Looking For a New Job? Things to Look For in a Company of Interest (3/3)

As part of our upcoming Virtual Hiring Event, we have put together a series of blog posts for our attendees – hopefully some helpful advice on how to best prepare and approach next week’s (August 26th) event. In our third installment, some ideas on preparing for an interview by researching a potential employer.

The hunt for a new job can be a challenging and frustrating experience. It can look like multiple rejections after job interviews that you thought you nailed, or as we so often see/hear from folks: getting no response at all.

Doing well with interviewers is more than just speaking about your skills, education and experience. They also want to know that you’ve done your due diligence and thoroughly researched the company ahead of time.

Knowing where to start with your research can seem tricky, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple tips that will boost your chances of having a successful interview at next week’s Virtual Hiring Event.

Learn the Company’s Mission Statement 

Having a solid understanding of what your dream company does is a no-brainer. The company’s mission statement should be accessible on their website and should provide information about their values and overall goals.

During an interview, the information that you discover can be used to your advantage. You can also tie the company’s mission with your own personal values to highlight their similarities.

Develop Your Knowledge of the Products and Services Offered

When researching a company, you should seek to deepen your knowledge of the products and services they offer.

For example, if a company prides itself on providing an exceptional customer experience, consider bringing that up in an interview. Doing so shows that you are aware of the company’s strengths and can speak to how you can contribute to them.

Learn About the Company’s Culture

46% of candidates consider company culture to be an important factor when choosing to apply to a company.

As an applicant, you want to be a part of a work culture that aligns with your values. There are multiple ways to gain insight into a company’s work environment, including by digging through their social media.

There, you may come across posts showcasing employee engagement, social events, or even a peek into what the day-to-day looks like.

This can allow you to get a feel for the work atmosphere – is the team laid back and modern or professional and traditional?

Once you have an idea of what the company culture is like, your job is simple; portray yourself as someone who could easily fit into that culture in your interview.

Another way to suss out the company culture is by consulting both employee and customer review sites. While this feedback is valuable, it is important to keep in mind that reviews can be subjective. Try to keep an eye out for repeated patterns of satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

Identify Their Customers

The customer reviews left behind for a company can help you identify the demographic that the company serves, as well as what their pain points are.

These reviews can provide insight into what’s working for customers and what can be fine-tuned to meet their needs. Armed with this information, you can impress your interviewer by offering suggestions for how to improve the company’s product (or service).

Not only does this showcase how much of an innovative and creative thinker you are, but it also speaks to your initiative and research abilities.

Stay On Top of the Latest Happenings

Keeping up with the latest updates within a company will make you appear knowledgeable and separate you from other candidates.

This shows commitment and a genuine interest in the company. It can also give you talking points in an interview.

Doing this can be as simple as looking through the page dedicated to press releases on the company’s website or reading up on news related to the company.

So, there you have it. Simple and actionable ways to increase your chances of landing a job next week.

Coming to an interview informed and prepared only adds to the great skills and qualifications you have in relation to the role.

By applying these tips, you will appear confident, insightful and genuinely interested in being a part of the company participating next week.