Research is important. From the shoes you buy to the course you wish to study to the bank account you want to open and to the job you plan on applying for. When preparing for an interview, we often have no idea where to start. One of the most crucial tasks you need to do before having your interview is to do thorough research on the organisation.

Companies expect individuals to have some sort of knowledge on their background and the functionalities of the role you’re applying for. We’ve created a list on how you can go about researching the company before your interview.

Digital Research

• Search engine research

The first step would be to find information about the company through good old Google. All you have to do is search the name of the organisation and voila, you’re in the game! It’s important to note, that this search may yield several results (which can also be several hundred). Researching an organisation via a search engine will provide a variety of reading and viewing options which will primarily give you an overview about what the organisation does. From here, move onto the company’s actual website for a deeper insight into what they do.

• Organisation’s website

As mentioned above, the company’s website will give you everything you need to know about what they do and who they are. A business website is essentially a CV of the business. This is where you will find their aims, mission statements, values and their past achievements and future plans or activities. By reading about this information, you gain a deeper understanding of the role you will be applying for.

• Social media accounts

Ah, social media! Viewing the company’s social media accounts is just as important as its website. The articles they have published, events, campaigns, photos and videos provide great visual information of what the company is involved in and the direction they are heading in. Their social media accounts show you things that are currently happening and what they’re busy with, as well as who they follow and what they re-post will give you an idea of what they identify with. Make mention of what you’ve seen on their social media pages as this will inform them that you’ve done your research.

Criticisms

For your own purpose, read what the general public have to say about the company (e.g. Hello Peter). In addition, you could read what former employees have to say about the company, which is often found under the advertised post on many employment websites. You want to identify the red flags and whether the values the company state on their websites are carried out within the organisation. Having this information will help you make an informed decision on whether their values align with yours.

Direct Contact

Another source of research are the people who currently work for the company. It’s not a common choice but the option is available. You can call the company and speak to someone from the department where the vacancy exists. If employees are open and enthusiastic to share non-sensitive, general information, it exhibits a good sign of a healthy work culture within the organisation.

Market Research

In this day and age, competition is everything. A final step of preparation that can really help you stand out in an interview is highlighting knowledge about the competition space the organisation operates in. This requires understanding products and/or services, target audience or their customer base, as well as those of competing businesses.

By conducting these three forms of research, it will provide excellent preparation for your interview. In addition, they are also a great way to practice research and analytical skills while job hunting which will also be beneficial to you in your professional journey.