When the wages are decent, and you’re desperate for a job, it’s tempting to accept an offer the minute you receive it.
However, if you don’t want to be miserable for nearly 40 hours a week in a dead-end position that’s filled with toxic people and a negative environment, you’ll need to do your research. The best way to avoid this happening is to get to know all about the company you’ve applied to work for — before you even go in for an interview. These are the most important things you need to know about your potential future employer to make an informed decision as to whether joining them is a good idea.
1. Understand the company’s mission and values.
One of the first things you should know about a company is its mission and core values. These reflect what the organisation stands for and the principles that guide its decisions. Employers value candidates who align with their ethos, so understanding this can help you tailor your answers during the interview. Check their website for a “Mission” or “About Us” section to learn more. Reflect on how your personal values and career goals align with theirs. Mentioning this alignment in your interview shows genuine interest and makes a strong impression.
2. Research the company’s history.
Learning about the company’s history provides valuable context for where they’ve come from and where they might be headed. Understanding milestones, key achievements, or challenges they’ve faced can help you connect with their journey during the interview. Look into when the company was founded, significant changes or expansions, and how it’s evolved over time. Dropping a thoughtful comment about their history during the interview can demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and genuinely care about the organisation.
3. Know their products or services.
Familiarise yourself with what the company offers, whether it’s products, services, or both. Knowing their main offerings and how they position themselves in the market shows that you’ve taken the time to understand their business. This knowledge is especially important if your role will involve representing or selling these products. If possible, try their product or explore customer reviews to gain insight into their strengths and challenges. Bringing this perspective to the interview can help you ask thoughtful questions and show that you’re already thinking about how to contribute to their success.
4. Identify their target audience or customers.
Understanding who the company serves can help you frame your answers to show how you’ll meet their customers’ needs. Whether they target individual consumers, businesses, or niche industries, knowing their audience helps you better understand their goals and challenges. Check their website, marketing materials, or social media to see who they’re engaging with. If your role involves customer interaction, think about how your skills or experience can directly benefit their audience and mention this during the interview.
5. Learn about the industry and competitors.
Knowing the industry the company operates in and who their competitors are can set you apart as a candidate. It shows that you’re not just interested in the role but also in the bigger picture of their business. Being aware of trends or challenges in the industry can help you discuss how you’d approach your role strategically. Research their main competitors, industry news, and recent developments. Mentioning this knowledge in your interview shows that you’re proactive and have a solid understanding of the market they operate in.
6. Understand their organisational structure.
Knowing how the company is structured helps you understand where your role fits within the bigger picture. Are they a large corporation with multiple departments, or a smaller organisation with a more hands-on culture? Understanding this can give you insight into how they operate and what to expect if you join. Look for information about their leadership team, reporting lines, or department sizes. This can often be found on their website or LinkedIn page. Bringing this knowledge to the interview shows that you’ve taken the time to understand how the organisation functions.
7. Familiarise yourself with their culture.
Company culture plays a huge role in job satisfaction, so it’s important to understand their workplace environment. Are they formal or casual? Collaborative or independent? Knowing this helps you determine if the company is the right fit for you and allows you to present yourself in a way that matches their culture. Check out employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Indeed, or see how they present themselves on social media. Mentioning their culture during the interview shows that you’re looking for more than just a pay cheque — you’re interested in being part of their team.
8. Look into recent news or achievements.
Being aware of recent company news or milestones can make you stand out as a well-prepared candidate. Whether it’s a new product launch, an award they’ve won, or a big partnership, knowing these details shows that you’ve taken an active interest in their success. Set up a Google News alert for the company before your interview, or check their website’s “News” section. Bringing up recent achievements in the interview demonstrates your enthusiasm and gives you an opportunity to connect their success with your potential role.
9. Know who’s interviewing you.
If you’ve been given the names of your interviewers, take the time to learn about them. This doesn’t mean stalking their entire career history but reviewing their LinkedIn profiles or company bios to understand their role and background. Mentioning a shared interest or asking a relevant question about their experience can make the interview feel more personal and engaging. Showing that you’ve done this research demonstrates initiative and makes a strong impression on your interviewers.
10. Understand their challenges or pain points.
Every company faces challenges, whether it’s staying competitive, improving customer satisfaction, or navigating industry changes. Understanding these pain points allows you to position yourself as a solution during the interview. It’s a chance to show how your skills can directly address their needs. Look for clues in their job description, recent news, or customer reviews. During the interview, mention your awareness of these challenges and discuss how your experience can help overcome them. This proactive approach shows that you’re already thinking about how to add value to the organisation.
11. Be aware of their values around diversity and inclusion.
Many companies today prioritise diversity and inclusion, and being aware of their stance on these values can help you align with their vision. If this is an important factor for you, research their efforts and initiatives in creating an inclusive workplace. Look for information on their careers page or in their public statements. If you value diversity, mention how it aligns with your own experiences or goals during the interview. This not only shows that you’ve done your research but also highlights shared values.
12. Check their social media presence.
A company’s social media presence can tell you a lot about their personality and priorities. From Instagram posts to LinkedIn updates, social platforms often showcase their brand image, recent activities, and even team culture. Take note of how they interact with their audience and what kind of tone they use. Mentioning something you’ve seen on their social media during the interview, like a recent campaign or event, can show that you’ve engaged with their content and are genuinely interested in their work.
13. Know why you want to work there.
Finally, reflect on why this specific company appeals to you. Is it their mission, their industry, or the growth opportunities they offer? Employers want to know that you’ve chosen them for a reason, not just because you need a job. Think about what excites you most about the role or the company, and how it aligns with your career goals. Being able to articulate this during the interview shows that you’ve put thought into your application and are genuinely invested in the opportunity.
