Another article I submitted on my quest for a LinkedIn Badge 🙂
This is a comprehensive list of all the areas you could research to land your dream job.
If you don’t have time to do full research, as have applied for every one click apply job on LinkedIn, then as a minimum, check out the interviewer’s LinkedIn and read the latest white paper!
1. Understand the Company’s Mission, Values, and Culture
- Go deep into the company’s website, specifically the “About Us,” “Mission Statement,” and “Culture” pages to understand its core values, mission, and workplace culture. This knowledge allows you to articulate how your personal values align with theirs during the interview.
2. Look for News, Press Releases, and Blog Posts
- Explore recent news articles, press releases, and blog posts to understand the company’s current initiatives, strategic plans, and industry positioning. This insight shows you’re informed about where the company is headed and how it’s perceived in the market.
3. Analyze Industry Trends
- Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within the industry. Use industry-specific publications, reports, and forums to gather this information. Demonstrating awareness of the larger industry context shows your broader interest and understanding of the sector the company operates in.
4. Understand the Role and Its Impact Beyond the Job Description (JD)
- Delve into how the role contributes to the company’s goals and objectives. Be prepared to articulate how your skills, experiences, and being in this role will positively impact the company. Understanding the role’s broader significance demonstrates strategic thinking and a deep interest in contributing meaningfully.
5. Engage with Company Social Media and Online Presence
- Follow the company on social media platforms and engage with their content to get a sense of their brand voice and how they communicate with their audience. Reviewing discussions in online forums or communities can also offer unfiltered insights into the company culture and employee satisfaction.
6. Review Financial Performance and Strategic Direction
- For publicly traded companies, examine financial reports, SEC filings, and investor relations presentations to understand their financial health, strategic priorities, and operational challenges. For private companies, look for funding announcements, venture capital activity, and any available financial data to assess their market position and growth trajectory.
7. Identify Key Leaders and Their Vision
- Research the backgrounds and public communications of the company’s leadership team to understand their vision for the company and the directions they are steering towards. Interviews, podcasts, and public speeches can be particularly revealing.
8. Utilize Professional Networks
- Reach out to current or former employees for informational interviews to gain insider perspectives. Networking events and industry forums can also provide opportunities to learn about the company from those who have firsthand experience.
9. Technical and Product Research
- If applicable, use the company’s products or services to understand their value proposition, user interface, and market positioning. This hands-on experience can inform more nuanced discussions about the company’s offerings during your interview.
10. Cultural Fit and Company Reviews
- Check out Glassdoor, Blind and comparably to get a “behind the scenes” look at the company. Use employee testimonials to gauge the day-to-day work environment and social dynamics of the company. This can help you assess fit and prepare to discuss how you would integrate into their team.
11. Recent Achievements and Awards
- Research any awards or recognitions the company has received to understand their areas of excellence and industry reputation. This can provide talking points to show your admiration and respect for the company’s achievements.
12. Customer and Client Insights
- If possible, gather insights from the company’s customers or clients to learn about their experiences and the company’s market reputation. This perspective can add depth to your understanding of the company’s impact and customer relationships.