How To Do A Deep Dive Before The Job Interview
Researching a company's workplace values, culture and reputation is a critical part of your job search.
One Google or Perplexity search can make all the difference in finding your next best workplace fit. I learned this recently while doing a deep dive on a new company I was considering.
I had been through several rounds of Zoom interviews and an extensive writing test (for which I was compensated, thankfully). Once I made it to the final in-person interview, I not only did research on the person with whom I would be meeting (a company co-founder), but also looked for any comments by former employees to see what people had to say.
I did this for two reasons:
a) I like to know the background of the employer and the employees I’m meeting in case we have any commonalities (educational, professional, geographical, philanthropical or otherwise) I can lean into during our conversation. It’s also a great way to formulate a list of questions for the interview.
b) Demonstrating the research you’ve done during an interview signals to others your enthusiasm, professionalism, and respect for the opportunity.
c) Companies will always tell you they want you to bring your authentic self to the workplace. But the only way to know if that’s true is if you look at company reviews. When someone takes the time to write a review or recap of their time at a certain employer, chances are there’s some credence to it, even if the post is a cluster of sour grapes. If enough people are saying the same things about the same place, it’s a huge red flag, and should be considered in your internal deliberations.
Why does all of this matter? Knowing a company’s culture and reputation is important to your ability to fit in and, ultimately, succeed in your role. Even if you feel you have no other choice but to accept a job in this grueling job market—where opportunities are scarce and the number of people applying is plentiful—you still want to be sure you know what you are signing up for before setting foot in the door, so you can prepare yourself accordingly.
Here are some things to consider as you navigate your next job search:
How to Research a Company
Start with the company website: Review the “About Us” page for mission statements, history, executive bios, and news, and make note of any recent changes you may want to ask about during your interview.
Check social media channels: Company profiles on LinkedIn, Threads, and Instagram offer real-time updates and insights into culture and brand values.
Read news articles and press releases: Search for recent events, updates and major company moves to spot trends and get clued into the company’s financial stability. For public companies, you can also look at annual reports, 10-K filings, and business databases like Crunchbase. External news can also surface potential red flags and help you make an informed decision.
Review employee profiles: Look up current employees and alumni to assess backgrounds, career paths, and the leadership team, as well as first-hand insight into the company’s culture, advancement opportunities and the interview process.
Check company reviews: Platforms like Glassdoor, Comparably and Indeed host employee reviews, ratings, and feedback about work environment, management style, and satisfaction. Here is where you’ll find candid perspectives on the workplace culture and company leadership.
As I researched the company I mentioned earlier, I learned it had been cited on a few company review sites for microaggressions against Black women. That gave me pause, especially since the company had a lot to say about its continued support of DEI.
During my interview, I asked the co-founder about their DEI policies and if the recent backlash in corporate environments had led them to consider making any changes. The answer I received was, well, a bunch of word salad. And in that moment, I knew that even if they did offer me the role, I most likely would not have been happy there. So it didn’t exactly sadden me when I learned about a week later that they were moving on to another candidate. IMHO, I probably dodged a bullet.
What questions do you ask during job interviews to learn more about the company you’ve set your sights on? Please share below in the comments and, if you’re currently job hunting, good luck with your search!