Researching the company is essential for any interview process. It gives you a better idea of what the company does, its culture, and what you can expect if you were to get hired. Understanding these things will help you make a better decision about whether or not the job is right for you. This article will discuss how to research a client before an interview. We’ll look at what research methods you should use, what information you should be looking for, and how best to present the research that you have done.
Why Is Doing Research Essential?
There are a few reasons why research is essential before an interview.
- It will help you better understand its culture and what they stand for.
- So you can determine if the company is a good fit for you.
- There may be questions about the company during the interview, so research is a great way to prepare.
Supposing Is Good, But Finding Out Is Better.
You can’t just say things you assume are true during an interview. You must research the company thoroughly to make educated assumptions and back them up with data or research. This way, you can convince the employer or interviewer that you are interested in working for the company and that you are the perfect candidate for the position.
What You Need To Do...
There are several research methods that you can use to research a company.
Search for the company online
This is the most obvious way to do your research and is a great way to start. By looking at the company’s website, you can learn about its products or services, mission and values, and target audience. You can also find out where they’re located and get a sense of their size.
Know more about the position they offer
It’s essential to have a good understanding of the job that you are applying for. Read through the job description carefully and research any industry-specific terminology or concepts which will come in handy during your interview. Connect with current and former employees. If there are any current or former employees you can reach out to, it could be beneficial to get their insights on the company.
Read news articles about the company
Another great way to learn about your client is to read articles about them in the news. This can give you a sense of their recent developments and their financial performance. It can also help you understand their industry and any significant trends.
Check out the company's social media accounts
Many companies have social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Checking out their profiles can give you a sense of how they interact with their customers, what they’re interested in, and who they are as a company. You may also discover that there are groups or forums related to their products or services on these sites where you can ask questions.
Find customer reviews
Sometimes companies will have reviews and testimonials from their customers on their websites. You might find comments about specific products or services, or you can read general feedback about the company itself. These can help you get insight into what it’s like to work with them (both good and bad), and they may also give you ideas for questions to ask during your interview.
Find recent press releases
It can be about events like winning an award or launching a new service. These can be hard to find since you’ll want to look for reasonably current ones instead of outdated ones, but they’re often worth digging into. Especially if you’ve asked your client key questions during your interview, reading about what the company has been up to can give you valuable information recently.
Read through their blog
Companies often have a blog to discuss their products, services, and industry trends. This can be an excellent resource for research because it’s usually up-to-date and written by the company itself. You can learn about their perspective on specific topics and get an idea of who they are as a company.
Check their youtube channel
Many companies will have their own Youtube Channels. Here, you can find out what the company is doing or saying online. You may find promotional videos or even interviews with executives that can give you insight into the company’s culture and how they interact daily.
Research their competitors
Research the company’s competitors as well. This can give you an even better understanding of the industry and how they compare against one another. Understanding the competitive landscape can help you better understand the client’s position, which can be invaluable during your interview.
Websites That You Can Use For Your Client Research
In addition to the research methods mentioned above, you can also use several websites for research. Some of these include:
Google can be an invaluable research tool. Search for the company name, and you’ll find a wealth of information about them, including their website, news articles, customer reviews, and more.
If you’re looking for research articles or academic studies about the client, Google Scholar is a great resource. It’s a search engine that indexes research papers and scholarly journal articles on various topics.
LinkedIn can be another valuable research tool. Check out the company profile to learn more about its background, vision and mission statement, products/ services, and a lot more.
Hoovers
Hoovers is a research tool specifically for researching companies and industries. You can find key financial information, industry news, company profiles, and more.
Glassdoor
This is an excellent resource for researching salary ranges, company reviews, and interview questions.
CrunchBase
This website provides detailed information about companies in the technology industry, including financial news, research reports, and press releases.
Owler
Owler is another excellent resource for researching technology companies. It offers a variety of tools like competitive research, market intelligence, and research reports.
Indeed
Indeed is a great resource for research as it provides job postings, salary information, and reviews of potential employers.
Doing research before an interview requires dedication, but it can be advantageous. It shows the client that you are invested in their success and allows you to have a more informed conversation during the interview. With research, you can come into the meeting with a good understanding of the company and its market, giving you an edge over other candidates. Make sure you research each client thoroughly before the interview so that you can make a strong impression and land the job!
