How To Research A Company? Job Interview Essentials.
Step by step guide to researching a company.
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On to this week’s question!
Q: How to research a company for a job interview?Looking for a few practical steps.
This is a great question.
As a hiring manager, I have observed that many individuals fail to conduct proper research before applying to a company. For this reason, I am hoping to make this guide a complete one-stop resource for researching companies for job interviews.
Before we dive deeper into the topic, here are some popular myths related to company research.
Debunking Company Research Myths
Browsing the company’s website is enough: Most job applicants believe that reviewing a company's website is sufficient preparation. However, the website only scratches the surface of what there is to know.
Only the company's success matters: it's not just about its successes but also its challenges and failures. By understanding these aspects, job applicants can gain a more comprehensive view and ask thoughtful questions during the interview.
You don't need to understand the industry: Some people think that understanding one company is enough, but it can be really helpful to know about the industry as a whole.
Bigger companies have more information available: Even though bigger companies may have more info out there, it's still totally doable to do some good research on smaller ones too.
Company culture is irrelevant: Understanding a company's culture is essential for a good fit. It's not just about the fun stuff like office perks and pictures. It's about the values, norms, and working style that make up the organization.
You Should Only Research Your Specific Role: While it's important to understand the job you're applying for, also consider how your role fits into the larger organization. Who would you be working with directly? What departments would you interact with?
Company Research is Solely for the Interview: Many believe that researching a company is only to impress during the interview. However, it's also for the candidate to determine if the company aligns with their career goals, values, and work style.
You Only Need to Know About the Present: While understanding the current state of a company is crucial, knowing its history and future plans can give you a broader perspective. This can help you connect your role to the company's larger trajectory.
Negative Reviews Mean a Bad Company: Just as with product reviews, one negative review does not define a company. Look for patterns in employee feedback instead of focusing on individual comments.
You Should Memorize Everything: You are not expected to know every detail about the company. The goal is to have a solid understanding and genuine interest, not to be an encyclopedia. Researching a company should prepare you to have a meaningful conversation during the interview, not to recite facts and figures.
So why do we need to research a company before an interview?
The simple answer is “to give better answers to the questions asked.”
Consider the conversation below between the Hiring Manager and the Job Applicant:
Hiring Manager: "So, why do you want to work for our company?"
Job Applicant: "From my research, I understand that your company values innovation and is committed to developing sustainable solutions. This aligns with my own passion for creating technology that can help the environment. For instance, I noticed your recent project on harnessing solar energy in underdeveloped regions. I was part of a similar initiative during my time at XYZ, and I'd be thrilled to contribute my experience and learnings to such projects here. I see it as an opportunity to both fulfill my career aspirations and contribute to a cause that's personally important to me."
This type of response illustrates a deep understanding of the company's mission and shows that the candidate is not just interested in the job but in how their role can contribute to the company's broader goals.
What specific information should I gather about the company?
There is a lot that can be discovered about a company but for the sake of a job interview focus on the following 10 points:
1. Skills and Experience needed:
Before your interview, dig into what the company values in their ideal candidates. This will help you highlight your relevant skills and experiences during the interview.
Tools you can use:
Company's official website (job postings, career page)
LinkedIn (job postings, company page)
Glassdoor (job postings, interview experiences)
Example:
Hiring Manager: "Can you tell me about your experience with project management?"
Job Applicant: "Certainly! I noticed in the job description that project management is a key skill for this role. In my previous job, I managed a team of five and successfully led the completion of several major projects on time and within budget."
2. Company’s Business:
Get to know the company's products, services, and target customers. This will show your interviewer that you're genuinely interested and have taken the time to understand their business.
Tools:
Company's official website
Industry reports and market research websites
Business news websites
Example:
Refer to the example above in the “So why do we need to research a company before an interview?” section.
3. Know Your Interviewer:
If possible, find out who will be interviewing you. Learning about their role and background can help you build a meaningful connection during the interview.
Tools: LinkedIn
Example:
Here you will shine when you ask the question to the interviewer.
Job Applicant: "I saw on LinkedIn, Bob, that you've been with the company for over 15 years. Could you share what has kept you here for so long?"
4. Mission Statement:
Understand the company's mission statement. This will give you insight into their motivations and values.
Tools: Company's official website (About Us page)
Example:
Hiring Manager: "Why do you want to work for our company?"
Job Applicant: "I'm really inspired by your mission to make technology accessible and user-friendly for everyone. I believe in this mission and would love to contribute to it."
(Tip: Keep it short and to the point)
5. Company’s “Growth” History:
A basic understanding of the company's past can help you appreciate its growth, challenges, and accomplishments.
Tools:
Company's official website (About Us page)
Business news websites
Wikipedia
Example:
Again here you will shine when you ask the question to the interviewer.
Job Applicant: "I read that the company started as a small startup and has grown significantly over the past decade. How has this growth affected the company culture?"
6. Know The Competition:
Being aware of the company's top competitors shows your understanding of the industry and your preparedness for the interview.
Tools:
Industry reports and market research websites (Gartner)
Business news websites
Example:
Hiring Manager: "How do you see our position in the market?"
Job Applicant: "You're a leader in the tech industry, but you also have strong competitors like X and Y. I believe your commitment to customer service sets you apart."
7. Understand the Unique Selling Proposition (USP):
Knowing what sets the company apart in the market can help you demonstrate your understanding of their position and your genuine interest in the role.
Tools:
Company's official website
Product reviews and comparison websites (Capterra)
Business news websites
Example:
Hiring Manager: "What do you believe sets our company apart from its competitors in the market?"
Job Applicant: "One thing that stands out about your company is your unique approach to design. I believe this is a major factor in your success and sets you apart from competitors."
8. Know about their culture:
Understanding the company's culture will give you an idea of the kind of workplace they have and the type of candidates they're looking for.
Tools:
Company's official website (Career page, Blog)
Glassdoor (company reviews)
Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Example:
Hiring Manager: "How would you describe your ideal work environment?"
Job Applicant: "I thrive in a collaborative and innovative environment. I noticed from your social media that your company values these qualities, which really resonates with me."
9. Know the Leadership:
Research the key players in the company. Understanding their roles can give you additional insight into the company.
Tools:
Company's official website (About Us page, Team page)
LinkedIn
Business news websites
Example:
Hiring Manager: "What do you know about our company's leadership and how do you think their vision impacts the company's direction?"
Job Applicant: "I read an article recently by your CEO about the future of the industry. It was very insightful. The CEO also emphasized the importance of a positive and collaborative company culture, which I believe is crucial for a company's success. I'm excited about the possibility of working under such forward-thinking leadership."
10. Recent news. One point is sufficient:
Grab one point (any point) from the company’s latest news.
Tools:
Company's official website (Newsroom, Blog)
Google News
Business news websites
Social media platforms (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
Example:
Again here you will shine when you ask the question to the interviewer.
Job Applicant: "I saw in the news that your company is launching a new product line. How does this new initiative align with the overall strategy of the company and the product I am interviewing for?"
Some Popular Business News Websites
Bloomberg
Forbes
Business Insider
The Wall Street Journal
Financial Times
CNBC
Reuters
MarketWatch
Fortune
The Economist
I researched Atlassian on the above 10 points and here’s what I found:
1. Skills and Experience Needed:
Atlassian values skills such as software development, project management, and team collaboration. They also appreciate experience with their products like Jira and Confluence.
2. Understand the Company's Business:
Atlassian is a leading provider of collaboration software for teams. They have products that help all kinds of teams to plan, track, and release software.
3. Know Your Interviewer:
You can use LinkedIn to find out who might be interviewing you at Atlassian. You can learn about their role, and background, and even see if you have any common connections.
4. Grasp the Mission Statement:
Atlassian's mission is to "unleash the potential of every team." They believe in the power of teamwork and aim to enhance collaboration with their products.
5. Learn the Company's History:
Atlassian was founded in 2002 by two college friends, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar. They started with a credit card and a dream and have grown into a global company with over 7,000 employees in 13 countries.
6. Identify the Competition:
Atlassian's competitors include other software companies like Microsoft (with their Azure DevOps product), GitHub, and GitLab.
7. Understand the Unique Selling Proposition (USP):
Atlassian's USP is their suite of tools designed to enhance team collaboration and productivity. They offer a range of products that integrate well with each other, providing a comprehensive solution for teams.
8. Get a Feel for the Culture:
Atlassian values openness, teamwork, and authenticity. They believe in being an open company with no bullshit, playing as a team, and building with heart and balance.
9. Know the Leadership:
The co-founders of Atlassian, Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, are still actively involved in the company. You can learn more about the leadership team on the Atlassian website.
10. Stay Updated with Recent News:
Atlassian regularly posts news and updates on its blog. Recent news includes the launch of new features in Confluence and their commitment to remote work with their TEAM Anywhere policy.
The Tools I used to filter the above information
Company Overview: Atlassian's About Page
Tool: Company's official website
Company Culture: Atlassian on Glassdoor
Tool: Glassdoor
Recent News: Atlassian News
Tool: Company's official website
Competitors: Google Search for Atlassian Competitors
Tool: Google Search
Products and Services: Capterra for Atlassian
Tool: Capterra
Financial Health: Atlassian on Crunchbase
Tool: Crunchbase
Industry and Market Position: Atlassian's About Page
Tool: Company's official website
Client Base: Atlassian's About Page
Tool: Company's official website
Company Leadership: Atlassian's Leadership Team Page
Tool: Company's official website
Company's Mission: Atlassian's Brand Page
Tool: Company's official website
📖 Further Reading
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Sincerely,
Vibhor 👋
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Vibhor Chandel
Brilliant insights Vibhor. Love the example from Atlassian.