{"id":523,"date":"2026-06-13T20:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T20:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T04:06:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T04:06:05","slug":"research-company-before-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Research a Company Before an Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researching a company before an interview is one of those things everyone knows they should do and most people do shallowly. A recruiter can tell the difference between someone who read the About page and someone who genuinely understands the business. Here is how to research at a level that impresses.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Start_With_the_Company_Website_and_Recent_News\" >Start With the Company Website and Recent News<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Understand_Their_Business_Model\" >Understand Their Business Model<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Review_the_Interviewers_LinkedIn_Profile\" >Review the Interviewer&#8217;s LinkedIn Profile<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Look_at_Glassdoor_and_Blind_for_Culture_Signals\" >Look at Glassdoor and Blind for Culture Signals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Know_the_Numbers_if_They_Are_Public\" >Know the Numbers if They Are Public<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Read_next\" >Read next<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#What_is_the_STAR_method\" >What is the STAR method?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#How_long_should_a_STAR_answer_be\" >How long should a STAR answer be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#What_are_common_behavioral_interview_questions\" >What are common behavioral interview questions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Should_I_memorize_STAR_answers_word-for-word\" >Should I memorize STAR answers word-for-word?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-before-interview\/#Get_your_free_resume_review_from_a_real_recruiter\" >Get your free resume review from a real recruiter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start_With_the_Company_Website_and_Recent_News\"><\/span>Start With the Company Website and Recent News<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read the About page, the mission statement, and recent blog posts or press releases. Google the company name plus &#8220;news&#8221; to see recent coverage. Check their LinkedIn company page for updates on hiring, products, and announcements. This baseline takes 30 minutes and prevents obvious knowledge gaps.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand_Their_Business_Model\"><\/span>Understand Their Business Model<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Know how the company makes money. Who are their customers? What problem do they solve? Who are their main competitors? This level of understanding lets you speak to the role in terms of business impact, not just job duties. Interviewers notice immediately when a candidate understands the business versus just the job listing. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/how-to-research-company-before-interview-2\/\">research a company before a job interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Review_the_Interviewers_LinkedIn_Profile\"><\/span>Review the Interviewer&#8217;s LinkedIn Profile<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look up the interviewer on LinkedIn before the call. Note their background, tenure, and what they have worked on. This context helps you have a more relevant conversation and gives you ideas for thoughtful questions. It also helps you gauge their level and what they likely care about in a candidate.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_at_Glassdoor_and_Blind_for_Culture_Signals\"><\/span>Look at Glassdoor and Blind for Culture Signals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Glassdoor and Blind reviews give you insight into what the internal culture is like, what challenges the team faces, and what the interview process looks like. Take individual reviews with appropriate skepticism, but patterns across many reviews are informative. Use them to prepare for culture-fit questions.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Know_the_Numbers_if_They_Are_Public\"><\/span>Know the Numbers if They Are Public<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For public companies, skim the most recent earnings call transcript or investor report. You do not need to become a financial analyst, but knowing the company&#8217;s revenue range, growth trajectory, and strategic priorities lets you connect your work to what actually matters to leadership. It is a rare signal that very few candidates send. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/research-company-culture\/\">research a company&#8217;s culture before you apply<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_next\"><\/span>Read next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list atr-read-next\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/negotiate-in-interview-before-offer\/\">How to Negotiate During the Interview Before Getting an Offer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/ask-about-company-culture-interview\/\">How to Ask About Company Culture in an Interview<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/interview-preparation-checklist\/\">Interview Preparation Checklist: Everything You Need to Do Before the Day<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_STAR_method\"><\/span>What is the STAR method?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is a framework for answering behavioral interview questions by providing context, your role, what you did, and the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_should_a_STAR_answer_be\"><\/span>How long should a STAR answer be?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two to three minutes. Situation and Task together should take 30-45 seconds. Spend the most time on the Actions and always end with a concrete Result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_common_behavioral_interview_questions\"><\/span>What are common behavioral interview questions?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common ones include: &#8220;Tell me about a time you handled conflict,&#8221; &#8220;Describe managing competing priorities,&#8221; and &#8220;Give an example of when you failed and what you learned.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_memorize_STAR_answers_word-for-word\"><\/span>Should I memorize STAR answers word-for-word?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Memorized answers sound robotic. Know your 6-8 strongest stories well enough to tell them naturally. Practice key points, not exact wording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Preparation is the one variable in an interview that you can control completely. The questions a recruiter asks are largely predictable because interviews are structured around a short list of competencies: communication, problem-solving, collaboration, leadership, and adaptability. When you map your experience to those competencies before you walk in the door, you stop improvising answers and start delivering evidence.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After debriefing hundreds of interviews over my career, the single biggest differentiator between candidates who get offers and candidates who do not is specificity. Vague answers about being a &#8220;team player&#8221; or a &#8220;fast learner&#8221; signal that you have not reflected on your own experience. Specific answers with real numbers, real timelines, and real outcomes signal that you know exactly what you have accomplished and can do it again.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research is the second pillar of interview preparation. Most candidates look up the company&#8217;s homepage and stop there. Strong candidates go deeper: they read recent earnings calls if the company is public, review Glassdoor comments from employees in similar roles, and follow the company&#8217;s LinkedIn for news from the past three months. Specific, well-researched questions at the end of the interview signal genuine interest and leave a lasting impression. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/virtual-interview-tips-video\/\">virtual interview tips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_free_resume_review_from_a_real_recruiter\"><\/span>Get your free resume review from a real recruiter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At AskTheRecruiter.com, every resume review is done by a human recruiter with years of hiring experience. You&#8217;ll get honest, specific feedback you can act on right away. No automated scoring, no generic tips.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background\" href=\"\/get-your-resume-reviewed\/\">Get My Free Resume Review<\/a><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"atr-schema-jsonld\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the STAR method?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. It is a framework for answering behavioral interview questions by providing context, your role, what you did, and the outcome.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long should a STAR answer be?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Two to three minutes. Situation and Task together should take 30-45 seconds. 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Go beyond the About page and understand the business, the culture, and the people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[19,25,27],"class_list":["post-523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interview-prep","tag-interview-tips","tag-job-application","tag-recruiter-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=523"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9259,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/523\/revisions\/9259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}