get to know the company - useful tips for preparing for an interview.

Preparation is the a key for a successful job interview. To be the front-runner at the end of the selection process, you need to be able to present not only your own skills and experience but also a thorough knowledge of the company you want to work for. In this article, we give you detailed guidance on how to prepare professionally and confidently for your interview, with a particular focus on how to research the company and how to determine how well you would fit in with the job.

1/ learn about the company.

Perhaps one of the most important steps in your preparation is to get to know the company for which you are being interviewed. This is also important because it will help you make a good impression and prove your interest in the opportunity. This process consists of 2 important steps, getting to know the background of the company and its market position. 

a. research into the company background.

The easiest way to start researching a company is to visit the company's official website. Here you can learn about the company's history, mission and values, which will help you decide how well the company fits with your values.

Then check what news has been published recently about the company and how it has been covered in the media. The latest news about the company can also be an excellent conversation topic during the interview.

Last but not least, take a look at the company's social media profiles. The content shared here will help you get a better understanding of the company culture and company life. Most of the time, Instagram or Tiktok posts can give you an authentic insight into the latter. 

b. market position and competitor mapping.

Once you know the company's main scope of business, you can easily map its market and its competitors. Find out about the specificities of the segment so that you can better understand the factors that influence the company's operations.  

With a few clicks, you can also find mandatory company data in the directory databases, as well as information on competitors, which will give you an idea of the company's market position compared to its rivals. It's also worth taking a look at them (and their website) at this point, so that you know what the strengths of the competing companies are, and to compare what the company you are interviewing for is stronger at.

2./ learn about the company culture. 

Company culture plays a very important role in deciding how well a job is suited to you. It will influence your day-to-day work and how you feel in the workplace in many ways. 

a/ company values and mission.

You can find out about the company's main values from official company documents and the mission statement. These are usually also available on the company website. 

b/ employee opinions.

You can find reviews of companies from current or former employees of the company on several platforms (e.g. Glassdoor, Google Company Profile, jobs.com). Employee experiences can tell you a lot about the internal running of the company and the working environment.

c/ initiatives.

Look into the company's recent initiatives and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. A company's CSR activities can show how committed it is to society and the environment. If they support causes that are important to you, there is a good chance that the company could be a good choice for you in terms of corporate culture.

3./ prepare for the meeting. 

Whether your first interview with a company representative is in person or online, it's always a good idea to think through the usual interview questions with the company information you've already obtained in mind. 

a/ demonstration of skills and experience.

During the interview, it is worth thinking about your skills in the light of the professional experience that may be most relevant to the organization (knowledge of a particular industry, knowledge of systems and technologies, experience of international cooperation, etc.). With this in mind, think about the few specific points you think are important to highlight about your professional experience.

It is not only experience that should be emphasized, but also skills/abilities that make you suitable for the position. These should be illustrated through actual examples, even if you do not have any work experience as a fresh grad. In the latter case, look for situations, even during your studies, in which you have been able to use those skills.

It is also worth looking at the job advertisement and thinking about the skills you have compared to the list of skills required, and giving examples to support the match. In many cases, the interview questions will focus on one of these skills.

b/ proactive questions to the interviewer.

During your preliminary research, you must have had questions about the company or the position. The interview will give you the opportunity to raise them with the company representative. Think about what information might help you to get to know and understand the company better. For example, you could ask about the company's future plans or current market trends, all of which will demonstrate your interest in the organization. 

c/ emphasis on the first impression. 

The importance of first impressions in an interview cannot be overemphasized. This is true online, but even more so in person. That's why your appearance must be a credit to your prospective employer. Dress appropriately for the culture of the company and the type of interview. If you are unsure about the dress code, opt for overdressing rather than underdressing. 

The other is punctuality. Whether you show up in person or join online, always be punctual. You should wait a few minutes rather than give a bad impression by being late. Plan your route to the venue in advance and even leave early to make sure you get there on time. Should you be late, be available by phone so that you can notify your contact person.