How to Research a Company Before Your UX Job Interview
Maximizing Your Preparation Efforts for a Successful Interview
As you embark on your job search journey, it's essential to equip yourself with a solid understanding of the companies you're applying to. Beyond the usual Google search, there are proactive strategies you can employ to dive deeper into a company's culture, products, and values. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best practices for learning about a company before the interview, helping you stand out as a well-prepared and informed candidate.
"Successful interviews start with well-informed candidates. Knowledge is your key to unlocking opportunities." - Research Bookmark
Why Learning About the Company Matters
Before we delve into the strategies, let's emphasize why understanding a company is crucial:
Demonstrates Genuine Interest: Researching a company showcases your genuine interest in the position and the organization, signaling that you're not just looking for any job.
Helps Tailor Your Responses: Armed with knowledge about the company's products, culture, and values, you can tailor your responses to interview questions more effectively.
Empowers You to Ask Smart Questions: A well-informed candidate asks insightful questions during the interview, indicating a proactive and thoughtful approach.
Strategies for In-Depth Company Research
Now, let's explore the strategies that go beyond a basic Google search to help you truly understand the company before the interview, illustrated with examples:
1. Employee Research:
Explore LinkedIn Profiles: Dive into the company's employees' LinkedIn profiles, including the manager you'll potentially work with. This gives you insights into their backgrounds, expertise, and career paths.
Example: You're interviewing with ABC Marketing, and you discover that the Marketing Manager, John Smith, has a background in digital marketing and has been with the company for five years. This knowledge can help you tailor your responses to align with his expertise.
Identify Common Connections: Look for common connections in your network who work or have worked at the company. These connections can provide valuable insider information.
Example: You find that an old college friend is currently working at ABC Marketing. You reach out to them for insights into the company's culture and any tips for the interview.
2. Informational Interviews:
Set Up Informational Interviews: Reach out to current or former employees for informational interviews or coffee chats. This allows you to gain an insider's perspective on the company's culture and work environment.
Example: You connect with a former employee of ABC Marketing through LinkedIn. You set up a virtual coffee chat, during which they share their experiences working at the company and offer valuable advice for your upcoming interview.
Prepare Questions: Before the informational interview, prepare thoughtful questions about the company, its values, and the role you're applying for.
Example: You prepare questions like, "What do you think sets ABC Marketing apart from its competitors?" and "Can you share insights about the company's approach to innovation?"
3. Industry Research:
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. This knowledge showcases your dedication to your field.
Example: You've been following industry publications on marketing and can discuss recent developments in marketing trends during the interview.
Competitor Analysis: Understand the company's position in the market by researching its competitors. This context can help you ask relevant questions during the interview.
4. Product and Service Knowledge:
Use the Product or Service: If possible, interact with the company's products or services. This firsthand experience can provide valuable insights and talking points during the interview.
Example: You interact with ABC Marketing products, gaining insights into their product’s functionality.
Read Customer Reviews: Explore customer reviews to understand the company's reputation and how its products or services are perceived in the market.
Example: Before your interview with a ABC Marketing, you read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction with their products and services.
Company review on platforms like Glassdoor: Explore company reviews from former and current employees, along with information about the salary ranges as well as interview tips for respective roles.
5. Company's Social Media and Publications:
Follow the Company: Stay updated with the company's social media channels to get a sense of its latest news, achievements, and culture.
Example: You follow XYZ Pharma on LinkedIn and see that they recently celebrated their team's achievements, including a significant breakthrough in a new drug development project.
Read Blogs and Publications: Explore the company's blogs, whitepapers, or publications to understand its thought leadership in the industry.
Example: You discover a series of blog posts on XYZ Tech's website discussing emerging tech trends, which indicates the company's commitment to innovation.
Recommended Resources for Job Seekers:
Research Bookmark - Try Research Bookmark’s custom UX search engine to find UX jobs. Use the discount code RBM23 during checkout.
Book: "The 2-Hour Job Search" by Steve Dalton - Learn efficient job search strategies, including company research.
Job boards for junior roles - check out this post on our LinkedIn page on job boards that you can check out for junior UX roles
Networking: Utilize professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to connect with current and former employees for insights. Learn how to effectively network in the UX field by registering for our upcoming webinar.
As you prepare for your interviews, may these strategies serve as your guiding light to becoming a well-informed and confident candidate.
Best regards,
The RB Team