Everyone knows that before an interview you should always ensure you research the company as thoroughly as possible. Not only will this increase your chances of getting hired, it can also help you to decide whether this is the right company for you!

But what separates good research that informs your preparation from mindlessly reading from their website verbatim? The interviewer does not expect you to know everything about their company however potential employers are always keen to know what appeals to you about their organisation, and some reassurance that you have a genuine interest in working for them.

Follow our 5 key steps below to ensure to you have this covered.

Step 1: Visit the Company Website

It goes without saying that the best place to start your research is the company website. Here you will be able to find out about the organisation’s history, values, and work culture. It is a mistake to think that having a quick look at their home page will be enough, you will need to look at the whole website if you want to impress your potential employer with your knowledge. Don’t forget to check out the company blog, this could be a goldmine for information and give you an insight into the company voice and what topics are currently important to them.

Step 2: Scan Social Media

After you’re done researching the company’s website, head over to all of their social media accounts. The chances are they will be using various platforms and may post different content on each, so make sure you visit them all. Usually you will be able to access these from the company website. This is a good way of seeing how the company wants to communicate with their audience and what image they want to portray.

Step 3: Get an Insiders Perspective

www.glassdoor.co.uk can be a great source of information when you are looking for a new role. This is a website where employees and former employees can anonymously review companies. You will find both good and bad reviews, it is worth bearing in mind that people leave bad reviews a lot more than good ones.

Glassdoor also has a section on interview experiences – this is a great way to get a feel for what your interview may be like, whilst identifying and preparing for any common questions that are likely to come up.

Step 4: Speak to your Recruitment Consultant

Remember that your recruitment consultant can provide a lot of guidance outside of what can be found online. It is likely that this will not be the first time they have worked with the client and they should be able to give you information about interview styles and what the client looks for. They will be able to make you aware of the interview process, the types of questions you may be asked, and challenges previous candidates have faced. Don’t be afraid to ask your consultant questions, they are there to support you and will be happy to assist wherever they can.

Step 5: Understand the Industry

Once you have researched the company it is a good idea to look into their industry. We suggest looking at industry specific news and checking out their competitors to give you a real insight and a competitive edge in the interview.