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Company research for job seekers

When you’re job hunting, it’s important that you’re up to speed on the company you’re applying to or attending an interview with. Whilst this is a simple enough requirement, it’s not really clear on exactly what kind of information you should read up on.

Where to search

The best place to start is on the company website. It will give you lots of information on what the company does, where it operates, its culture and what it’s like to work there. You’re also likely to learn about their ambitions for the future, which are always a good thing to bring up in interviews and applications.

You should also take a look at the company’s Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. These channels will give you a good idea of the issues that are important to them and some insight into the human element of the company.

Websites like Glassdoor are also a great way to get an insight from the other end of the spectrum. Current and former employees speak anonymously about what they think about the company so you can find out if it’s a good or bad place to work.

Remember:

  • You’re not expected to know everything there is to know about the company. The key is to get a good understanding of the business main operations and values.
  • Use your understanding of the company, to help you shine by giving relevant examples of your experience.
  • Be careful not to overdo your company insight. It’s great to ask a question about a project the company is working on, but don’t tell them what they could have done better, or ask commercially sensitive questions.