Researching the Company
Interviewing Skills | Office of Career Services

A very important step in the interviewing process is to research the prospective company or organization. This is often overlooked and, according to employers, is one of the primary reasons candidates are rejected. It is not unusual for a hiring manager to ask you any or all of the following questions during an interview:

• What do you know about our company?
• Why do you think you would be a good match for our company?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• What do you know about our products, (or services provided), our industry or our competitors?

If you cannot answer these questions effectively, you will likely be dropped from the candidate pool, as you have not demonstrated to the employer that you are really interested in working for this company or in this industry. In addition, it is often the knowledge you gain through research that can set you apart from other candidates interviewing for the same position.

Some companies are easier to research than others for a variety of reasons, such as size, age and ownership. For example, you will likely find more information on a large, established, publicly owned company than on a smaller, recently established, privately owned company. In rare circumstances, a company may be so small that you will not be able to locate any information at all. In this instance, you may ask the company directly for any printed materials that may be available to assist you in preparing for the interview.

Things You Should Know Prior To The Interview

• Is the company publicly or privately owned?
• How large is the company? How many people does it employ?
• What is the history, philosophy and background of the company?
• What products or services does this company provide?
• Where is the company located? Its headquarters? Is it local or does it have regional, national or international affiliations?
• Who are the major competitors?
• Is the company a market leader or follower?
• What is the company/organization’s mission and goals?
• What is the organizational structure and culture?
• What does the company say about itself? Consult company literature, brochures and advertisements.
• Do you know anyone who works there? What do they have to say about the position and the organization?
• What types of changes, trends, societal and economic factors are occurring or impacting the industry? What impact will this have on the organization and your field?

Your knowledge need not be limited to these areas alone, and it should be reflective of any issues the company or industry currently faces as well. If the company has been in the news lately for any reason, be sure to have some idea what the publicity is about in case it comes up during the interview. You want to show your interest in both the industry and the company.

Resources For Company And Industry Research

Following is a general list of resources to explore that may assist you in locating important information about companies and organizations you may be interviewing with. Many of these resources are available at local libraries, the Internet, the Office of Career Services and through employers directly.

• Directories come in many varieties and sometimes are related to a particular industry or profession. Ask your reference librarian for assistance.
• Company annual reports.
• Company literature including brochures and pamphlets.
• Newspapers.
• Business periodicals and trade journals.
• The Internet. The Office of Career Services has Internet access for your use. Many helpful bookmarks have been designed to make your search easier. We also have a handout on how to use the Internet in your job search.
• Professional associations and publications. You can obtain information about how to contact various associations through the Encyclopedia of Associations, which is available in most resource libraries.
• Chamber of Commerce.
• Roosevelt University’s Office of Career Services Alumni Network.
• Company employees, friends, neighbors, relatives, etc.

Remember that current local, national and world events DO impact your life and your job. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you understand the important connection between current events and the position/organization/industry in which you are interested. A well read, well-informed candidate simply makes a better impression because he/she has more to offer than a one-dimensional individual. Read magazines, newspapers, The Wall Street Journal, the business section of the Chicago Tribune or other local newspapers, and other industry specific publications so that you can talk about current events with confidence.