there thinking, “That’s so cool.” I moved my finger and it jumped, and everyone in the room was just geeking out.

Once they started putting me in the app and letting me do things like calibration and body mapping and I got cursor control for the first time, it was very intuitive. It wasn’t hard at all, and I think it’s only going to improve from here.

By body mapping, you mean that you would think about moving your hand or your finger in a certain way and Neuralink would correlate that with a certain neural signal?

Yeah, so in the body mapping, there were visualizations of a hand moving on a screen. There were different actions that they had me perform, like push your hand forward, pull your hand back, and so I did that for a while. We would do the action during body mapping, and they said that same action will be how you control the cursor. We did finger presses, like pushing down with each of my fingers 10 times. Then they would say, “OK, this finger got the best signal, and so that's the one we're going to use for the click.” So every time I went to click, I used that finger. It was very intuitive.

You’re not actually moving your finger then, just thinking about it?

Exactly. Even though I can’t move it, I can still try to move it, and it feels like it should be moving. The signal is still happening in my brain.

What does it feel like to be using the device? Do you have to concentrate really hard?

No, it’s very easy. I’m constantly multitasking when I’m in sessions or when I’m playing around. I’ll throw on an audiobook or throw something on my TV and then play a game at the same time. It takes very little brain power. What I’m thinking the whole time is just where I want the cursor to go.

What devices are you able to use the Neuralink app on?

It’s just on a Macbook right now, but they’re planning on moving it onto other devices. It will move to a phone pretty soon, and we’ll continue going from there.

Neuralink put out a blog post recently about your first 100 days with the device, and it mentioned that some of the implant’s threads, which are dotted with electrodes that read your neural activity, pulled out of your brain. Did you notice a difference in functionality when that happened?

I could tell right away that something was wrong. I just started losing control of the cursor. That was about three weeks in, I would say. I thought it was something on their end, like they had changed something in the software that made it perform worse.

Were you aware that it was possible that the threads could come out ?

I didn’t have any knowledge that it was possible. I don’t think they saw it in any of the animal trials. I had heard that it had maybe happened in one of the monkeys but that it was much different. It was never anticipated that it would happen in me.

But there were a lot of things that they didn’t expect with the human brain, like just how much it moves. It threw off a lot of their calculations for how things should be going.

How long did it take to recalibrate and get back to the cursor speed you were at before?

It took maybe two weeks. I remember the day that it happened. I was playing on it, and things just got better. It was just one little tweak that they had made on the software side, and from that point on things kept getting better and better.

Are you worried at all that more threads could pull out and the implant could stop working altogether?

Yeah, I’ve had fears about that. I’ve mentioned it to them. They have been very upfront with me and said that they don’t see any evidence of that. It seems like the threads have stabilized, and even some that were pulled out of my brain had found their way back in. I’m not worried about it now.

How has your life changed since getting the implant?

It’s just made me more independent, and that helps not only me but everyone around me. It makes me feel less helpless and like less of a burden. I love the fact that the people around me don’t have to wait on me so much. Outside of being completely healed, I believe what most quadriplegics want is independence.

What do you wish you could do with your implant that you can’t do right now? What does Telepathy 2.0 look like?

I mentioned this in [Neuralink’s] all-hands meeting, and I think it would be so freakin’ cool if I had a [Tesla] Optimus robot that I could control with it that would do basically everything for me and be a caretaker. It would eliminate probably 90 percent of the things that I need other people for. On top of that, it could connect to other things. I could connect to a car—a Tesla would be pretty cool, because they’re already self-driving. I would just need to find some way to get into it and set an address. Right now it’s a mission to get me anywhere. There are so many people, so many moving parts that are involved. If I could do all that on my own, man, it would change everything.

There are now a few dozen people around the world who have gotten BCIs. Have you met any of them?

No, I haven’t. I would like to. Maybe I need to take that first step and reach out. Maybe they’re all mad because I’ve been breaking world records .

You’ll have the implant for at least a year as part of the trial. Is there a scenario where you’d want to have it taken out?

My thinking through this whole process has been, it would benefit Neuralink if I left it in as long as possible, because I’ll have the longest case study of anyone. I would like to do that if it benefits them. That being said, if after a year I or Neuralink feels as if they’ve gotten what they can from me, and I’ve given what I can, then we’ll see. It also depends on how functional it is. I don’t expect it to lose any more function, but I never know what the future holds.

What has Neuralink told you about the possibility of getting an improved model?

I would love one, but they haven’t promised me anything. They’re not allowed to because it’s seen as an incentive. Since it’s a voluntary study, I’m not allowed to be incentivized at all in any way.

I hope that being the first short-lists me in some way, but if this is the extent of my participation, then that would be enough for me.

Neuralink is looking for a second trial participant . What would you say to that person?

I’m excited to have a buddy in this, someone to compare notes with. It will be nice to get a different perspective. I only have a few months on the next participant, but I want to help out in any way I can and be available for any questions they have. I guess my role in all this is sort of like a big brother.

What do you think is the next frontier for BCIs?

Being able to translate language in real time, I think that’s doable.

I know that BCIs don’t write into the brain yet, they just read. There’s no way to insert knowledge in there. But I think if we’re already at the reading step, then maybe writing comes next. That is a little bit of a scarier notion and something that I feel like a lot of people might not be too happy with. Maybe that’s something that needs to be thought out a bit more and taken a bit more carefully. But I think it’s a real possibility, and it’s a real bright future.

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Mainebiz interviewed Jason Entsminger, an assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation and small business specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Business School. Entsminger said the business landscape for agriculture in Maine is rapidly changing as people seek to reconnect with traditional, slow-food ways of life and farmers find new ways to engage them.

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