What do you do if you want to impress the interviewer with your knowledge of the company?

Rather than looking for the basics (i.e., company mission, history, values, products, or services), take your information gathering to another level by conducting informational interviews with employees. Learn the internal terminology, current initiatives, and strategic direction of the company. Look at annual reports, press releases, and news articles. It’s even better if you know the company’s competitors and how the company differentiates itself. Additionally, you should ask questions that showcase your knowledge of the company – like company challenges as well as innovations that are on the horizon. Finally, learn the landscape of the industry by following recent news and trends so that you can set yourself apart from other candidates.

Research is incredibly important and you should try to find out as much as possible ahead of the interview (this should go far beyond the company's main pages on their website) however, consider the following: - Don't pretend to know everything - Don't make assumptions - Prepare questions off the back of your research You have the opportunity to interview with somebody who is likely to be able to tell you far more than what you read online. Use your research to ask open ended questions to better understand what you've seen and provide a true reflection on company's mission, developments and challenges.

Find more effective information than your competitors. Here's why: 1) The real search criteria used are usually more than 50% different than the published job description. 2) Company websites/LinkedIn pages describe a company's wins (problems they've already solved) - So they no longer need you to solve that problem. 3) You're not the best Google researcher on the planet, because it's old technology. 4) Publicly available information, including the job description, gives you zero advantage over your competitors.

Some information to research: - The organisation’s history - Their mission, culture and values - Their products / services - Their clients - Their achievements - Recent news stories - Their competitors - Industry trends You should start your search by reading through the organisation’s website. Then scroll through their social media channels. YouTube is particularly useful as it can give you a more visual idea of the organisation. It is also a good idea to look up the organisation’s name on Google News to see if there are any news stories about them. Google a keyword search “press releases” followed by the company name and will show the most recent news stories shared by the company.

Go beyond the company website. Research recent news, press releases, and industry insights. Show you understand their current situation, not just their history. This depth demonstrates genuine interest in their specific journey, setting you apart from generic applicants.

Why it matters: Employers want to see you understand their products/services. This shows genuine interest and strategic thinking. How to impress: Research their offerings. Explain how they solve customer problems and compare to competitors. This showcases initiative and potential to contribute to their success.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the company's products or services. Understanding what they offer and how they differentiate themselves in the market is crucial for showcasing my interest and suitability for the role.

Unleash your inner industry expert! Researching the company's competitors shows initiative and strategic thinking. Here's how: Map the Market: Who are the company's main competitors? Understand their strengths and weaknesses. Find Your Company's Edge: What makes this company unique? How does it stand out from the crowd? Anticipate Challenges: What are the industry's potential threats? How is the company positioned to handle them?

It's important to analyze the company's competitors to gain insights into the industry landscape. This demonstrates to the interviewer that I understand the broader context in which the company operates.

Research the company's culture and values, as this gives a better understanding of what it would be like to work there. It also allows me to tailor responses during the interview to reflect how I would fit into the organization.

Research the company's culture through social media, employee feedback, and community involvement. During the interview, highlight the cultural aspects that align with your values to demonstrate your interest in joining their team. By showcasing your understanding of their culture, you can impress the interviewer and convey genuine interest in joining their organization.

Reflect on what's most important to you in an organization you would work for (right down to the team and leaders this company employs) and target questions based on these things. You can ask questions like "describe how you demonstrate the company values in your interactions with employees" or "how would your employees describe your commitment to work-life integration?" Ask the tough questions - framed in a professional way - in order to get the information you need as you evaluate this opportunity as a fit for you - or not.

At the end of the interview, it is common practice for interviewers to ask the candidate if they have any questions. It’s always better to ask something rather than to demur. This shows that you were engaged in the preceding conversation and are still interested in the role. It may provide an opportunity to show off any additional knowledge you may have. For example, you could refer to a recent news story or company announcement. Before your interview, prepare a list of questions that you want answered. Be flexible and bear in mind that your question may change slightly based on the interviewer. You can build question related to: 1 - The role 2 - Company or the interview

Always be prepared with thoughtful questions that reflect an understanding of the company's goals and challenges. This not only shows interest in the role but also helps me assess whether the company is the right fit for me.

Before the interview, Ensure to follow up on any recent news or developments related to the company. This demonstrates that I'm up-to-date and genuinely interested in what's happening within the organization.

Following up with a thank you email not only shows good manners, but it also helps to distinguish you from the other job applicants. There are three kinds of follow-up emails you can send after the interview: 1 - Immediately after the interview 2 - Another follow-up if you don’t hear back 3 - A “check-in” email to asking to stay in touch for the purposes of networking Subject line ideas 1 - Thank you for your time today 2 - Follow-up regarding (position title) 3 - Thank you, (Interviewer's name) 4 - Checking for updates: (position title) application 5 - Thank you (Position title, your name).

IMPRESS Interviewers with this slick trick: When you are answering their questions, you can kick off an answer with: I know as a company your future goals are to focus on X. I have actually done that in the past 2 roles I have had blah blah blah and talk about your RESULTS/METRICS. Talk about it and end on a high note that makes them agree with you- say something like,"I am excited to work on these goals with you. Did you have any other questions about how I achieved X and how it would work for this company?" It's great, they love it and you know what- you kind of took the lead. KNOW your results and achievements ahead of time and match it up with what the company is about-- moving forward- not their old news. That'll kill ya.

Additionally, consider highlighting any personal connections or experiences I have with the company. Whether it's being a loyal customer or admiring their work from afar, sharing these insights can further showcase my genuine interest in joining their team.