Here's how you can research and understand a company before an interview.

Before an interview, research a company by visiting its website to understand its mission, values, and products/services. Explore the "About Us" and "News" sections for recent developments. Check LinkedIn for company updates and employee insights. Read reviews on Glassdoor to gauge company culture and employee satisfaction. Analyze their social media presence for current initiatives and public perception. Finally, review any relevant industry news or competitors to understand the broader market context. This holistic approach ensures you're well-prepared and can tailor your responses to align with the company's goals and culture.

1. Visit the Company’s Official Website: Explore sections like "About Us," "Mission and Values," "Leadership," and "News" to gain insights into the company’s history, culture, and achievements. 2. Understand the Industry: Familiarize yourself with industry trends, challenges, and competitors to grasp the company’s position and strategy. 3. Network with Employees & Analyze Social Media Presence: Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to learn about their experiences and get interview advice. 3. Read News and Press Releases & Understand Products and Services: Stay informed about the latest developments with their offerings 4. Prepare Thoughtful Questions: Develop insightful questions based on your research

You can check the company's blog for news related to your position or department. Look for milestones, awards, or special events that the company has celebrated. Additionally, keeping an eye on popular news or industry trends can provide interesting topics to discuss during your interview. As Steve Jobs once said, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do." Showing your knowledge and enthusiasm for the company's achievements can set you apart as a passionate and well-informed candidate.

See if the Founders or executive leadership have been interviewed on any podcasts. This can give you a depth of information not found on the company website or from blog posts, which you should also read. Also, check Glassdoor reviews and try to connect with a relevant employee on Linkedin. This will give you more presonal insights not found elsewhere.

Website, news about the company or talking to someone you know in the company are the many ways you can prepare for the interview. However, focus on explaining how you can fit that role is most important.

One thing I have found really helpful is actually the social media handles of the Company, as you tend to understand the public image of the company on the ground level. One such instance is a company (Not naming) which spends multiple Dollars on its advertisement investment , however if you read the customer reviews on handles, you will understand the value it serves to the customers. A company who is not keeping the customers happy, is never going to be a good place to work at. ?

Stay informed about the industry you want to work in by using ChatGPT to gain insights and check trends, news, mergers, and updates on major players. Understanding the current landscape and potential future developments will enable you to showcase your knowledge during interviews, potentially impressing the interviewers and even catching the attention of senior management.

When evaluating a company's financial health, consider the following factors: Market share: Examine the company's position within the industry, including its competitors and market share growth. Debt-to-equity ratio: Analyze the company's financial leverage, understanding their ability to repay debt with equity. Liquidity: Determine the company's capacity to meet short-term financial obligations, evaluating metrics such as current ratio and quick ratio. Efficiency: Assess how effectively the company utilizes its assets and manages its operations, through measures like return on assets (ROA) and inventory turnover. Cash flow: Inspect the company's cash inflow and outflow, ensuring healthy cash flow levels for smooth operations.

Check out a company’s social media presence. Their online presence can convey aspects of their work culture, how much they value their employees and their consumers. It can also shed light on what social issues they have taken a stance on.

Reach out to current and former employees that work at the company you are interviewing at leveraging LinkedIn. Review sites like Glassdoor to review feedback and comments from former employees. The best way to land a job is through your network, so continue to make connections and reach out to individuals.

It's important to take in a full view of the information to understand a company before an interview. Speaking with current and former employees is a great way to prep for an interview, but you also most consider their bias on either side. I see this feedback or advice as one input you can gather as you prepare. Researching through people, sites like Glassdoor, and the company's website are a start. You can also take the time to review news articles, features about the company, and even public financials as relevant. It's important to review and take in relevant information, but avoid going overboard ahead of an interview where you get consumed. Focus on what's important. Leave enough time to self-reflect also, know your own story.

From my experience, it's better to ask current employees about how's the life in that company, of course the feedback will be mixed, would be ideal to ask as many people as possible.