How to research a company for an interview
The interview is going well. You’re sitting up straight and your answers are coming out the way you practiced. Then the interviewer smiles and asks, “So, what do you know about us?”
Your mind goes blank. You know the job title. You know the company name. And that’s about it.
This question comes up in almost every interview. Interviewers can usually tell within a few seconds who looked into the company and who didn’t. Knowing a bit about them shows you want this job, not just any job.
Research helps you too. An interview goes both ways. While they’re deciding if they want you, you’re deciding if you want to work there. A little digging can show you things the job post leaves out.
The good news is this doesn’t take days. Depending on how much time you want to put in, 5 to 30 minutes is usually enough.
Step 1: Start With the Company Website
The company’s own website is the easiest place to start. Everything there was written by the company, so it shows you how they want people to see them.
Read the About Us Page
Look for the About Us page. Most companies share their mission here. That’s a short line about why the company exists and what it’s trying to do. You might also see a list of company values, like “be honest” or “put customers first.”
Try writing the mission in your own words. If you can explain it to a friend in one or two sentences, you understand it.
Learn What They Sell or Do
Next, click on the Products or Services page. Your goal is to be able to say what the company does in one sentence, and who their customers are.
For example: “They make scheduling software for small dental offices.”
If they have a free app, trial, or demo, try it out. Using the product even for a few minutes gives you something real to talk about.
Reread the Job Post and Careers Page
Go back to the job post and read it slowly. Highlight any skills or tasks that show up more than once. Those are usually what the company cares about most.
Then check the Careers page. Companies often share their benefits, team photos, and how they describe their work culture there.
Step 2: Look Up the People You'll Meet
Your interview invite usually lists who you’ll be talking to. If it does, look each person up on LinkedIn.
Start with their job title. Are they your future boss, someone on the team, or someone from HR? This tells you what kind of questions they might ask. A manager may ask more about your skills, while HR may focus on things like your schedule and pay.
Next, look at how long they’ve worked there and what they did before. You might find something you have in common, like the same school or a past job in the same field. That can be an easy, natural thing to bring up.
Keep it to work info only. If you come across their personal social media, leave it out of the conversation.
No names in your invite? Just ask the recruiter or hiring manager. Something like “Could you tell me who I’ll be meeting with?” is a normal question, and it shows you’re preparing.
Step 3: Catch Up on Recent News
Companies change fast. A new product, a new boss, or a big announcement can all come up in your interview, so it helps to know what’s been going on lately.
Start on the company’s own website. Look for a page called Newsroom, Press, or Blog. This is where they share news they’re proud of.
Then search the company name on Google News. Stick to stories from the last 6 months or so. Older news may not be true anymore.
Here are some things to watch for:
- A new product or service
- New funding or a big new client
- A new CEO or leader
- Layoffs or a team being cut
You probably won’t need to use or say most of this in the interview, and that’s okay. It still helps you get to know the company better. And if the interviewer brings up something recent, you won’t be caught off guard. Just keep in mind that bad news like layoffs isn’t something you should bring up yourself.
You can also check the company’s LinkedIn page and social media. Recent posts show what they’re working on right now.
Step 4: Read What Employees Say
The company website shows you what the company wants you to see. Employee reviews show you what it’s like to work there.
Check sites like Glassdoor and Indeed. People who work there now, or used to, leave reviews about things like pay, managers, and work-life balance.
When you read them, look for patterns. One angry review might just be one person having a bad day. But if lots of people say the same thing, like “great team” or “too many late nights,” it’s probably true.
Keep an eye out for warning signs too. If many reviews mention people quitting all the time or managers who don’t listen, that’s worth thinking about. It might change whether you even want the job.
Just like with the news, this is for you. Don’t bring up reviews in the interview.
Step 5: Find Out How They Handle Remote Work
If you’re interviewing for a remote job, it’s smart to learn how the company works when people aren’t in an office together. Not every “remote” job works the same way.
Start by checking if the company is fully remote or hybrid. Fully remote means everyone works from home or wherever they want. Hybrid means you might need to go into an office some days. Some remote companies also plan team trips once or twice a year, so look for that too.
Next, look at time zones. A company might be remote but still want you online during certain hours, like 9 to 5 Eastern. These are sometimes called “core hours.”
The job post often lists the tools the team uses, like Slack, Zoom, or Notion. If you’ve used them before, that’s a good thing to mention.
Some remote companies share a public handbook online that explains how they work. GitLab is a well-known example. Try searching “[company name] handbook” to see if one exists.
Last, check where they can hire. Some remote jobs are only open to people in certain states or countries.
Knowing all this shows the interviewer you’re ready to work remotely, not just excited to work from home.
Put It All on One Cheat Sheet
Once you’ve done your research, put the most useful parts on one page. This keeps everything in one place, so you’re not digging through tabs and notes right before your interview.
Make a new cheat sheet for each company. If you’re applying to lots of jobs, this stops you from mixing up details, like calling a company by the wrong name or bringing up the wrong product.
Here’s what to include:
☐ What the company does in one sentence
☐ Their mission or a value you connect with
☐ Who you’re meeting and their role
☐ Two recent news items
☐ How your skills match the job post
☐ Questions you want to ask
Keep it short. You want to be able to glance at it in the few minutes before your interview starts.
How to Use Your Research in the Interview
Your cheat sheet is full, but notes alone won’t get you the job. What counts is how you use them when you’re talking to the interviewer. The goal is to work in what you learned in a natural way, so you sound prepared without sounding rehearsed. Here’s how to do that with the questions that come up most.
Answering “Why Do You Want to Work Here?”
This is where your research pays off the most. A good answer has a simple formula:
Something specific about them + why it connects to you + what you’d bring
You can also mention what makes them different from similar companies.
Here’s an example:
“I like that your app is built just for small dental offices instead of trying to serve everyone. I worked at a front desk for two years, so I know how messy scheduling can get. I’d love to help other offices fix that problem.”
Answering “What Do You Know About Us?”
Give a short summary in your own words, then add one recent detail. For example: “You make scheduling software for dental offices, and I saw you just launched a new text reminder feature.” Keep it under a minute.
Asking Questions at the End
Most interviews end with “Do you have any questions for us?” Your research makes this part easy. Here are a few ideas:
- “I saw you launched [product] this spring. How has that changed things for this team?”
- “How does the team stay connected across time zones?”
- “What does success look like in the first 90 days?”
- “How are new hires trained?”
That last one is a polite way to ask about something you saw in reviews, without bringing up the reviews.
Don’t Overdo It
Bring up what you learned naturally, when it makes sense. Don’t list facts like you’re giving a school report, and don’t memorize answers word for word. You want to sound like you, just well prepared.
How to Research a Company FAQs:
Still have questions about how to research a company before an interview? Here are quick answers to the ones people ask most.
How do you research a company for an interview?
Start with the company website, then look up the people you’ll meet on LinkedIn. After that, check recent news, read employee reviews, and learn how they handle remote work. Put what you find on one cheat sheet.
What should you look for when researching a company?
Look for what the company does, its mission, recent news, who’s interviewing you, and how the team works. Also reread the job post so you know which skills they care about most.
How can I research a company for free?
Everything in this post is free. The company website, LinkedIn, Google News, and review sites like Glassdoor and Indeed are all you need.
How long does it take to research a company before an interview?
Anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how much time you want to put in. Later interview rounds may be worth a bit more.
Should I research a company before a phone screen too?
Yes. A quick look at the website and job post is usually enough for a first call.
How does company research help me answer “Why do you want to work here?”
It gives you real details to talk about. Instead of “It seems like a great company,” you can mention something specific you like and how it connects to you.
Should I bring notes to a video interview?
A short cheat sheet nearby is fine. Just don’t read from it.
Do I need to research a company again for a second interview?
Yes. Check for any new news and look up anyone new you’ll be meeting.
What’s Next?
Now you know how to do research about a company. It only takes a few minutes, and it can make you calmer and help you stand out in your interview.
Before the big day, make sure your cheat sheet is ready and close by. Take a quick look at it right before the interview starts so the details are fresh in your mind.
And remember, you’re interviewing them too. Pay attention to how they answer your questions and how the conversation feels. The goal isn’t just to get any job. It’s to find one you’ll be happy in.
Good luck!