You’re in a job interview and the interviewer asks, "What do you know about our company?" This question is not only a test of your interest and enthusiasm, but also of your research and preparation skills. How can you answer it confidently and impressively? Here are some tips to help you ace this common but tricky question.
Before you go to any interview, you should do some homework on the company you’re applying to. You can use search engines to find out basic information such as the company’s mission, vision, values, products, services, history, culture, achievements, and goals. You don’t need to memorize every detail, but you should have a general overview of what the company does, why it does it, and how it does it. This will show that you’re serious about the opportunity and that you care about the company’s purpose and direction.
When responding to the question "What do you know about our company?" in a job interview, it's essential to demonstrate your knowledge of the company. Here's a structured approach to crafting a strong response: 1. Research the Company: - Start by thoroughly researching the company's background, mission, values, products or services, industry position, recent news, and any other relevant information. - Explore the company's website, press releases, annual reports, social media profiles, and industry publications to gather insights. 2. Understand the Company's Culture and Values: - Pay attention to the company's culture, values, and work environment. Understand what sets the company apart and why it appeals to you as a potential employer.
Knowing the basics is a good start, but to really stand out from the crowd, you need to dig deeper and show that you’ve done some thorough and thoughtful research. You can use search engines to find out more about the company’s industry, competitors, customers, challenges, opportunities, trends, and innovations. You can also look for news articles, blog posts, social media posts, podcasts, videos, webinars, or any other relevant content that the company has produced or featured in. This will show that you’re curious and informed about the company’s context and environment.
Knowing the company is not enough, you also need to know how your role fits into the company’s strategy and objectives. You can use search engines to find out more about the specific department, team, or project that you’re applying to, and what skills, qualities, and expectations are required for the role. You can also look for examples of past or current projects, achievements, or challenges that the role has been involved in or faced. This will show that you’re relevant and qualified for the role and that you understand its value and impact.
Knowing the company and the role is important, but you also need to know how to communicate your knowledge effectively and concisely. You can use search engines to find out some tips and best practices for answering interview questions, such as using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) or the CAR method (challenge, action, result) to structure your answer, or using keywords and phrases that match the company’s tone and style. You can also look for some sample answers or questions that you can use as inspiration or practice. This will show that you’re confident and articulate in your answer and that you can adapt to the company’s culture and communication.
Knowing the company and the role is not only about answering questions, but also about asking questions. You can use search engines to find out some smart and insightful questions that you can ask the interviewer at the end of the interview, such as questions about the company’s vision, values, culture, goals, challenges, opportunities, or feedback. You can also ask questions that are specific to the role, such as questions about the expectations, responsibilities, resources, support, or development. This will show that you’re interested and engaged in the conversation and that you’re eager to learn more and contribute to the company’s success.