What to Research Before a Job Interview (So You Don’t Crash and Burn)

Job interview coming up? Great! But if your plan is just to “wing it” and let your charm do the talking—you might want to rethink that. In today’s job market, preparation isn’t just about practicing your answers. It’s about knowing the company better than they know themselves (okay, almost). Why? Because research makes you sound confident, interested, and hireable. And it helps you avoid that awkward moment when the interviewer asks, “So what do you know about us?” and your brain turns into a tumbleweed.

Research is the ultimate cheat code. It helps you tailor your answers, align with the company’s culture, and ask the kind of thoughtful questions that scream, “Hire me—I actually care.” Whether you’re a first-time job seeker or a seasoned professional, doing your homework is the best way to stand out. Let’s walk through exactly what to research before a job interview so you feel ready, confident, and maybe even a little dangerous—in a good way.

🏢 What to Research Before a Job Interview: Company Background

One of the first things to research before a job interview is the company itself. But here’s where most candidates blow it—they stop at the homepage. To truly stand out, you need to go deeper. Learn their mission, values, recent achievements, leadership changes, and new initiatives. This shows that you’re not just familiar with the brand—you’re already thinking like part of the team.

When you’re in the interview, specifics matter. Mentioning a recent blog post or congratulating them on a new product launch is a small move that makes a big impression. It signals enthusiasm and initiative—two qualities every employer loves. And if you find a story or mission you genuinely connect with, bring it up! It humanizes the conversation and sets you apart from the “I just need a job” crowd.

✔️ Read the “About Us” page to understand their mission and vibe 

✔️ Check their blog or press section for recent company news 

✔️ Find out if they’ve won any awards or launched new products/services 

✔️ Look at their company values—these often hint at culture-fit questions 

✔️ Bonus: Read reviews on sites like Glassdoor for behind-the-scenes insights

👔 What to Research Before a Job Interview: The Job Role

Another must on your “what to research before a job interview” checklist? --The specific role you’re applying for. The job description is your roadmap—but smart candidates know how to read between the lines. Look for recurring keywords, qualifications, and phrases like “must be comfortable with ambiguity” (translation: chaos reigns). Try to understand the real pain point they’re trying to solve by hiring this position.

Go even further: research similar job titles at other companies. What tools, outcomes, or results do they mention? Those details can help you understand what success looks like in this role—and allow you to mirror the language in your responses. You’re not just repeating the job ad—you’re showing that you understand it.

✔️ Identify the core responsibilities and repeated skills 

✔️ Reframe tasks into STAR story prep (Situation, Task, Action, Result) 

✔️ Look for patterns—what are they really emphasizing? 

✔️ Research similar job titles to broaden your understanding 

✔️ Know what success looks like in that role (and reference it)

🤝 What to Research Before a Job Interview: Your Interviewer

If you really want to impress, part of what to research before a job interview should include your interviewer. LinkedIn is your best friend. Learn about their career path, shared interests, and any content they’ve posted. This isn’t about being creepy—it’s about creating rapport and understanding the person behind the questions.

Knowing who you’re talking to also helps you tailor your tone and questions. If they’re in HR, you might focus more on cultural fit. If it’s a hiring manager, you might ask about performance metrics or current projects. Either way, it shows you came prepared for them, not just the company.

✔️ Search their name on LinkedIn and skim their profile 

✔️ Note their role, background, and any shared connections 

✔️ See if they’ve posted content or been featured in articles 

✔️ Look for shared interests or causes to create a connection 

✔️ Understand their department/team so you can speak their language

📊 What to Research Before a Job Interview: Industry and Competitors

One thing job seekers often overlook when thinking about what to research before a job interview is the company’s position in the industry. Understanding their competitors, market trends, and challenges shows you’re not just applying for any job—you’re interested in this job, at this company, in this space.

For example, if you’re applying to a tech company, bring up a trend like AI adoption. In healthcare? Mention relevant regulatory changes. In finance? Know what’s driving the market. Hiring managers love candidates who can connect their skills to real-world challenges and opportunities.

✔️ Research 1–2 of their main competitors 

✔️ Identify key industry trends that affect the company 

✔️ Use Google News to find recent stories in their field 

✔️ Learn about their customer base or target audience 

✔️ Prep a question or comment about industry developments

💬 What to Research Before a Job Interview: Smart Questions

Finally, one of the most important parts of what to research before a job interview is preparing intelligent, relevant questions to ask. Avoid generic ones like “What’s your company culture like?” (You can find that online.) Instead, tailor your questions to the research you’ve done. This shows curiosity, engagement, and a genuine interest in the role.

Strong questions can also help you decide if this is the right fit. Ask about current challenges, team goals, or a recent initiative you read about. Show that you’ve thought about how you’d fit into the bigger picture—and that you’re evaluating them as much as they’re evaluating you.

✔️ Prepare questions based on their mission, news, or team goals 

✔️ Ask what success looks like in the first 90 days 

✔️ Bring up a recent project or initiative and ask about results 

✔️ Skip “How many vacation days do I get?” (save that for later) 

✔️ Use questions to learn about the company AND show your value

🎯 What to Research Before a Job Interview for Maximum Impact

Anyone can walk into an interview with a smile and a copy of their resume. But the candidates who stand out—the ones who get callbacks and offers—are the ones who came prepared. Research helps you speak the company’s language, anticipate their needs, and position yourself as the best fit before they even ask, “Why should we hire you?”

More importantly, research boosts your confidence, helps you spot red flags, and allows you to have a genuine conversation instead of a scripted Q&A. If you’re serious about landing the role, treat what to research before a job interview as a non-negotiable part of your prep. It’s the easiest way to go from “qualified” to “hired.”

📌 💡 Key Takeaways:

🔍 Company Background: mission, news, values 

💼 Job Role Details: patterns, pain points, success metrics 

🧑‍💼 Interviewers: background, vibe, and shared interests 

🌍 Industry Context: trends, threats, competitors 

🎯 Smart Questions: informed, intentional, and memorable

🔥 Final Call: Don’t let a lack of research be the reason you don’t get the job. A little effort up front leads to massive payoff.

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