You sent out some job applications already. Now you hope to hear back from them soon. Once you get an invitation to a job interview, your need to inform yourself about the company. This is easier said than done. Here are a few ideas how to boost your knowledge about your potential employer:
The company’s homepage is the go-to source of information
The company homepage is a great source of information. Normally, this is the obvious choice and the place where most job seekers turn to.
Have a look around. Some firms have a company blog. Here you can learn a bit more about the company than just the facts.
Another worthwhile read may be the section about current events. Typically, you find information about industry fares or new product launches here. This are great topics for small talk before or during the interview.
Get insights from employees
Personal conversations with employees of the company you are interviewing at are the silver bullet. Current or former employees can give you valuable information. They know the working atmosphere and company values.
The only problem is that you might not know anybody who works there. Here is what you can do:
- Don’t be embarrassed to ask your family and friends. Maybe they know someone who knows someone who used to work there.
- Check your alumni network. People with a similar education to yours are more likely to have contacts to a company you are applying for.
- If you are on LinkedIn, check if any of your contacts on LinkedIn works for this company already. The picture below details how to do this on four easy steps.
Get a feeling for the company through their social media presence
Companies use social media to get out information about products or events. They even use social media for recruiting. Most companies are present on one or more of the following social media platforms:
Follow your possible future employer to learn interesting facts about it. But be aware of your own social media presence if you want to give a good impression.
Read reviews about your potential new employer
Employee review sites are an interesting place to read opinions about your potential new employer. There are several employee review sites. See if you find the company on one of these:
Read the company’s annual report for financial insights
If you are interested in financial data or other key performance indicators read the annual report of the company. The annual report details how the company performed in the past year.
Collect information during the interview
All the previous suggestions are ideally done before the interview. The day of the interview is a great opportunity to gain valuable information, too. Ask as many questions as possible, and check out this blog post to not miss any red flags.