If you are wondering what to do before an interview, you’ve come to the right place. First, I want to commend you on thinking about preparing instead of “winging it”! It is so important to go to an interview prepared, and it will ensure you stand out amongst other candidates. You’ll be better informed and be able to ask better questions to express your interest!
What to Do Before an Interview
Follow these five steps to make the most of your research and to best prepare yourself for the interview!
- Visit the company website and look for specific information
- Find the company, supervisor, and colleagues on LinkedIn
- Look at the Google Reviews
- Scour social media
- Find the company on Glassdoor
- BONUS TIPS!
1. Visit the company website and look for specific information
This may seem obvious, but the best place to begin researching a company before an interview is on the company website. If you didn’t already refer to it during the application process, begin by looking for the company’s mission and vision statements. It is important that your values align, and these two statements will also provide you with information on the company’s goals. You can depend on at least one interview question where your knowledge of this information will be very helpful.
Depending on the type of organization you are interviewing with, they may have their strategic plan online. A strategic plan outlines long and short-term goals and benchmarks for achieving them. By knowing the organization’s areas of focus, you’ll better prepare yourself for the interview and ask better questions regarding the position.
When you are on the company’s website, locate as much information as possible about the department or team that you would be a part of should you be offered the position. Take notes of individuals’ names, their titles, etc. You’ll be able to use this information later for interview follow-up and additional pre-interview research on LinkedIn.
2. Find the company, supervisor, and colleagues on LinkedIn
After collecting information from the company’s website, I recommend going to LinkedIn next. On LinkedIn, you’ll see updates from the company that highlights recent accomplishments, initiatives, projects, etc. This information can be very helpful in identifying what is important to the company and current projects.
Once you’ve found the company’s LinkedIn profile, look at the profiles of the hiring manager, team leaders, and colleagues in the department. Write down a couple of fun facts, note publications, professional achievements, etc. Due to my online research before an interview, I was once able to ask a College Dean about his recent research publication on logistics. Asking a specific question about his research was very interesting for me and fun for him to share additional information. I saved these questions for our lunch meeting, and it kept the conversation flowing nicely.
3. Look at the Google Reviews
Almost every business makes a Google Business Profile. It is free and a wise investment of time due to the vast amount of Google searches. By looking at an organization’s Google Business profile, you can gather much information. If you wonder what to do before an interview, don’t miss the reviews on Google, as they can be very telling!
Reading about others’ experiences with an organization can be extremely informative. If offered a position, you will be able to tell whether or not the environment would be a good fit. Are the reviews positive? What do people like about the organization? If there are negative reviews, do they seem founded? What are the complaints, and did the company respond to try to rectify the situation?
While on Google, I also like to look at photos. They can be very helpful in understanding the work environment and the emphasis, or lack thereof, that is placed on professionalism. A company’s culture is a big factor in one’s job satisfaction for many people, and photos by providing a small glimpse.
4. Scour social media
While LinkedIn is a great social media resource, I also encourage you to look at Facebook and Instagram. Since these two platforms are focused more on the end consumer, you will get a lot better idea of the company’s brand and how they interact with stakeholders. Once again, you’ll likely be able to determine the company’s latest projects, initiatives, and focus. Form questions for the interview panel around some of the content you see.
5. Find the company on Glassdoor
Finally, I’ve saved the best tip for last. If you’re wondering how to research a company before an interview, don’t miss the opportunity to use Glassdoor. You will be able to read reviews from past and current employees and see interview questions that other candidates were asked. Glassdoor can be a wealth of information for you as you prepare for your interview.
BONUS TIPS: What to Do Before an Interview
Questions for the Hiring Manager
This bonus tip is one you won’t want to miss! Before your interview, please brainstorm a list of great questions for the interview panel or hiring manager. It is important to have a list of questions that demonstrate how thoroughly you have thought about this opportunity and how the position and the company might be a great fit for you! If you want help forming your list of questions, don’t miss this great blog post, “Job Interview Questions to Ask.“
Prepare Interview Stories and Examples
One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to have five great examples of your work prepared in the form of stories. Because this is so important, I have devoted an entire article to help you prepare stories and examples for an interview.
Gather Items for your Interview
If you come to an interview empty-handed, you are missing opportunities! I have written a great article about what to bring to a job interview. Consider the position and the company and gather the necessary items to make you stand out amongst other candidates by demonstrating interest and attention to detail!
Are you prepared for your interview? I offer interview prep sessions!
You’ve worked so hard to get the interview! The hours invested in the application process and writing a resume and cover letter have paid off well! But, now, the big unknowns of the interview stand before you. Don’t worry! I can help! There are several keys to a successful interview and a career coaching call will give you the tips and strategies you need to be confident, prepared, and land the job offer! Stop wondering what to do before an interview and get the help you need to confidently own the room!
Let’s prepare for your interview!
