by Heather Huhman, Glassdoor Blog
Do you have a job interview coming up in the next few days? Then you better keep reading to learn about a secret weapon that will give you a huge advantage during your interview.
Researching employers is one of the best ways to become a stand-out candidate during the hiring process. By putting on your detective hat and investigating potential employers, you’ll discover details about the employer that will better prepare you for any interview.
Now, you’re probably wondering, “Why should I spend time researching employers?” First, company research is the best way to learn about what the company does and what they look for in a candidate. You’ll also be better prepared to answer questions and position yourself as the best candidate.
As you prepare for your upcoming interview, here are seven things you should learn about an employer:
1. The skills and experience the company values.
First and foremost, you should know what the company looks for in a qualified candidate. This enables you to position yourself as the best candidate for the position.
To discover the skills and experience the employer values, read between the lines of their job postings. You can also find out information on the employer’s career page to get an idea of the type of employees they desire. In addition, reach out to current employees who work there and ask them about what their employer values most in the workplace.
2. Key players of the organization.
The key players within an organization are those employees who hold important positions in the company. These individuals can be managers, department directors, and especially the CEO/president of the company.
You can find out who the key players of the organization by reading the employer’s “About” page and employee bios. It’s also a good idea to check out what these individuals say on Twitter and LinkedIn to learn what employees say about the company online.
3. News and recent events about the employer.
When you go into a job interview, it’s always a good idea to be knowledgeable about the company’s latest news and updates.
Most companies have a page on their website dedicated to press releases and events. This is a great source for you to find out information regarding the company’s latest news and updates.
4. The company’s culture, mission, and values.
Job seekers should be able to confidently say they’re good fit for the company’s culture during any job interview. In fact, a Millennial Branding study says 43 percent of HR professionals believe cultural fit is the most important quality job seekers can have during the hiring process.
As you research the employer, pay attention to what’s written on their website regarding the company’s values and mission. You can also learn more about the company culture by following the organization on its social media networks.
5. Clients, products, and services.
As a potential employee, you need to have an idea of the type of work you’d be doing once hired. By having a general idea of who the company’s clients are and the types of products and services are offered, you’ll be more prepared for the interview, too.
To find out the company’s offerings, you can usually find them on the company’s website. You can also read through the company’s blog, case studies, and white papers to give you a better idea of their accomplishments.
6. The inside scoop.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for the job interview, websites such as Glassdoor help job seekers discover the inside details of a company that can’t be found on the employer’s website.
When using websites like Glassdoor, you can typically find information such as salary figures, employee functions and duties, company reviews, details about the hiring process, and more.
7. The person interviewing you.
Finally, you should find out who the interviewer will be. This will give you an advantage during the interview because you’ll have a better chance of connecting with them and sparking a meaningful conversation.
Now it might be a little tricky trying to find out who the interviewer is, but you should be able to locate the person’s name with a little investigation. First, try locating the person’s name from the email you received regarding the interview. If you can’t find any information, reply to the email politely requesting the name of the person who’ll interview you.
Once you acquire the interviewer’s name, do some research on LinkedIn and Twitter. This will help you learn about the interviewer’s background, their position with the company, and even some common interests you both share.