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The importance of researching about the company before the interview
We all know already how essential it is to have an attractive resume and LinkedIn profile nowadays if you want to be found by recruiters, right?
If a recruiter selects your CV, what happens next?
The next step is to get ready for the interview!
At this point in the selection process, we must redouble our attention, especially when we are talking about an international career. Getting an interview does not mean you have already got the job, however, your chances of getting the desired position have increased.
You are probably asking yourself now, “Where should I redouble my attention when preparing for a job interview?”
In addition to studying the job position and observing where your skills and strengths match with this role, it is essential that you also know furthermore and research about the company where you applied your resume.
Why should I research the company before an interview?
I will highlight the main points that will help answer this question.
So, with all that clear, now another question comes:
What essential information should I research about the company?
One of the primary information you need to know is: what the company does.
Knowing what the company does is mandatory, and this research is very important for your interview preparation. You can access the company’s website to research and understand:
– Products or services offered
– Mission, Vision and Values
– Key management members such as managers, directors and CEO
And if possible, it is also important to research and understand about:
– The company’s culture
– The target audience of the company
– Mainly competitors
– Actions, events in which the company participates and invests
You can find this additional information on the company ‘s social networks. About competitors, actions, and events it is worth searching on Google and other relevant websites.
Other company information worth researching
– Qualifications and skills that the company values
It is vital to understand what the company is looking for in a candidate, especially if your skills and experience match it. This understanding will allow you to focus on your strengths regarding the position you applied for.
To do this, carefully read the job description and understand the company in detail. During your preparation for the interview, try to map your strengths considering the skills valued by the company so that you can make these points clear during the interview. A great way to bring this is by using examples of previous professional experiences.
If you have any contacts within the company where you applied for, get in touch to help you understand the characteristics that the company values. If you don’t have any connection, look for LinkedIn connections or testimonials from employees and former employees on sites such as Glassdoor.
– Meet the interviewer
Knowing your interviewer can bring you a good advantage. This information will help you better understand the interviewer’s profile. Supposing it is a recruiter, manager, or director, this information can help you understand the interviewer’s profile in more detail, and contribute to a more natural interview. In addition, this information can help you identify yourself with the interviewer, making the conversation flow more easily and naturally.
Usually, recruiters inform you who will interview the candidate, so LinkedIn is an excellent source for looking at information about that person or people. If they don’t inform you, you can ask the company for this information.
– Try to get some clue on what questions the interviewer might ask you
It may seem absurd for you to guess what questions the recruiter may ask you during the interview. However, I can tell you one thing: It is possible to have an idea of what questions the interviewer may ask you.
Usually, the recruiters ask questions based on the job position’s skills, and that are also aligned with the company’s culture. That’s why it is essential to know more about the company and map your skills in line with the role and the company’s culture. This will allow you to get an idea of possible questions and answers.
In addition, another tip is to visit Glassdoor website, as already mentioned here in the text. Beyond testimonials from employees and former employees who evaluate their companies, the website also provides testimonials from candidates describing their interviews and some of the questions asked.
Regarding technical questions, it is worth making a checklist of the main technical assignments that the role asks so you can have an idea of the answers you can give during your interview.
Should I memorize everything about the company?
It is essential to highlight your skills and professional experience during the entire interview, as well as showing that you know the company where you applied your resume.
Recruiters look not only for a match between the skills required for the role and the candidate, but for someone who will accomplish their tasks, collaborate with the company, and grow together. So, this person must be aligned with the organization’s culture and know what the company does.
Therefore, researching and knowing more about the company will give you more knowledge and more security during your interview. You don’t need to know everything, nor do you need to memorize it. You need to understand what is essential to know about the company and show the interviewer that you prepared adequately for that interview. The recruiter needs to know you want not only to get a position but to prosper along with the company.
By Rodrigo Coutinho, Coordinated by Rita Costa
