The Importance of Research for Interviews

Let’s talk about the power of research in job interviews. Today, many people are looking for work, and companies are actively seeking the right candidates. However, the hiring process has changed significantly over the last 10–15 years. Employers now expect job seekers to be proactive and well-informed.

If you’re preparing for an interview, understanding the company beyond its job description gives you a strategic advantage. Companies don’t want passive employees; they want motivated individuals who take initiative and bring value. To use a car analogy, companies are looking to hire drivers, not passengers.

This blog will guide you on:

✔ How to research a company for an interview
✔ What to research about a company before an interview
✔ How to use your research effectively

Let’s dive in!

Start by understanding how big the company is, where its headquarters and offices are, and how long it has been in business.

📌 Questions to ask yourself:

• Is this a small startup, a growing mid-sized business, or a large corporation?

• Where are their key offices, and do they have international locations?

• When was the company founded, and by whom?

• What values and culture did the founders establish?

A company’s history and growth can give you a deeper insight into its mission and long-term direction.

Companies don’t operate in isolation. Understanding their environment helps you speak the company’s language and highlight your value.

🔍 What to research:

• Industry Trends: What’s happening in the industry? Are there new regulations, tech innovations, or disruptions?

• Direct Competitors: Who are their main rivals? What are each company’s strengths and weaknesses?

• Company Positioning: What makes this company stand out in the market?

• Customer Base: Are they serving consumers (B2C) or other businesses (B2B)? What types of customers do they target?

📢 Pro Tip: Use industry blogs, analyst reports, and competitor websites to build your perspective.

Suppose the company is public or significant enough in terms of revenue or people. In that case, another great source is the company's 10-K report is an excellent source of information on a company, providing, among other details, a description of the business and industry, risks, a summary of legal proceedings, and financial statements. It is both a quantitative and qualitative review.

💡 Why this matters: It shows you understand the bigger picture, not just the job, and can tailor your answers to how the company competes and serves its audience.

Being aware of recent developments shows you’re genuinely interested and well-informed.

📰 Where to look:

• Company press releases, newsroom pages, and investor updates

• Business news sites like TechCrunch, Bloomberg, or industry-specific outlets

• Google News alerts for ongoing tracking

📌 What to track:

• Acquisitions or Mergers: These could mean growth, rebranding, or new roles opening up.

• Awards or Recognition: Shows you’ve done your homework and value their success.

• Leadership Changes or Strategy Shifts: Great material for asking informed questions.

💬 Example Hook that can be used in the interview: “I read about your recent expansion into the APAC region. That aligns with my past experience launching services internationally.”

For public companies, reviewing annual reports and earnings statements can provide insight into their financial stability.

📊 Look for:

• Is the company profitable and growing?

• Have there been layoffs or major restructurings?

• Are they investing in new markets, technology, or hiring?

Understanding a company’s financial health can help you make informed career decisions.

Going beyond company values on the website can help you determine if this is a place you’ll enjoy working.

💬 Where to explore:

• Employee Reviews: Use Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed to spot patterns in employee satisfaction or concerns.

• Social Media: Look at how they celebrate wins, highlight employees, or talk about work-life balance.

• Informational Chats: If appropriate, connect with current/former employees to get real insight.

📌 What to assess:

• Leadership style

• Flexibility (remote/hybrid options)

• Inclusion & diversity efforts

• Professional development opportunities

💡 Why this matters: Understanding culture helps you prepare questions like: “How would you describe the team’s communication style during remote collaboration?”

📌 Key sources:

1️⃣ Company Website – “About Us” page, leadership, press releases 2️⃣ Social Media – LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube for updates and culture insights 3️⃣ Google & News Sites – Forbes, Bloomberg, TechCrunch for financial and industry news 4️⃣ Glassdoor & Employee Reviews – Real insights into work culture and leadership 5️⃣ Competitor Websites & Customer Feedback – For a full picture of the market

📢 Pro Tip: Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Grok, Gemini, Perplexity, NotebookLM and many other public LLMs to summarize large reports or find trends in reviews!

I personally like to load information into Google NotebookLM and work with it there.

Why should you research before the interview? Because it sets you apart from the average candidate.

🎯 Here’s how it helps:

✔ Stronger Answers – You can link your background directly to the company’s current goals and values. ✔ Smarter Questions – Ask about recent news, company initiatives, or leadership approaches. ✔ Confidence – You’ll walk in with a clear sense of what they care about. ✔ Stronger Rapport – Referring to specific achievements or cultural aspects helps build trust.

Doing company research before an interview helps you:

✅ Make a great first impression
✅ Answer questions with confidence
✅ Show initiative and enthusiasm
✅ Determine if the company is the right fit for you

By gathering the right information, preparing strategic questions, and using smart conversation hooks, you’ll stand out as a candidate who’s not just qualified—but truly engaged.

Good luck with your interviews! 🎯