How to research a company before your interview

Generic candidates research the company for five minutes. Strong candidates spend thirty and walk in sounding like they already work there. You don't need hours — you need the right five things.

The five things to find

1. What they actually do — the product, the customers, how they make money. Read the homepage and one product page, not just the “About” blurb.
2. The values they screen for — usually on a careers or culture page. These map directly to behavioural questions.
3. Recent news — a launch, funding, a leadership change. One specific, recent fact shows genuine interest.
4. The interview loop — Glassdoor, Blind, or the careers page often reveal the rounds and question style.
5. Smart questions to ask back — the interview is two-way, and your questions are scored too.

Turn research into answers

Don't hoard the research — use it. Weave one specific fact into your “why this company” answer, align a behavioural story with a value they list, and prepare two questions that show you understand their challenges (not “what's the culture like?” — ask about something specific you read).

Thirty minutes of focused research is the highest-leverage prep there is. It improves your answers, your questions, and the impression that you actually want this job and not just any job.