Research Your Top 3 Target Companies in Interview Depth

WEEK 3DAY 1TASK 1

Research Your Top 3 Target Companies in Interview Depth

There is a meaningful difference between the research you do when applying to a company and the research you need for an interview. Application research gets you in the door. Interview research makes you memorable once you are there. Candidates who demonstrate genuine and specific knowledge of a company stand out immediately from those who did a surface level read of the About page.

ESTIMATED TIME10 min+10 progress points
WHY THIS MATTERS

There is a meaningful difference between the research you do when applying to a company and the research you need for an interview. Application research gets you in the door. Interview research makes you memorable once you are there. Candidates who demonstrate genuine and specific knowledge of a company stand out immediately from those who did a surface level read of the About page.

BEFORE YOU START

Pick the 3 companies you are most actively pursuing. Open a blank document to take notes as you go.

Step by Step

1
Step 1

Read everything on their website Go beyond the About page. Read their blog, press releases, product pages, and anything they publish publicly. Note their mission, values, and any language they use repeatedly about their culture and priorities. Companies often telegraph what they care about most in how they talk about themselves publicly.

2
Step 2

Research their recent news Search "[Company name] news [current year]" and read the top results. Look for product launches, funding rounds, leadership changes, expansions, new partnerships, or any public challenges they are navigating. Referencing something current and specific in an interview signals a level of genuine interest that most candidates do not demonstrate.

3
Step 3

Read their Glassdoor reviews Look at recent reviews from current and former employees. Note recurring themes about culture, management style, and what employees value. Also note consistent criticisms. This helps you assess genuine fit and ask better questions.

4
Step 4

Research their competitors Understanding who a company competes with and how they differentiate themselves shows business acumen that impresses most interviewers. Search "[Company name] competitors" and read a few comparison pieces.

5
Step 5

Look at what their leadership team is posting on LinkedIn The CEO and department heads often share their priorities publicly. Reading their posts gives you insight into the company's direction from the inside.

6
Step 6

Write 3 specific and genuine reasons why you want to work there Specific means something like: "I read about your recent expansion into [market] and the approach your team took to [specific challenge] is exactly the kind of strategic environment I am looking to contribute to." Generic means: "I love your company culture." Only specific answers land in interviews.

COACHING NOTES

Tips for success

Set up Google Alerts for each of your top 3 companies. You will receive immediate notification of any news, which means you are always current.

Keep your notes organized by company so you can review them quickly in the 30 minutes before an interview.

Interviewers always ask "What do you know about us?" Candidates who give a specific and informed answer consistently move forward more often than those who give a vague one.

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