How do you research a company and show interest in their goals?

Look up the company's website about us section. From there, take a look at their recent news/events. If you want to go above and beyond, take a look at their most recent earnings report (if they're public) and what the sentiment is on wall street. You can also take a look at their socials - LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram/Facebook - to see what they're promoting. Finally - do a deep dive on the interviewing team on LinkedIn and get a sense of their overall background. Once you gather all of this info, figure out a way to tie in your experience to hit the main focus areas of your research.

From my professional perspective, thorough research sets the stage for a successful job interview. Explore a company's background, products, services, and customers to grasp their purpose and direction. By aligning your skills and experiences with their needs, you can convey your passion for their mission.

Don’t rely much on the website; they’re just a brochure. Go to LinkedIn! 1. Read all the articles the company is posting. 2. Research all the people who work there. i. What are people’s backgrounds. ii. What are those people posting iii. What recommendations do they have and who from? 3. Research who previously worked there - for how long, where did they go to…? Then… Look at Companies House. 1. What do their accounts tell you? 2. Who are the Directors and Owners. - what more can you find out about them in these official records?

If you are interviewing at a non-profit, locate their strategic plan on their website. This strategy document will outline their most important priorities. B prepared to discuss these areas and, more importantly, how you can contribute to helping them grow in these priority areas.

Examining patents, trademarks, and intellectual property reveals innovation, tech advancements, and objectives. Accessing analyst reports, investor presentations, and call transcripts provides insights into initiatives, risks, and future prospects. Analysing regulatory filings, like SEC filings, offers a view of compliance, legal matters, and business approach. Investigating relations with vendors shows alliances, supply chain strategies, and developments. Delving into academic papers, industry journals, offers trends, collaborations, and the company's academic standing. These challenging methods need dedication but offer deeper understanding, revealing aspects not found through standard research.

Digging deeper is about looking at their reports etc and the market overall. But also reaching out to people who work at the company and learning from them. Asking them questions or even seeing the key things they might be posting or talking about it!

One thing that I have found to be invaluable when researching a company and expressing interest in their goals is to go beyond the surface-level information. While it's important to understand the company's background, products, and services, I've discovered that delving deeper into recent news, industry trends, and their community impact can make a significant difference. By incorporating these insights into conversations, it showcases a higher level of engagement and a genuine commitment to staying informed and connected to the company's goals beyond just the immediate job opportunity.

Here are some ideas to learn more about the company, especially to gain perspective for a customer-facing role. These can help you assess whether the company is a good fit for your values & working style. ? Research the company's customers to learn about their needs and priorities, and how the company positions itself in the market and differentiates itself from competitors. ? Customer reviews can give insight on how staff interacts with customers, how it values customer service, and if the company is responsive to customer needs and concerns. ? Reviews may mention the company's values, such as sustainability, social responsibility, or ethical business practices. You can learn what the company prioritizes & their practiced values.

It isn't just looking at social media or podcasts about the firms, it's using search to find info about the people you'll meet beyond their LinkedIn profile. Have they spoken at conferences? Have they been interviewed on tv or for podcasts? Are they on X, Insta? Do they have a podcast or YouTube channel? Do they write on LinkedIn? Most people would know their firm's mission statement so I'd skip that. Prepare 3 stories for behavioral interview questions based on the job description and rehearse them so they're second nature. For some, understand the industry and competitors. News articles. Awards. Any controversies? Understanding pain points let you understand their needs. What is their employer brand and red flags on Glassdoor, etc..

Becoming familiar with developments across the wider industry is often overlooked and demonstrates a wider enthusiasm versus knowing when X company was founded. Read industry specific business news, particularly reflections and forecasts, and be able to speak with confidence about what you’ve learned.

Hiring managers have dedicated time. Engage in the interview by asking the right questions. Do not wait until the end. There is no rule on how many questions to ask. E.g, The hiring manager has 1 hour scheduled for an interview with 10 questions to ask everyone. One candidate sits there & completes all 10 questions & another one takes time to have a conversation with questions from the start. The second candidate will be asked less than 10 questions. After answering questions on past performance ask questions. ?? "Could you tell me what are top KPIs for a high performer & how it is measured" Don't assume about KPIs 20 + questions to ask to get info & sound smart ?? teachndo.com/post/questions-to-ask-in-job-interview

Understanding the role inside out is crucial. Thoroughly dissect the job description, taking note of key responsibilities and required skills. Extend your research to the department, team, and potential manager. Platforms like LinkedIn and Glassdoor offer valuable insights into work culture. This detailed knowledge will enable you to customize your application and interview responses to precisely match the role's demands and objectives. It's a strategic move towards securing the position.

Showing interest doesn’t mean you go into the interview and ask a bunch of questions about things that you couldn’t care less about. Don’t research generic questions that you think they want to hear, be genuine - ask questions about the business that actually mean something to you. Hiring managers will hear the same questions time and time again, don’t add to the monotony.

When researching also look for news about the company that you can reference. Did they have a recent acquisition? Did they just launch a major product? Then you can ask questions about it showing you did your research. Also if you get the benefit of knowing who you’re interviewing with, check them out on LinkedIn or Google. Then cater a question to them but keep it a out the work. Something like, “Based on all you accomplished at Lyft, and what you’re working on here, what is your approach to prioritizing tasks for the largest impact while maintaining a work/life balance?” This shows three things: 1.) you researched them 2.) you complimented their work 3.)work/life balance is important to you

Preparation & Execution! It’s like peeling an onion: there are several layers. What does the company show to the world via its website? What is being said about them in the news? What are the big issues they are facing? Who works there that is already in your network? (Speak to them!) Who are the people interviewing you? What can you find out about them? Can you process all of this information & be so comfortable with it that you are ready to reference it at any stage? In the interview(s), seize opportunities to show your knowledge. Crucially, do not wait until the end to ask questions: build them into your answers & turn it into a more natural conversation. It will ease nerves and show your comfort with the issues at hand.

Absolutely, showing genuine interest can make a significant difference. It's not just about acing the interview, but also about determining if the company aligns with your own values and goals. Thorough research allows you to understand their culture and mission. This, in turn, enables you to articulate your compatibility and enthusiasm effectively. It's a two-way street, and a vital step towards not just getting a job, but finding the right fit for your career.

Please not only research the company's brand and facts - research their organizational culture (environment/pace/teams/collaboration/bureaucratic/etc.). Yes, check out Glassdoor and Comparably, but one fundamental "miss" I see before even considering the company is to reach out to current employees and network with them! Don't open with "Can you help me get a job?" Rather, network with them and see if you can add value to them and they to you. Because people love to talk about themselves, ask them if THEY like working at their company. Do they love it? Why? Do they hate it? Why? This gives you a true peek into the culture through the backdoor, and you'll gain a new professional network.

These tips are spot on that the article offers, but I wish it mentioned the common first step that comes before researching the companies. I used to make the same mistake of learning all I could about where I was going to be interviewed or who would be involved. I didn’t know it was key to FIRST research myself. To me that means taking current inventory of my strengths, values, transferable skills that fuel me versus drain me, and other preferences/needs that help me thrive at work. When we skip taking the time to gain this clarity about ourselves, it often costs us time, money, and health. We might sail smoothly through the interview and hiring process, but then end up in a work situation that doesn’t fit well or feel good.