how to do company research before interview

In the next 10 minutes, I’m going to show you exactly how to research a company for your job interview.

You want to go into the interview feeling ready and confident, and you don’t want to embarrass yourself.

That’s what good pre-interview research can do for you.

But what’s the fastest and easiest way to get enough information about a company to avoid interview mistakes and make a great first impression? And what exactly should you be researching?

Keep reading for everything you need to know…

How to Research a Company for a Job Interview

1. research the company website.

Go to the business’ website and find out about what products or services they provide. What do they sell and how do they make money? Why might the company’s clients choose them?

Learn anything you can about the company culture , too. Click buttons like “About Us” or “Meet Our Team” when you’re on the company website.

Then visit their “Careers” section to see what jobs are posted in general. Make sure you’re familiar with the job description and get a feel for the other jobs they’re hiring for.

Finally, see if the company has a mission statement. Knowing the company’s mission will help you understand what they care most about, so that you can show these traits in the job interview.

This is the longest step in the process of researching a company, but it’ll give you a ton of information you can use in your answers, and knowing more about them will help you explain why you wanted to apply for the job .

2. Search Google News for Recent Company Developments

This is a relatively short step, but still important for how to research a company before your interview.

As you conduct company research, go to Google News to read some recent developments and press releases, so you can get a sense of what the company is working on.

Find a piece of good news, a recent change, acquisition or new project, or anything else you can find about the company online.

You’ll notice more info available for large companies, but you may still find valuable news articles and stories for smaller companies, too.

Your goal in this research, for each of your target companies, is to find one action they took recently that you can ask about in the interview.

For example, you’d ask, “I read you recently did ___, can you tell me more about that?”

They’ll be impressed that you know the latest news about them.

Most job seekers are asking boring, generic questions in the interview (like, “What is your company’s mission?”)

So if you can ask a question about a recent news story, it’s going to set you apart.

Here are 27 more unique questions job seekers can ask in the interview.

That brings me to one other piece of job search and career advice: Never ask a question that could be answered on the company’s website.

3. Review the Company’s Social Media Accounts

Next, research the company’s Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social profiles to see recent news you might have missed on Google News in step 2. You might see pictures of employee outings too, etc. You’ll get a great sense of the company culture and the type of people who work there.

This will give you more fuel and ideas for questions you can ask in the interview too.

For example, you could ask, “I saw on Facebook you recently had a company charity event. Can you tell me about what else the company does to facilitate team-building and/or charitable giving in the community? It’s great that those are a part of your company’s values. That’s something I’m looking for in an employer.”

You can also look for the company on YouTube. Do a quick search and see if they have a channel.

More and more companies are sharing video content, so this is a worthwhile step in terms of how to research a company very thoroughly before you talk to them.

You might also see their office in a video which will make you more comfortable when you arrive for an interview. You’ll feel like you’ve been there before.

4. Competitor Research

If you really want to impress the company with how much you researched them before the interview, head over to similarweb.com , type the company name or website into the search bar, and then find the button that says “similar sites”.

Click it and you’ll see companies that are similar to the company you’re interviewing at. Try to find a few key differences and similarities, so you can show you understand the whole marketplace and industry, not just the company you’re interviewing with.

If you do this, most hiring managers will be VERY impressed.

If you’re interviewing in a new industry this becomes even more important. But it’s a great step for anyone who wants to research a company before a job interview.

5. Research Employees on LinkedIn

Search on LinkedIn to find employees of the company. Better yet, find people in the same type of group or role that you’re interviewing for. What type of background do they have? You might spot a trend for the type of person a company likes to hire.

This research will help you understand what the company looks for in the hiring process, so that you’ll be better prepared for questions they throw at you in the interview.

LinkedIn isn’t just a great job search resource , it’s also a powerful research tool. If you don’t already have an account that’s active and up-to-date, you should definitely make one. If you’re not convinced, here are 5 reasons you should use LinkedIn .

6. Research the Hiring Manager

Next, use LinkedIn to research the hiring manager’s background.

How long have they been with the company?

What’s their educational background?

What previous jobs have they worked to get to the point they’re at?

This is a great way to prepare to pass your interview . You might even see something you have in common with the hiring manager, such as a sport you played in college.

And if not, you’ll still know more about them than most candidates going in for the interview. So it’ll be easier to bond and build rapport, or talk about topics that they’re familiar with.

7. Industry Research

Next, if you’re attending a job interview in an unfamiliar industry, you should go beyond researching the company and also dig into the industry overall.

Browse social media accounts of other businesses in the industry, read a few trade publications online, see what types of jobs are posted in this industry, and more.

What types of products and services does the industry provide in general?

What are some of the latest developments happening?

What are some common types of jobs in the industry?

You can look at industry news in Google, check company social media accounts, and more to gather this information.

8. Research the Company’s Job Interview Process

There are a variety of websites that allow job seekers to write about their job search experience and which interview questions they faced. So I recommend searching Google for terms like “<Company Name> interview questions” and “<Company Name> interview process.”

You won’t find information about this for every employer, but you should find some hints about the interview process for most large employers, which can be a big aid in your job search.

Then, you’ll know how to better prepare for your job interview to show you’re a fit for the company’s culture and role.

9. Read Employee Reviews

Next, consider visiting a site like Glassdoor.com to read reviews from current and past employees.

This may give you more hints about how the company operates, which will help you prepare great interview answers.

You’ll also gain valuable information to help you decide if you do or don’t want to work for this company!

You may spot a red flag or two that you’d like to ask about in the interview.

You wouldn’t have found this on a casual visit to the company’s website. So reading reviews from real employees will give you a better understanding of what your life will be like if you accept their job.

Those are the best steps you can take for pre-interview company research. I recommend doing everything above if you have time.

10. Additional Research for Public Companies

If a company is publicly traded, it must release an annual report, quarterly financial statements, and more.

You can see their stock price, read recent stock news, and more.

For public companies, you’ll often see an “investor relations” button when you visit the company website (usually in the site footer).

You can also search for the company name on a website like Google Finance to read about their financial health and explore recent financial data and statements.

This doesn’t need to be an in-depth, time-consuming step when researching a company, but it’s worth noting whether they’re publicly traded or not, and how the company’s stock is doing.

Final Step: Review Your Company Research

Now you know what to research about a company before the interview.

As a final step, make sure you can answer these questions about a company:

• Who is the CEO ?
• When/why was the company founded?
• Does the company have one or multiple locations? And where are they headquartered?
• How does the company make money? What do they sell and who is their typical customer?
• Why do their customers choose them?
• How are they different from their competitors?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• Does the company have a mission statement or a reason why they were founded?
• What do you know about the hiring manager’s background? How long have they been with the company?

Use that as a checklist to make sure you’ve researched the company enough before your interview.

Now that you know how to research a company before a job interview, you’re going to be able to make a better impression on recruiters and hiring managers, and turn more interviews into job offers !

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

2 thoughts on “How to Research a Company for an Interview: 10 Steps”

This was VERY resourceful. Thanks so much for the helpful tips.

Great list. Thank you!

Comments are closed.

12 Effective Ways to Research a Company Before an Interview

• Early Career

In preparation for your next job interview, we’ve gathered insights from top professionals, including HR executives and CEOs, to offer you the most effective strategies for researching a company. From analyzing employee social profiles to utilizing LinkedIn for company insights, explore the twelve comprehensive strategies these experts recommend for a deep dive into your potential employer’s world.

Analyze Employee Social Profiles

Observe active social media channels, check crunchbase for financial history, conduct informational interviews, research interviewers and company staff, study the company’s digital footprint, review website, reports, and employee insights, utilize glassdoor for candid feedback, leverage official channels and employee reviews, read between the lines of company communications, compare company with industry competitors, utilize linkedin for company insights.

Drawing from my dual background as an HR professional with five years of experience and an HR writer with four years under my belt, I’ve developed a keen eye for assessing company cultures and work environments beyond the company’s LinkedIn page and traditional review sites like Glassdoor. 

A key strategy is to closely observe how employees discuss their work environment and culture on their personal LinkedIn profiles. This approach offers authentic insights into the company culture, beyond what is officially presented.

For instance, recurring mentions of overtime, burnout, or high stress levels among employees are clear red flags, indicating a potential culture of overwork. Conversely, posts celebrating team achievements, work-life balance, or professional development suggest a positive, supportive environment. Such nuances provide valuable, candid insights into the company’s real culture, guiding you toward making a well-informed decision about your potential workplace.

Maheen Kanwal , HR Executive, B2B Tech SaaS Copywriter, Founder, Call to Authority

Assess the socials that they’re most active on so that you can really get a sense of what makes them ‘tick’, and what they’re likely to respond positively to. For example, if they have an office dog, then you can share your mutual love of dogs, or if they’re working on a certain project that they’ve shared, then you can comment on that project specifically.

Tracey Beveridge , HR Director, Personnel Checks

If you plan on working for a start-up, a scale-up, or a rapidly growing organization, I strongly recommend looking at Crunchbase to see their financial history. A great many privately owned companies survive almost entirely on venture capital, and the availability of this capital is paramount to their continued existence. 

Crunchbase outlines a company’s investment history, providing powerful insight into where the money is coming from. Consequently, when applying for jobs, it’s always worth keeping an eye on how much funding they have received, and for two reasons. Free-flowing funding means that salaries are likely to be paid as promised, as they are unlikely to run into financial problems in the short term. But also, if venture capital firms are interested in investing, this suggests the organization has something special going on, which is a positive sign.

Oliver Savill , CEO and Founder, AssessmentDay

One strategy I highly recommend for thoroughly researching a company before an interview is to leverage informational interviews with current or former employees. While online resources provide valuable information, speaking directly with individuals who have firsthand experience with the company can offer unique insights and perspectives.

Start by reaching out to your professional network or utilizing platforms like LinkedIn to identify individuals who currently work at or have previously worked for the company. Politely request a brief informational interview where you can ask questions about their experiences, company culture, values, and any other relevant aspects.

During the informational interview, focus on open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses. Inquire about the company’s mission, recent projects or initiatives, workplace environment, team dynamics, and growth opportunities. Additionally, ask about challenges they’ve faced and how the company addresses them, as well as any advice they have for potential candidates.

Listening attentively to their responses can provide valuable insights beyond what you might find in official company materials. Pay attention to recurring themes or sentiments, which can help you better understand the company’s culture and values.

After the informational interview, take notes and reflect on the information gathered. Compare it with other research sources, such as the company’s website, news articles, and employee reviews, to gain a comprehensive understanding.

Daniel Jorge , Senior Consultant, EC1 Partners

At the end of the day, companies are made up of people. It’s super important before an interview to do research about the people you’ll be speaking with. Just five minutes of Googling can do a lot… Look at their LinkedIn page (maybe you have connections or education in common) and find something interesting to discuss.

I’ve interviewed hundreds of people, and many don’t even look at our company website before speaking with us. Those that do just a little bit of research about the company and me really stand out and show they go the extra mile!

Corey Schwitz , CEO & Founder, On-Demand Salesforce, Hubspot and Revenue Ops Customization, Skydog Ops

A unique strategy for researching a company thoroughly before an interview is to study its digital footprint beyond the traditional scope of its official website and social media profiles. This involves a deep dive into various online platforms and resources where the company’s indirect presence can provide insightful context about its culture, reputation, and operational nuances. Here’s how to approach this:

Participate in or review discussions on industry-specific forums and online communities related to the company’s field. These platforms can offer unfiltered insights into the company’s reputation within the industry, emerging challenges it might be facing, and the innovations it’s known for.

Websites like Trustpilot, Yelp, or even product review sections on e-commerce platforms can provide a wealth of information about the company’s products or services, customer satisfaction levels, and how the company handles complaints or feedback. This research can explain the company’s customer service ethos and product quality.

Companies in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, etc.) should check reports and filings with regulatory bodies. These documents can shed light on the company’s compliance history, financial health, and any regulatory challenges it may have faced. This information can be particularly insightful for understanding the company’s operational rigor and market standing.

Vaibhav Kakkar , CEO, Digital Web Solutions

Before your interview, check the company’s website to learn about what it values and who leads it. Look at reports and financial statements for information on its finances and performance. Check news and social media for recent projects and how the company is perceived publicly. Read what employees say on sites like Glassdoor to understand how people feel about working there. 

Also, check LinkedIn for key people and connect with current or past employees if possible. This will give you a good understanding of the company, and during the interview, you can show that you know about its goals and values.

Eva Toledo , Senior Researcher, Kepler Search Pte Ltd

I would highly recommend using Glassdoor or any other tool that will provide candid feedback about an organization. While organizations can pay to try to have bad reviews removed, the on-the-ground feedback and how an organization responds can show a lot.

In my consulting practice, I was burned by this previously. A client that I was going to work for had really bad reviews about the culture, the owner, and red flags that would have been a tip-off of things to come. However, I ignored the data in front of me. They turned out to be very much like the reviews, and I should have heeded the warnings. I ended up leaving the client after about six months.

Ben Madden , Owner, HR Action LLC

I highly recommend utilizing the company’s official channels, particularly its website and published materials. Start by reviewing the About Us, Mission Statement, and Values sections to grasp the organization’s foundational principles and culture. Examine annual reports and financial statements for insights into the company’s financial health and performance. 

Additionally, explore recent news articles, press releases, and social media profiles to understand current developments and employee interactions. Leveraging employee review platforms like Glassdoor can provide valuable perspectives on the work environment. Connecting with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn can offer firsthand insights. 

This comprehensive approach ensures that candidates not only understand the business’s objectives and financial standing but also its culture and employee experiences, facilitating a more informed and tailored interview preparation.

Steven Mostyn , Chief Human Resources Officer, Management.org

The most important thing is to read between the lines on a company’s website and public communications to figure out what they really care about. Study their About page, press releases, leadership bios, and so on. Look for signs that they value innovation, people, or social responsibility in a way that appeals to you. Understanding what motivates a company will help the conversation flow better in interviews, beyond just your qualifications.

Additionally, check out news articles and reviews to get balanced inside perspectives from employees. Approach learning about a company as an interesting research project where no detail is too small. Doing this groundwork will allow you to assess if it’s a good fit, align values, and show how you can contribute.

I’ll admit I didn’t always do enough research early on and stumbled in interviews. But being your real self, focused on helping people more than profits, makes connections that the right organization will recognize.

Lou Reverchuk , Co-founder and CEO, EchoGlobal

One very effective tactic when researching the company you are about to interview with is not only studying the company’s history, products, services, and culture but also the company’s competitors to get a broader view of the industry and how the company stands against those competitors.

You can find company intelligence in industry reports, news articles, or in financial statements. This can help you to understand the competitive dynamics, current market trends, or present challenges. A good way to impress the interviewer can be to refer to their competitors and how they might be able to take account of this in the job you are applying for. It would show that you can think strategically and that you tend to be proactive.

An interviewer may ask you to describe some ways you might contribute to the company if you got hired. It’s a way of asking, “What can you do for us?” It can also be a way to determine your motivation and commitment to the company. Answering this question can help build your credibility and show the interviewer that you are excited to help the company grow. Some possible ways you might be able to contribute to the company that you’re interviewing for include bringing in new trends, being knowledgeable about the company, and being innovative.

Blake Smith , Marketing Manager, ClockOn

LinkedIn provides a wealth of information about companies, including their mission, values, products or services, and recent news or updates. Additionally, you can explore the company’s culture page on LinkedIn, which often includes employee testimonials and insights into the work environment. 

Another valuable aspect of LinkedIn is the opportunity to leverage your professional network. If you know anyone, past or present, who has worked at the company, you can reach out to them for insights or information. 

Connecting with current or former employees can provide you with firsthand perspectives on the company’s culture, work environment, and overall experience. They may be able to share valuable insights that go beyond what you can find through public sources. This knowledge will help you prepare for your interview and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.

Heidi Hauver , Chief People Officer

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How To Research a Company for a Job Interview

7 Ways to Find Out What You Need to Know Before the Big Day

Visit the Company Website

Browse social media, use linkedin, get an interview edge, use google and google news, tap your connections, get to know the industry and competitors, how to use this research during interviews.

You may have heard the advice that it’s important to have some questions for the hiring manager when you’re interviewing for a job. It’s true that interviewers will expect you to be curious and interested in their organization, and they'll expect to show that by asking questions, but it’s also true that you should come to the interview with a good baseline of knowledge about the company.

Hopefully, you’ll learn a lot about the company during the interview—like whether the organization and the company culture are a good fit for you, for example. But during the interview is not the time to learn basic information about the company. You should know all that before you set foot in corporate HQ. 

The good news is that it’s easier than ever before to learn about an employer before the job interview. Take some time, in advance, to learn as much as you can online. Then, tap into your real-world network to see who you know who can help give you an interview edge over the other candidates. Do your research, and you’ll make a much better impression on the hiring manager. Here are tips for researching companies before the interview.

Start by visiting the company website. There, you can review the organization's mission statement and history, products and services, and management, as well as information about the company culture. The information is usually available in the "About Us" section of the site. If there's a Press section of the website, read through the featured links there.

Pay attention to themes that come up repeatedly on the site. As much as any stated corporate values, the words companies choose to describe themselves are telling. Do you want to work at a place where people are “driven to excellence,” or does that make you feel tired? Do you like the idea of working with people who consider their coworkers family, or do you need more distance between your job and your personal life? Of course, organizations use hyperbole when talking about themselves... but it’s often pretty telling hyperbole.

Next, check the company's social media accounts. Visit their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. This will give you a good sense of how the company wants its consumers to see it. Like or follow the company to get updates. You'll find some information you may not have found otherwise.

You may also uncover some red flags. If the organization doesn’t have a professionally managed social media presence, for example, or if it’s updated sporadically and inconsistently, they might not be totally in control of their public image.

LinkedIn company profiles are a good way to find, at a glance, more information on a company you're interested in. You'll be able to see your connections at the company, new hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and company statistics. If you have connections at the company, consider reaching out to them. Not only can they put in a good word for you, but they may also share their perspective on the company and give you tips that will help you ace the interview.

Take a look at your interviewer's LinkedIn profile to get insight into their job and their background, as well. Look for any common links between you. Do you know the same people? Did you go to the same school? Are you part of the same groups, online or off? Those common links could help you establish rapport during the interview process. 

Consider looking up the company on Glassdoor . Their Interview Questions and Reviews section has a goldmine of information for job seekers.

You can find out what candidates for the positions you are interviewing for were asked and get advice on how tough the interview was. Use reviews to help get a sense of company culture. That said, take them with a grain of salt—employees are often most likely to leave reviews when they are unhappy. As you read reviews, look for repeated themes. The more mentions a given subject gets (whether it's praise for flexible hours or frustration with senior management) the more likely it is to be accurate.

Search both Google and Google News for the company name. This can be invaluable. You may find out that the company is expanding into Asia, for instance, or recently received a round of start-up funding. Or, you may find out that a recent product underperformed or had to be recalled. This knowledge can help shape your responses to interview questions.

Do you know someone who works at the company? Ask them if they can help.

If you're a college grad, ask your career office if they can give you a list of alumni who work there. Then email them, send a LinkedIn message, or call and ask for assistance.

As well as researching the company, it makes sense to review the overall industry. If you're interviewing for a job at a mortgage company, for instance, it's helpful to be informed about current homeownership trends. Get to know the company's biggest competitors and identify their successes and flaws, too. Insight into the company's industry and rivals are bound to impress interviewers.

During a job interview, interviewers ask questions to get to know candidates . But their main goal is to determine if a candidate will be a good fit for the position and company.

Your company research will make your responses to questions compelling and show that you'll be helpful to their goals and bottom line.

Plus, your knowledge will help you give a specific answer if you're asked why you'd like to work for the company. You can share details about things you find admirable about the company, its mission, or its culture.

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How to Research a Company for a Job Interview

As the world continues to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, your opportunities for employment may be growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says more companies are hiring, including those focused on health care and social assistance. In a survey conducted by staffing company Robert Half, job openings still outnumber candidates nearly 2 to 1.

If you’re job hunting, this is good news. When preparing for an interview, make sure to research the company's mission, reputation, finances, and more. This can help you appear as a knowledgeable, informed candidate to a recruiter or hiring manager when answering interview questions.

Here are 10 ways to conduct company research for an interview.

10 Things You Should Check Out Before Your Interview

1. visit the company website.

Learn about the company from the “About Us” section or any “Meet Our Team” section. These pages will give you an overview of the company, but be aware that these pages may be more geared toward attracting customers or clients. You might be able to get more insight about the job itself if the company has a “Careers” page.

Additionally, more job seekers are placing emphasis on a company’s values. In a recent article , Caitlin Duffy, research director at research and consulting firm Gartner, said, “You could call it the ‘Great Reflection.’ … It’s critical to deliver value and purpose.” Check out the company’s values page, mission statement, and any company culture page to gain more insight.

2. Check on the Company’s Financial Health

You don’t want to get involved with a financially troubled company. Investopedia says the single best indicator of a company’s financial health and long-term viability is its bottom line profit margin.

For many large companies, you should be able to find this and more financial information from a company’s quarterly earnings report, annual report, or conference calls with investors, the latter of which you might find on YouTube. If you’re interviewing with a startup, check out its profile on Crunchbase .

3. Learn About the Skills the Company Requires

You should be able to find out a lot in a job posting, including a general description, duties, education, experience requirements, and possibly starting salary range.

Also, take a good look at what they’re looking for in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities. With this information, you should be able to decide what the company is seeking in a qualified candidate. This can help you position yourself in your interview.

>>Learn More: The Top 8 Soft Skills That Employers Want

4. Browse Social Media

Many companies are using social media to present themselves. According to Statista , 92.1% of larger U.S. companies used social media for marketing in 2022, up from 86.2% in 2013. The way social media is used can give you insight into companies.

Search out the company’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) pages to gain a sense of how the company wants to be perceived. You can also spot some red flags this way, such as a less-than-professional presence.

Also, it never hurts to check out the company on YouTube.

5. Explore LinkedIn

According to LinkedIn , more than 65 million companies use the site to connect with consumers, other companies, and prospective employees.

Companies share a lot of information on this platform, so make yourself familiar with it. You can see a company’s hires, promotions, jobs posted, related companies, and statistics. You can also see who they interact with.

You should search LinkedIn for people who are employed at the company. Learn about the company by looking at their employees’ experiences.

6. Search Google and Google News

Google is a valuable tool, beginning with its wide-ranging Search feature . Look for a company’s name and see what turns up. You may find out the company’s tactics, recent news releases, or plans.

Use the News tab to find out if the company has been in the news lately. You might find out whether the company has been having difficulties or had products recalled.

7. Use Glassdoor and Other Employee Sites

Glassdoor says 83% of its users are actively looking for jobs or are open to new opportunities. Explore the company’s Glassdoor listing, including their Interview Questions and Reviews section for valuable information for job seekers.

You can also see whether employees have left comments about the company — but recognize that sometimes the more disgruntled an employee is, the more likely they are to post.

8. Research the Field and Competitors

It is a good idea to research the competitors of the company you’re interviewing with. That can help clarify for you the company’s mission and needs.

Head to similarweb.com , type the company’s name, and then click “similar sites.” You can also look up competitors on LinkedIn by seeing what recommendations you get if you click on the interviewing company’s page.

9. Mine Your Current Connections

If you know someone who works at the company now, ask them for their insight. Check with other friends to see if they have friends who work there. This is where your own personal network can help out.

Networking events could also connect you with the right people to find out more information. It’s a good idea to keep building your network.

10. Find Out About the Hiring Manager

Lastly, before the interview, research the hiring manager or your interviewer on LinkedIn. Find out what you can about them, and see if there are any commonalities you share. This can give you an advantage during the interview because you’ll have a better chance of connecting with them and sparking a meaningful conversation.

>>Learn More: How to Tackle Tough Interview Questions

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How to Research a Company - Top 9 Tips for 2024

There are a lot of benefits to researching potential employers.

For one, you’re better prepared for the interview. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions about the role or company , you are able to give more educated answers.

Moreover, it becomes much easier to spot red flags about potential employers. If you find that every other review about the company you’re applying for is negative, chances are, they’re not the best employer in the world.  

That said, how, exactly do you research a company?

Well, we’re about to teach you just that, starting with:

How to Research a Company - Top 9 Tips

Tip#1. start with the employer’s website.

What’s a better place to start researching a potential employer than their “front door?”

Start by visiting the company’s website and looking for information on:

• What product or service does the company offer? Is it something you personally find interesting?
• How big is the company? Is it a young startup, a multi-national corporation, or something in-between?
• What’s the company culture like? Is the work environment more casual or formal?
• Is there a dress code?
• Does the company have prospective growth opportunities outlined on its website? 

In your job search , you can use this information in 2 main ways.

For one, you can decide if a company is a good fit for you culture-wise. If you’re a young professional who hates wearing a suit and loves having a flexible schedule, chances are, Goldman Sachs is NOT your ideal employer. If the company you’re looking into has a culture that doesn’t represent your values, you might want to consider applying elsewhere. 

Alternatively, this information can help you ace the interview . It’s almost guaranteed that the interviewer is going to ask you questions about how familiar you are with their brand.

The more you know about the company, the more invested you’ll appear and the more likely it is that the interviewer will pick you over the other candidates.

Tip #2. Find Company Employees via LinkedIn

You can use LinkedIn to find who’s currently working at the company you’re researching.

For example, if you look up “People” under “Apple” on LinkedIn, you’ll get a view of their employees worldwide:

From there, you can filter by specific location (E.g. Austin, Texas), and then filter by role (E.g. Marketing).

So - how can you use this information?

For one, you can connect with someone in the department you’d like to work in and ask them questions about the company, culture, department, or the role you’re applying for.

The key here, though, is not to be too pushy. The people you contact don’t owe you an answer or a reply. However, if you’re being courteous, there’s a very good chance you’re actually going to get one.

Best case scenario, if they like your questions and initiative, they might even refer you to the team lead or department head personally!

Tip #3. Look Up News About the Employer  

Look up the company’s name and hit “News” to see what the company has been up to recently.

You can also find such information on the News or Blog page on the employer’s website.

There are a lot of ways you can use such information, some of which include:

• You can dodge companies that have had recent scandals.
• You can impress the interviewer with how up-to-date you are with the employer.
• You can learn more about recent company development. For example, what products they’re working on, which countries they’re expanding to, etc.

Tip #4. Look Up Company Reviews on Glassdoor

Glassdoor is an employer review website where you can read information about prospective employers.

You can use it to find reviews about the company and its CEO. For example:

Moreover, you can check out specifics like:

• Salary averages for any given position.
• Reviews of their interview process.
• Reviews of the benefits offered by the company

You can use such information to find an employer you’re going to love, ask for the right salary, or dodge companies with high turnover rates and negative reviews.

Tip #5. Tap Into Your Network

Using LinkedIn, you can see if anyone in your network is working at the company you’re researching.

Then, you can just reach out to them and directly ask questions about the role/employer.

If you’re close with the person you’re reaching out to (or have had professional relations in the past), you can even ask them for a referral directly!

Tip #6. Research Company’s Social Media Pages

Go through the company’s social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) to get a grasp of how they communicate with their target demographics.

Follow them to get updates whenever they post anything. You can even like and comment on their posts which can help you fall into their radar, especially if they’re a small team.

Tip #7. Look Up Posts on Social Media 

You can look up what people are discussing about the company on social media to get a more unbiased view of the organization.

For example, you could Google something like this: site:reddit.com "apple” "job" to get a complete list of all threads on Reddit where people are discussing Apple as an employer:

Tip #8. Get an Edge on the Interview Process With Glassdoor

Using Glassdoor Interview Q&A Section , you can find the exact questions employers ask their interviewees. For example:

You can use this to better prepare for the upcoming interview, as well as get a general idea of what kind of questions you’re going to be asked.

Tip #9. Learn About Company Salary Averages

You can use a tool like 

 to find salary averages for the company you’re applying for based on department or role:

You can then take advantage of this information to ask for the right sum and avoid getting low-balled.

Why Research Employers? Top 4 Reasons

At this point, the reason for researching employers should be pretty self-explanatory, but we thought we’d cover the topic just in case!

The 4 main reasons for researching a company are:

• Get an edge over the interview. Employers love it when you’re knowledgeable about their company. After all, they want to hire people who want to work there specifically, not the ones that are just randomly applying everywhere. The more company knowledge you demonstrate during the interview, the more likely it is that you’ll get the job.
• Uncover red flags (and avoid bad employers). You can find a lot of skeletons in company closets if you just do some research online. This can actually help you save a ton of time and effort from applying (or getting hired) at the wrong place.
• Find the right job for you. There are a lot of companies out there - not all of them are the right fit for you. By researching companies online, you’ll be able to tell right from wrong more easily.
• Negotiate a better salary. You can find information on average salaries at a specific company online, so you have a better idea of what kind of range you can ask for.

Key Takeaways

And that just about sums up all you need to know about researching a company online! Before you go, though, let’s do a quick recap of what we learned:

• When researching an employer, start by looking at their website and social media pages to learn more about their culture and product/service.
• Look up news about the company to avoid employers with recent scandals.
• Find company reviews on Glassdoor and uncover potential employer red flags.
• Use LinkedIn to find people who work at the company you’re applying for and reach out to ask questions about the job or the employer.
• Use all the information you learn from researching the company to get an edge over the interview and negotiate a better salary.

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How to Research a Company for an Interview in 6 Easy Steps

In This Guide:

Step 1: ask your network.

Step 2: Check out the company's blog on their website

Step 3: Comb through the company's social media accounts

Step 4: Job description

Step 5: Read reviews

Step 6: Examine media sources and press releases

Step 7: Examine your own values and career trajectory

You've been sending your resume and cover letter out to several companies, and you finally got an interview for a position that you love.

Before your interview, it's a good idea to know a little about the company, specifically the company's mission, culture, and values.

Understanding how the company operates allows you to discern if you feel you'd be a good fit for it. By researching companies, you can better prepare for the interview questions , tailoring your answers to the specific company and hiring manager.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 7 easy steps to research a company for an interview
• Suggestions on how to use your research during the interview

Before you head out and do some research on the company that you're interviewing for, speak with a career counselor from Enhancv . They can help you to refine your research and create valuable talking points to ace your interview.

7 steps to research a company for an interview

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If you are anything like me, you want to come prepared for your interview, knowing exactly what you need to know to make the best first impression. Alternatively, if you show up to a job interview without properly researching the company that you're applying for, you may feel ill prepared, stumbling over the main ideas that you'd like to convey.

If you want to be prepared for your next interview, follow these six steps to research the hiring company:

When you settle down in a career for a long period of time, you build up a network of contacts. Whether through vendors, clients, colleagues, or managers of other companies, reaching out to those people that you know may be your first step in understanding the reputation of the company that you're interviewing for.

Instead of just looking at the ways that the company represents itself online through marketing materials, social media posts, or philanthropic pursuits, asking someone you know who has an understanding of the company can give you key insights.

This type of research may be more intimate, allowing you to gain more of an understanding of how it feels to be someone who works at the company or interacts with management there. This type of research allows you to identify any red flags, things that may make you choose not to continue during the interview process with the hiring company.

It's important to keep in mind that you should take some of this word-of-mouth research with a grain of salt. For example, if you are speaking to former employees of the company, they may have more overtly negative things to say about it since they've stopped working there.

If you're just starting out in the industry, and you're fresh off an internship , you may be able to contact your university's career office, and ask if there are some alumni who attended the same school working at the company.

Who knows? Maybe you can get a job referral or reference from your network.

Advice for the interview

If possible, use your network as a starting place for research, but continue to do a little more research on your own to gain more of an understanding of how an organization operates. If someone in your network has something nice to say about the company, ask that person if it is okay if you shared it in the interview. You never know if the hiring manager may know the person who you're talking about.

Step 2: Check out the company's blog on their website

If you're interested in learning more about how the company operates, you should check out their website. Here you can gain a better understanding of the products and services they offer their customers, whilst also learning about the things that matter to them the most.

The best place to look for information on a company's website is their blog, as you can usually find great content that breaks down everything the company is doing. A company's blog is where an organization can share about what differentiates them from other organizations.

Most companies now are trying to become thought leaders in their industry, and on their website you can see a little more about the company's vision and values.

Even a company's annual report, which may be found on their website, can help to show you the financial health of the company, and even how they handle investor relations.

Another helpful place to look is on the "about us" page, which lists all the important people at the company. Here you can find employee bios. By looking at this page, you may be even able to find the name and position of the hiring manager that will be interviewing you for the position. This allows you to have all the information you need to choose your employer .

Whatever you glean from the company website can be used in your interview to show that you have done your due diligence. By quoting blog posts or white papers found on the website, you will impress interviewers and build rapport. You can actually strike up a meaningful conversation by pointing to the company's mission statement which you found on their website.

Step 3: Comb through the company's social media accounts.

Another great place to find information on the company online is to search through their social media accounts. There are two types of social media accounts that you can look for: the official company's social media account, and individual executive's social media accounts. The company social media account is the place where they put all the content that they would like to share with their target audience. You can actually see what they value the most at their company by what they post on their social media posts. Also, you can gain a lot of company information from the key players within an organization. Some large companies have executives with their own social media profiles, and you may be able to gain the inside scoop on the company values straight from their leaders.

By searching through social media posts, you may be able to read between the lines to find some red flags about the company. For example, if the CEO of the company explains how they are "driven to succeed and change the world", depending on your own personality, you may see this as something which could lead to a highly motivating company culture, or you could find it exhausting.

Every bit of research can give you insights into the company's history, and reasons for you to work there.

Step 4: job description

This may be one of the places that you may have forgotten about, but jobseekers can gain a lot of information from the job description. Not only do you gain information about the hiring process, most job applications provide you with a short introduction to the company, specifically their culture, vision, and values.

In the job description, you are also given information about the tasks and duties of the role. Scour the job description to learn about what roles you'll fill, and what duties and responsibilities you'll be expected to complete.

Some job descriptions also offer information on employee benefits, like medical, pension plans, and even stock options.

All the research you gain from the job description can actually be really helpful during an interview, as it can provide you with questions for your interviewer. Having questions ready for your interviewer can differentiate yourself from other applicants. Also, most job descriptions tend to be fairly generic, so come ready with a few questions up your sleeve to gain a better idea of the position.

Related: Sure-Fire Zoom Interview Tips to Ace Your Online Interview

Reading employee reviews can be viewed as a secret weapon when researching for an interview. Even a quick search of the business on an employee review website, can give you quite a bit of information about what it's like to practically work there.

As you scour the reviews, look for common themes which seem to show up from all employees. If several former employees share that the bosses have a tendency to overwork their employees, then this may be a sign that the company doesn't offer a great work/life balance.

Although you may not want to reference reviews of a business from former employees, keep some reviews in the back of your mind when you are answering questions for the interview. Check to see how they treat their current employees, as well as the expectations and goals that will be placed on you.

Step 6: examine media sources and press releases

Another type of research is to do a Google News search to see how media sources are portraying the company. Just do a quick search of the company name, and you may be able to gain information like how the company is expanding operations into Europe and Asia.

You may also be able to gain information on philanthropic pursuits that the company has done within their community.

The last thing that you're going to want to do is to understand your own values and career trajectory. This may be the hardest type of research that you'll have to do, as you'll have to look deep inside yourself to see exactly what you want to get out of your next job.

Some informational interview questions might actually tap into your own values and career trajectory. For example, you may be asked in an interview, "What do you like the most about your work?" Coming prepared with an understanding of what motivates you can help you answer this question.

advice for the interview

An interview is a feeling out process, whereby an interviewer and interviewee can decide whether they feel like they can work together. So come ready to talk about yourself and be honest in your interview answers.

Major takeaways:

• Check out the company's online presence through their social media accounts, website, and blog.
• Use your network of friends, family members, former employees, and those you went to university with to help you to gain an understanding of the company.
• Check out former employees' reviews of the company on review websites.
• Examine yourself, before interviewing for a position, to see exactly what you want to get out of the role.

While we're on the subject of examining your own vision for your career trajectory, you should speak to a career counselor from Enhancv . Within the first meeting, you can begin to share a bit of the information about you, and gain insights into where you would like your career to go.

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How to Research a Company for an Interview: A Quick Guide

You’ve heard this interview tip time and time before: do company research before an interview and customize your replies around your findings. But what type of information should you be mining? And even more importantly — where do you need to start digging?

If want to walk into your interview as if you have known about the company for years, here’s how to research a company for an interview:

• Peruse the company website
• Review the corporate blog
• Get on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter)
• Identify the main competitors
• Determine the company’s main differentiators 
• Review corporate finance 
• Look for ‘red flags’ on review websites
• Check salary data. 

Now let’s put each tip under the microscope! 

1. Check The Corporate Website 

Take some time to read through the company website to familiarize yourself with every aspect of what they do. Read through the latest press releases and media information (usually filed under Media/Press tab) to see what sort of image they are portraying to the general public or their peers if they are a B2B company.

When you browse the website pay attention to:

• Any major product/services launches
• Strategic changes e.g. M&A activity, new management, new board members
• Main corporate values and overall missions
• Numbers around corporate social responsibility and related initiatives.

As you look through the company website, check out a few of the basics that you should know before attending your interview – such as the history of the company, the size, and location of other bases if they have any, how many people they employ, and their plans for the future.

Jot down all of these tidbits. They’ll be useful for preparing replies to the common job interview questions such as “ why do you want to work here? ” or “what motivates you?”. 

2. Browse the Blog 

Does the company have a blog? If so, read through the posts and learn about the company culture and recent events. 

In particular, skim for any information related to:

• Social initiatives such as any charities they may support or sponsor.
• Industry events they’ve participated in or promoted/sponsored. 
• Products/services launches 

Also, many employers these days run separate department or division blogs. For example, Netflix has a tech blog where they share updated on their infrastructure. GE runs separate blogs for healthcare , manufacturing , and aviation leaders , where they share business insights and thought leadership pieces. You can learn plenty from them around the employer’s recent projects or goals and bring those up in your conversation with HR. 

3. Review Social Media Profiles 

LinkedIn is a great place to check to see if there are profiles for the people you will be interviewed by. It is always good to be prepared so getting an idea about the interviewers, their role at the company, how long they have been there, etc. can give you an advantage at your interview.

Next, you might also want to check the employer’s Facebook and Instagram profiles. Both are usually used by HRs to providing more insights into the company’s inner-works, day-to-day life, and regular people. Browsing recent content should give you a better sense of the company’s overall culture and vibe.  

Depending on your industry and role, Twitter can also be a nice way to pre-network with some of the current employees. Unlike other social media networks, you don’t have to be ‘friends’ with someone to ask questions or get into discussions. So it may be easier to build up some level of rapport with the company or particular members of staff on Twitter. Such casual networking can be a way to break the ice and n get some insider information that could prove very useful for your job application (or subsequent decision to take or refuse the job offer).

4. Study the Competition 

It is also useful to be able to learn more about the industry or business sector as a whole (especially if it’s new-ish to you). Knowing a little about the competition and how the company fits better into their niche will always impress at the interview.

The easiest way to understand who’s the employer is rubbing elbows with is by looking on LinkedIn. Check the ‘Other Companies People Viewed’ section in the right sidebar.

You will see a few competitors listed there. You don’t need to do much research here, just pick up on the ‘big picture’ information about them so you can talk with confidence about the competition if needed.

5. Identify The Company’s Strong Points

Now that you know the company’s main competition, you’d also want to figure out how they are different. Doing so is important to avoid the awkward ‘faux pas’ of prompting that company A is just like company B, C, and D — when they are actually working quite hard on their unique positionings. 

Thus, when researching companies before an interview pay attention to their strongest ‘selling points’ and brand differentiators. Typically, you can find some good info snippets by reviewing:

• The company’s marketing collateral: media kits, product/brand presentations, etc. 
• Recent announcements around its achievements. 
• The ethos shared in the mission statement. 

Then use these strategically in your interview replies. For example, if you are looking for a job with an energy company. They may claim that they are a leading company for investing in sustainable green energy. That is a good thing to know.

At the interview, you can mention that you are passionate about protecting the environment and support the use of green energy. You could add that this is one of the main reasons you are attracted to their company.

6. Check Out The Company Financial Performance

You will want to win a job with some security, so it makes sense to look at the health of the company’s financial situation. Check to see what corporate sponsors or business partnerships they have. Larger companies will post their annual reports so you can get an idea of their revenue growth. 

If you are applying for a position with a new start-up company, then check them out on Crunchbase to see what recent funding they have had, recent hires, and read press releases and news about them.

Although this information may be really useful to reassure you about the stability of the company, it is not something that you would normally bring up in conversation during your interview. However, it will enable you to speak confidently about where you believe the company is heading, and that can be very impressive at an interview.

7. Scan For “Red Flags” Online 

Let’s keep it real: not every organization will be an amazing place to work. In some places, the managerial attitude towards lower-level employees may not be great. Others might be consistently underpaying their staff. 

You’d definitely want to know such things in advance and gently bring some up during the interview if you find them particularly concerning. 

Specifically, do the following:

• Check the employer reviews on Glassdoor or other industry websites where former/current employees can provide anonymous reviews. 
• Review their scores on consumer rating websites (Google Reviews, Yelp, Trust Pilot) to glean into the overall brand perception. 
• Get on Google News and use [company name] + scam (or similar) query to get a scoop on the employer’s overall reputation. 

8. Check Salary Information 

If the interview goes well, high chances are that HR will want to discuss your salary expectation. Also, this is a common second interview question . So you’d want to have some real figures in mind. 

Granted, you can now find up-to-date salary information for an array of employers and roles on websites such as PayScale and Glassdoor among others. Get some ballpark estimates to have an upper hand when it comes to salary negotiation.

Final tip: Hone In On The Job Requirements

What is expected of an employee in a certain role can differ greatly from company to company. Knowing that you can actually do the work required of you once you land a job with the company is going to be very important.

As you prepare for the job interview, take another look at the original job posting. Review the main skills requirements. Then think if you have good examples of your accomplishments or quick stories to illustrate these during the interview!

This article has been originally published on October 5, 2016 and has been extensively revised and updated on January 21, 2021.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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Researching companies: How to research a company for an interview

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So, you’ve secured your interviews and you’re now at the stage of researching companies.

There’s no great secret to performing well in a job interview – it relies heavily on employer research strategies, preparation, and good interview techniques.

Prepare your answers for some of the most common graduate job interview questions with our interview questions guide .

This will help you know how to effectively prepare for an interview and what to research for an interview!

In order to succeed in a job interview, researching the employer is just as important.

Check out our top tips for how to research a company for an interview, how to research a company online and how to research a role so you can successfully impress an employer with your answers.

The importance of company research for interviews

Researching companies before an interview can hugely benefit you to ace it when the time comes.

Interviews can be stressful and worrying, but researching companies before interviews is a great way to help you feel more prepared and confident in your answers.

By doing this, you will be prepared in the right head space for your upcoming interviews.

It will also show that you understand the company, and that you are enthusiastic about the role.

Completing company research for interviews and finding out their missions and company culture will also allow you to quickly see if it’s the right place for you.

When interviewing, it’s important to choose companies that genuinely interest and excite you.

Don’t accept a position with an employer whose values do not match your own.

This could lead to you leaving a company prematurely, so your research is crucial to working for a company that suits you.

What to research before an interview?

Wondering how to research companies for interviews before applying for a role? Do you know what to research about a company for an interview?

Here are some of the key factors to find out from your research:

• What the company does and the industry they operate in
• Where it is located
• The approximate team size
• The company’s history, major successes and defining moments
• The company’s customers/clients or target audience
• The industry the company operates in
• Products or services that the company has recently launched
• The company’s mission, aims, objectives or goals

Now you know exactly what to research before an interview, here’s how to research a company for a job interview:

How to research companies for interviews

1. visit the company website.

Your first step should be to look online as it is easier than ever to research employers.

Find out what the company does whether it’s a product or service, history, successes, news, and information about the team – try the home page, ‘ About Us ’ and ‘ Meet The Team ’ pages of the employer’s website.

Look out for the company’s mission statement here too!

Take note of recurring messages, themes or values that appear across the site.

Perhaps there is a clear focus on company culture, or lots of information on ethical policy.

These things will help to shape your understanding of the organisation and what they look for in an employee.

Have a deep dive into information about a company, including any previous company names or the CEO and Director’s names, you could also use Companies House to conduct a bit of research.

It’s then important to make a note about what interests you in particular about this company.

Are they a new start-up? Do they operate in a sector that you’re really passionate about? Is the company culture attractive to you?

Keep these factors in mind ready to discuss them in your graduate job interview.

These are some of the best ways to research a company before an interview.

2. Find the company on social media

The majority of companies are present on social media.

A Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , Y ouTube or Instagram feed can give you great insight into what a company is like, as well as some of its key players.

You will find the company’s clients on LinkedIn and their company culture on Instagram.

Give the company a “like” or “follow” to stay up-to-date on the latest news, and to see what they are posting.

Mentioning in your interview you’ve seen their latest news from following them on their social media shows great initiative and can really impress an employer.

If you know the interviewers, search their names on LinkedIn to check their profiles for information on their role, background and interests.

You can use this information to create conversation and discuss any common interests to establish rapport showing proactivity!

Update your LinkedIn profile before you begin following others who you want to impress.

Check out our blog for 10 tips for creating a good LinkedIn profile.

3. Check out company review websites

Sites like Glassdoor, The Job Crowd and Crunchbase feature company profiles and reviews from previous employees and useful information like the number of employees at a company.

Looking at what candidates in similar graduate roles were asked in their interview will help you to prepare your answers.

Reviews can also give you further insight into company culture and what to expect from their leadership.

Search for successes and defining moments (i.e. did the company recently receive a large amount of funding?) – which, if mentioned in your interview, will be highly impressive to the employer.

4. Read the news

Staying up to date on the company’s newest products or latest industry trends will be a great conversation starter and prepare you for your graduate job interview!

Google and Google News can be a great place to access any news.

Completing a quick search will likely present you with information that may not appear on the company’s own website or social media profiles.

If you know that you can find news on the company in a specific location i.e. the Financial Times , TechUK or FinTech Weekly , make sure you’re up to scratch so that you won’t be caught out if anything is mentioned in the job interview.

5. Check out their competitors

As well as researching companies for interviews, carry out competitor research as this helps you get up to speed on current industry trends

You will have a better understanding of the company’s niche and what makes its product or service unique.

By learning how to research an employer before a job interview, you’ll be able to use it to your advantage – to help you stand out from candidates in your graduate job interview.

How to bring your research into an interview?

How to research for a job interview is important, equally you want to ensure all your research is going to make an impact by knowing how to implement it to your graduate interview questions.

Add in the relevant facts you know from your company research before interviews.

Expect questions such as:

• What do you know about our company?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• What do you think are our biggest challenges this year?
• Why does this industry interest you?

You can also bring in your research by asking the interviewer questions, such as

“I understand you’re currently working on x project, how is this going and will my role play a part in this?” or “I know you’ve recently gained X client, what kind of work will you be doing for them?”.

Visit our blog for more top interview questions to ask the employer and how to answer the ‘do you have any questions for me?’ interview question.

How to research a role?

It’s important to know how to research for an interview and the role you’re interviewing for.

Researching the role will allow you to have a better understanding of what employers are looking for specifically and what to highlight in your interview answers to impress an employer.

If you’re wondering how to impress interviewers and what things to say in an interview, here’s our helpful guide:

Read the job description carefully

Read over the job description thoroughly as this is where the key requirements, skills, and tasks required will be.

Highlight any of the most important skills employers are looking for, and bring these into your interview answers.

If you’re asked questions like “what is your understanding of the role?” you can easily comment on the day-to-day tasks of the role and what skills you’ll need to demonstrate.

Check out our blog for more tips on decrypting the job description and finding out what employers are really asking for.

Read over your CV

Read over your CV before the interview and match up how your education, experience and skills fit the requirements of the job and key skills.

When you’re asked “why do you think you’d be a great fit for the role?”, you can easily and confidently state how your previous skills and experience match X skill/requirement of the job description.

Visit other employee’s LinkedIn profiles

Larger companies are likely to have employees in the same or similar roles as the one you are applying for.

See what recent projects they are working on and what tasks they have completed by visiting their profiles.

It will help you get a sense of what the role entails and what you might be working on.

Before you go to interview for graduate jobs, it’s important to thoroughly research the company as there are many benefits of researching a company before an interview!

You will feel confident, prepared and ready to show the employer that you’re committed to the role, and knowledgeable about their business.

Find more career advice on our careers advice blog – or check out the latest graduate roles !

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How to Prepare for an Interview: A Step-by-Step-Guide

When it comes to landing your dream job, knowing how to prepare for an interview can tip the scales in your favor.

You don’t need to stress yourself out before the big day, but you should do a little research (and a lot of practice) beforehand.

Here’s a how-to guide for sprucing up your interview skills, and bidding farewell to all those job search sites once and for all.

Table of Contents

9 essential steps to prepare for a job interview.

• Do your research
• Consider why this job appeals to you
• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses
• Anticipate common interview questions
• Prepare your own questions
• Watch your body language
• Dress for success
• Practice with mock interviews
• Bring copies of your resume

How to prepare for an interview FAQs

Additional tips for video and phone interview

What to do after your interview

Once you’ve aced your pre-screen phone call from the HR department and landed an interview, put in the time to get ready for it. Here are some job interview tips to help you succeed in the process and hopefully, get the job you are vying for.

1. Do your research

One of the easiest ways to stand out in a competitive job market is to gird yourself with plenty of research. Check out the company’s websites and social media accounts, and do some recon on the people you’ll be interviewing with (LinkedIn is a good place to start). Next, learn about the company’s competitors, how it differentiates itself in the marketplace and what former team members have to say about working there. Annual reports, press releases and company review sites like Glassdoor will help guide you.

You’ll also want to spend some time thinking about how you fit into the picture. Craft a powerful message about why you’re the absolute best person for this job, and practice reciting it before your interview.

2. Consider why you want the job

This may sound cheesy, but knowing your “why” is absolutely critical for getting the job you want. Take a moment to jot down a mission statement for your career, and how it aligns with the position you’re applying for.

It’s worth practicing this “spiel” before your interview, but it’s even better to carry it around in your heart. Again, if all this sounds hokey, rest assured that, if nothing else, you’re sussing out whether or not this job is truly a good fit. And if you’re struggling to find alignment, you’ll know that it’s probably time to look for another position.

3. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses

This is one portion of the interview you can almost always count on — and the old, “my weakness is that I work too hard,” just doesn’t cut it anymore.

It can be tempting to fudge your answer, but exposing your vulnerabilities isn’t always a bad thing. Especially if you can use a past experience to show how you’ve grown, and how you’re actively engaging in self-improvement.

The same goes for your strengths. Be prepared to discuss them — and maybe even boast a little. (Bonus points if you can find a way to pepper in any certifications or other professional development opportunities you’ve undertaken.) Be sure, though, to temper that with insight on how these strengths are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

4. Anticipate common interview questions

A quick Google search can help you drum up some common interview questions to help you prepare. The blog sections of job hiring sites like ZipRecruiter are another good resource. You’ll know what exact questions your interviewer is going to ask, but thinking about how you’d respond to some of the most common ones will go a long way. Those include:

• Can you tell me about yourself?
• Do you work better in a team or on your own?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• Why are you the best candidate for this position?
• Where do you see yourself X years from now?
• What motivates you?
• Can you tell me about a failure you experienced with a previous employer? How did you handle it?

5. Prepare your own questions

You are interviewing this company just as much as they are interviewing you. Create a list of questions that will help you understand what the culture is like, and whether the role is a good fit for you. Here are a few options:

• What are the expectations for my role and my productivity?
• How would you describe the company culture?
• What are you looking for in a candidate?
• How would you measure the success of the person in this role?
• What are some challenges I could expect in this role?

6. Watch your body language

Body language is a reflection of your attitude. Practice speaking into a mirror to get a sense of how your mood, words and demeanor might come across to an interviewer.

You can take this a step further and record yourself. Rewatch the video and — even if it’s painful — send it to friends and family for feedback. Or ask your spouse, roommate or BFF to do a couple interview run-throughs, where they play the part of “interviewer” and, when you’re finished, give you some constructive criticism about how you did.

7. Dress for success

Consider wearing business attire for your interview, even if the company has adopted a more “business casual” environment. This isn’t about suppressing your personality or style, but rather, reducing distractions so that your skills and experience are the main focus of the interview. Once you’re hired, you’ll have a bit more freedom to experiment with style.

8. Practice with mock interviews

Ask friends or family to do a “dress rehearsal” of the interview process from beginning to end.

Or, if that gives you the heebie-jeebies, hire a professional career coach to do the same. Budget permitting, this is a great way to get professional-level feedback from someone intimately familiar with the hiring process.

To make the most of your mock interview, choose a location that isn’t familiar to you, like a local coffee shop. Ideally, you’ll wear the same clothes and conduct the rehearsal around the same time of day as your anticipated interview.

Be sure to ask for feedback, and repeat the process for as many rounds as you need to feel confident in your interviewing skills.

9. Bring copies of your resume

Always have copies of your resume on stand-by. You’ll probably be interviewing with a number of people at the same time — make their life easier, and save them a run to the printer, by having your resume within reach.

This advice applies to video interviews, too. Before the interview begins, be ready with a link to your resume you can drop into the chat at a moment’s notice.

How to Prepare for an Interview FAQs

How can i research the company i'm interviewing with, how can i prepare for different types of interviews, what are some effective techniques for managing nerves and stress during the interview process, how can i ensure my appearance is professional and appropriate, additional tips for video and phone interviews.

Since many interviews are conducted online these days, we think it’s helpful to add tips just for your video interview. These tips can also be used in case you have a phone interview.

Reduce or eliminate distractions

Get rid of all background clutter and noise. Interview in front of an empty wall or otherwise very neat space if possible. If you’ll have a crying baby or a barking dog around, explain to your interviewers in case there’s no way to move to another space.

Have the ideal setup

Make sure you have great lighting and exceptional audio. Consider purchasing a ring light and a good pair of earbuds so there are no echoes or problems seeing your face clearly. If you’ll be using a phone for the video feed, make sure it’s on a stable surface or a tripod to keep it from shaking.

Test your setup

Most video platforms will let you test your audio and video set-up beforehand. Arrive at your workstation early so you can prepare accordingly. Once you’re live, be sure to greet your interview panel with a smile.

Avoid filler words when speaking

Using words like “um” or “like” excessively can make you appear nervous or unprepared, so try to avoid them. Varying your tone can help you convey interest — and the fact that you’re actually paying attention — to your interviewer.

Always follow up with a thank you email (or emails, if you interviewed with multiple people).

No matter the outcome, be sure to keep your interview skills fresh and your cover letters ready. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll get the job offer of your dreams.

Summary of Money’s Guide on How to Prepare for an Interview

• Do your research – Leverage social media and platforms like Linkedin to look into the company and who you’re interviewing with.
• Consider why this job appeals to you – Think deeply about whether you’ll actually be content in the position you’re applying for.
• Analyze your strengths and weaknesses – This is a tried and true interview question, so be ready with a well-thought out answer that’s both honest and tailored to the position.
• Anticipate common interview questions – You don’t need perfect answers to every question, but having a sense of what sorts of questions may be thrown at you will help you feel calmer and better prepared.
• Prepare your own set of questions – There’s usually time baked into every interview for candidates to ask their own questions. Think about what’s important to you and fire away.
• Watch your body language – Practicing in front of a mirror can make a world of difference.
• Practice with mock interviews – Most people feel more confident after they’ve gone through a few “dress rehearsals” with friends or family members.
• Dress for success – First impressions matter, so put your best foot forward with your appearance.
• Bring copies of your resume – It makes everybody’s life easier if you come prepared with extra hard copies (or have a link at the ready if it’s a video chat).
• Additional tips for video interviews – Video interviews have risen alongside remote work, and they often require some extra prepwork.
• What to do after your interview – Send a thank you note to the interviewer/s, to leave a great impression.

© Copyright 2023 Money Group, LLC . All Rights Reserved.

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

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• Crafting a Compelling...

Crafting a Compelling Response to Why This Position Appeals to You

11 min read · Updated on February 09, 2024

What's the best answer for this phone interview question?

Prepping for an interview should include practicing how to answer one of the top phone interview questions: “why do you want this job?” Most employers ask some variation of this question, so you'd be wise to prepare for it - especially if you're unsure about what the interviewer might be trying to learn from your answer.

In this post, we'll provide some basic facts about phone interviews, explain why interviewers ask this type of question, offer some tips to help you learn how to answer it, and provide some example answers that you can use to respond during a phone interview.

Basic information about phone interviews

Below are some basic facts about phone interviews that can help you to mentally prepare for this part of the hiring process. It includes key details about why employers may use this process, how long an interview usually lasts, and some simple etiquette  that you can use as you formulate your answers to phone interview questions.

1.     Why do employers conduct phone interviews?

In a competitive labor market, many companies are inundated with dozens or even hundreds of resumes from qualified job seekers. Employers who want to streamline their hiring process may employ phone interviews to help screen applicants and narrow the list of candidates who receive in-person interviews. While this type of interview may not be as useful for identifying the ideal job candidate, employers can use them to assess each applicant's basic skill levels, personality, experience, and general suitability for employment.

2.     How long should this interview take?

As a rule, most phone interviews last somewhere between fifteen and thirty minutes. So, if you're preparing for this type of interview, make sure that you have a quiet place where you can speak for up to half an hour without interruptions or distractions.

3.     How brief should your answers be?

When you're answering phone interview questions, it's always important to remember that you're engaged in a conversation. If your answer is too long, you may frustrate the interviewer or cause them to lose interest in the conversation. To maintain a healthy and productive back-and-forth, try to prepare  answers that are no more than two minutes in length.

What the interviewer wants to know

Interviewers can ask this type of phone interview question in a variety of ways, including:

Why are you applying for this position?

Why are you interested in this role?

Why does this job appeal to you?

Regardless of the way the question is posed, the interviewer is looking for a response that tells them more about the type of value you can provide for their organization.

Initially, you may believe that the interviewer wants to learn more about your career motivations and what you're looking for in your next job. Of course, this is true to some extent. The prospective employer is often checking to see if your career ambitions align with the company's needs and vision.

However, the main purpose of this interview question is to determine whether you can be a valuable addition to the company's team. The interviewer wants to know what prompted you to apply for the position, why this position is the right fit for you, and - most importantly - why you're the right fit for the company.

Knowing this, your main goal in formulating an answer to any of these specific phone interview questions should be to effectively highlight your knowledge about the company and how you can add value as an employee.

How to answer these types of phone interview questions

It's easy to answer this type of phone interview question when you know the correct response structure. Here's a framework to follow: 

1. Highlight what you know and what excites you about the company

When you're trying to explain why you're passionate about working for the company, you need more than surface-level details to create a compelling response. You need to conduct in-depth research into the company - and that requires something more than just reciting basic details from the firm's website.

Spend some time researching the company website, reviewing its services, information page, press release pages, and company blog to identify the organization's values, its revenue model, key personnel, and any topics or stories the business cares about right now. 

You could also use LinkedIn to find out if you have any first or second-level connections associated with the company and speak with them about the role and business to gain additional insight.

To really impress, research the industry and competitors, to get a feel for the landscape and how the company fits into the bigger picture.

2. Relate your skills, experience, and achievements to the job description

Once you've shown off what you know about the company and why it appeals to you, it's time to sell why you're the right match for the job. There are two ways you can approach this.

You can focus on the skills that you bring to the table, which can be helpful if you're sliding into a similar industry or changing careers. Alternatively, you can focus on the relevant experiences and achievements  that have brought you to this point in your career and can provide real value to the company. 

Make sure that this section of your response is tailored to the key requirements listed in the job description. And remember, this question only requires a career highlight reel of one or two examples. You will have plenty of opportunities to dive into more detail about your abilities during the interview.

3. Mention how this role aligns with your career path

Finally, highlight why a move to this job makes sense for your career path. While employers appreciate that staff move on from jobs, the interviewer wants to make sure that you've considered why the job makes sense for you right now and how it will continue to make sense in the future.

Ultimately, the interviewer will feel more comfortable investing in you if they feel that you will be there for the long haul, rather than using the role as a stepping stone to some other job. 

Tips for giving the best answer

Here are a few tips and tricks for giving the best response to these types of phone interview questions:

Research the company in advance

Conducting research about the company's history, purpose, and strengths prior to the interview is essential. We advise you to do this as early as possible in your preparation, so that you have time to let the information sink in. Most of your work history, skills, and achievements will already be committed to memory, but facts about the company will be fresh and may require time to fully digest.

Be specific about why you're a good match

Study the job description meticulously while preparing your response, to get a feel for the employer's requirements and needs. Scan the job description and highlight the requirements that align with your skills. Often, those listed first in the description are the most important. 

Reference a couple of the most important and standout qualities that you possess, and that the employer needs to see in your response. If you can mimic the language used in the job description, even better, as you'll verbally draw connections between your qualifications and the requirements.

Reiterate the value you have to offer

Companies hire because they have a specific skills gap that needs to be filled, to enable business growth and financial success. Companies are usually proud to discuss benefits and opportunities for staff. However, during an interview process, the interviewer is primarily focused on assessing whether a candidate can plug the gap.

In short, remember to emphasize what you can contribute rather than what you're looking to gain.

Practice your answer

Rehearsing  for a phone interview is essential and, like all job interview questions, practicing your responses is critically important. However, that practice is even more important if you want to be prepared for the question “why does this position appeal to you?” because you'll need to remember facts about the company, too.

Start by writing down your response to the question in full, to build a picture of what the answer looks like in its entirety. This is particularly useful if you're cross-referencing your resume and the job specifications along the way.

Once you're happy with your response, convert it to bullet points to use as prompts, and practice speaking your answer aloud. You don't need to learn your prepared response by heart in its entirety - if you forget some of the words during the interview, you may panic. To avoid that, you can use the bullet point prompts to guide you as you provide a more natural answer that doesn't need to be memorized. That approach can also allow you to be more reactive to the interviewer's question in case they ask it in an unusual way.

What not to say in your response

Obviously, there are some things that you don't want to do as you answer these types of phone interview questions. 

Focusing your response on yourself and the gains you'll make from the job is a huge no-no. There are two common ways this can play out in an interview:

One example is if you speak only of the value the company can give you. That could make you appear self-centered and focused only on your own career advancement - rather than on what you can provide for the employer.

The second mistake might involve providing too many red flag reasons for wanting the job. For example, stating that you need more money, you want a better job title and promotion, or you don't like your current boss or company. Including any of that type of information could be a deal-breaker for your interview.

In addition to those two common errors, there's a third major mistake that you want to avoid in your answer: focusing too much on details that the employer can read in your resume.

Your response should allude to your experience and the value you bring to the table, but you don't need to go through every detail in this answer. The prime focus of this question should be what you know about the company and what you can contribute.

Don't spend much of your response regurgitating your employment history. Be selective of the skills, experiences, and achievements you mention, and try to be as concise as possible. 

“Why does this position appeal to you?” phone interview question and example answer

If you're not sure how best to answer the question, “why does this position appeal to you?” here's an example response that you can customize:

“The biggest priorities in my career and job search are to continue leveraging my niche industry experience and leadership skills. 

Since the job description mentions developing and leading a cross-functional team and I have been doing this on a large scale in the same industry in my current role for the last three years, it seems like a great fit. As I've learned more about this company, I've discovered that this department is still in the initial stages of its development. My experience in building out organizational structure should help me to add real value as a member of this team. 

“I believe I have the skillset and the experience to make a real difference with you, and that's why I want this position and why I believe it makes sense as my next career move.”

Last thoughts

Preparing an answer to “why does this job appeal to you?” is straightforward when you know how. The key is to take the time to organize an effective response to this and other phone interview questions prior to the interview, so that you're properly prepared to handle any queries that come your way.

If you're unsure whether your response is highlighting your enthusiasm for the position and conveying the right amount of detail to answer the question effectively, our TopInterview coaches can help you to find the right balance. 

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Ken Chase.

Recommended reading:

5 Tricky Interview Questions and How to Handle Them

Questions to ask at the end of an interview

Common Second-Round Interview Questions You Should Know

Related Articles:

How to Prepare for a Software Engineering Job Interview

27 Financial Analyst Interview Questions (with Great Answers)

27 Supervisor Interview Questions (and Great Answers)

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Interactive Map: Amazing Earth Science Facts

Three lessons from the crisis to build inclusion at work, openmind books, scientific anniversaries, acoustic pollution in the oceans, featured author, latest book, what do you eat for breakfast before a meeting, before an important meeting, such as a job interview, a public event or a presentation of a project to your bosses, what do you have for breakfast toast with jam croissants, pastries or biscuits maybe a bowl of cereal.

It may seem like an irrelevant question, but a recent study suggests that eating a breakfast loaded with rapidly assimilated carbohydrates (products rich in sugars and refined flour) causes a drop in facial attractiveness—you look worse—within a few hours. This is important given that physical attractiveness is a key factor in interpersonal relationships, whether social or professional, when it comes to generating empathy and inspiring trust. 

It has long been known that a diet rich in refined carbohydrates favours the development of various diseases and ailments : obesity, type II diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, high blood pressure and even near-sightedness, to name but a few. These disorders are caused by the development of persistent hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) and hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin levels).

In addition, hyperinsulinemia interferes with growth factors, which are responsible for tissue repair, and stimulates the synthesis of sex hormones involved in the expression and modulation of secondary sexual characteristics. These, in turn, play a major role in our appearance. It is for this reason that research has recently begun to investigate the effect of diet on physical attractiveness. 

Previous studies had already shown that the chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates can make us look less attractive. This is explained by the aforementioned effect of hyperinsulinemia on the expression of secondary sexual characteristics. And also because hyperglycaemia favours glycation, the reaction between a simple sugar such as glucose and an amino acid. When this glycation takes place in the connective tissue of the skin, it leads to the formation of amino acid-glucose-amino acid bonds, i.e. the creation of cross-links between the amino acids of different collagen and elastin fibres. This causes these fibres to lose their flexibility and limits their ability to reshape and restore the skin. The result is an accentuated deterioration and ageing that translates into us looking older and more worn out.

The effect of hypoglycaemia

But so far, we have only looked at the effects of continued consumption of refined carbohydrates. However, the new study goes a step further and suggests that a single meal rich in refined carbs also has an almost immediate effect on our appearance, resulting in a loss of attractiveness within a couple of hours. In this case, the most plausible explanation is that this type of intake of rapidly assimilated carbs leads, after some hours, to hypoglycaemia, i.e. a lack of sugar in the blood (since all the sugars consumed have already been transferred to the cells). A lack of fuel results in a feeling of low energy, which is apparently also reflected in our facial attractiveness.

In this respect, an analogy can be drawn with physical activity: chronic intake of refined carbs would be like running a marathon, which is much riskier because it causes tremendous damage to the body and requires a much longer recovery time, and after which you end up looking very haggard. On the other hand, a single consumption of carbs would be equivalent to a sprint, an effort from which you recover more quickly and with no after-effects, but which leaves you breathless and with a haggard look on your face.

And why is this effect so pronounced after breakfast (and also after mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks)? Because at lunch and dinner time we tend to eat a greater quantity and variety of foods, and therefore nutrients. And the combined intake of carbohydrates (even refined carbohydrates) with proteins and fats slows down the assimilation of the former. It can be understood as a question of nutrient circulation: the more nutrient traffic there is, the more difficult it is to move forward and find a parking space. Conversely, the breakfast, mid-morning and afternoon food intakes are likely to be dominated almost exclusively by refined carbohydrates . 

Experience how breakfast influences the way you look and feel

That said, and as the researchers themselves are keen to point out, further experimentation is needed to confirm or refute the conclusion reached: is it really true that the type of breakfast we eat determines how we look in the morning? To find out, the following “well-thought-out” experiments are proposed:

1º  For a week, write down what you eat for breakfast every day, trying to alternate between breakfasts rich in refined carbohydrates (biscuits, white bread toast with butter and jam, etc.); complex carbohydrates (wholemeal bread with tomato and oil or with hummus, etc.); and breakfasts low in carbohydrates and rich in proteins and healthy fats (omelette; cheese and turkey; yoghurt with nuts, etc.). Take a close-up selfie a few hours after breakfast. At the end of the week, ask a friend or family member to rank them according to how good you look. Is there a link between what you had for breakfast and your attractiveness? 

2º  To see if this loss of attractiveness is noticeable to the naked eye, try to find out what kind of breakfast each of your work colleagues has had each day. You see them every day and you can tell when they look better or worse. Is there any correlation between what they eat and how they look each day?

Miguel Barral

Main picture credit: carol yepes/getty images., a “thought experiment”, “mental experiment” or gedankenexperiment (as the term was first introduced, presumably in the 1810s, by the danish physicist hans christian ørsted) is essentially an exercise of the imagination used for a variety of purposes: entertainment, education, etc., and, above all, to prove or disprove a hypothesis. most often, thought experiments are communicated in narrative form—as a description or a story—in order to present the imagined situation and to establish the scenario, the protagonists and the plot in the mind of the “volunteer”, so that he or she has the necessary information and tools to carry out the experiment., related publications.

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Money latest: Jaguar Land Rover offers to pay £150 a month to cover insurance

Jaguar Land Rover is offering £150 a month towards the cost of insurance to help drivers cope with rising premiums amid a spike in thefts. Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance below - and leave a comment on any of the stories we're covering.

Wednesday 8 May 2024 17:40, UK

• Free childcare applications about to open for new age band
• When will interest rates be cut?
• Jaguar Land Rover offers £150 a month for insurance
• New mothers forced to return to work early

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If you earn significantly more or less than your partner, how do you split payments for things like housing, food, household essentials, entertainment and holidays? 

Do you both pay equally, do you split costs according to income, or do you have another method? 

Get in touch with an outline of your situation in the  box above or:

• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here .

Underwhelming box office performances have signalled cinemagoers might be starting to tire of superhero films. 

And now Disney has announced it will cut its output of Marvel content, moving to two television series and three films per year. 

The company's chief executive, Bob Iger, said Disney would "reduce output and focus more on quality" particularly when it came to Marvel. 

Some 33 Marvel films have been released since 2008, but recent releases such as The Marvels and the latest Ant-Man film have underperformed. 

The Marvels was the lowest grossing film in the franchise's history, generating just £165m - less than its budget of £219m. 

At the same time, Disney Plus revealed worse-than-expected subscriber numbers and a slowdown in its traditional broadcast television business. 

Its shares dropped 8.5% in morning trading.

Brighton Palace Pier is introducing a £1 admission fee. 

It has been implemented to cover the rising costs of maintaining, repairing and operating the 125-year-old structure, The Brighton Pier Group said. 

The group said in the last five years the annual cost had risen to £11.6m.

The admission fee will come into force from 25 May and will apply weekends in June and then the whole of July and August.

It will not apply to locals or children under two. 

Anne Ackord, chief executive of Brighton Palace Pier, said: "We have, to date, been able to offset and absorb these costs but we have now reached the point where, in our view, it is sensible to implement a small admission charge."

She said the fee would help the pier be "with us for generations to come". 

Jaguar Land Rover is offering £150 a month towards the cost of insurance to help drivers cope with rising premiums. 

The company announced the initiative will help those who own cars covered under its in-house insurance division that are registered between 1 May 2023 and 30 September 2023. 

In order for it to apply, the vehicle cannot be worth more than £150,000. 

If your car is eligible, Jaguar Land Rover has said it will make the contribution for up to three years. 

It comes after the company launched Land Rover Insurance in October after reports suggested car thefts were pushing up the costs offered by mainstream providers. 

"Customers of luxury cars and other luxury items are experiencing an increase in thefts due to organised criminal activity in the UK," a spokesperson said at the time. 

"The desirability of our luxury vehicles, coupled with concerns around thefts, has recently led to challenges in obtaining insurance cover for some clients." 

An airline entirely dedicated to dogs is arriving in the UK next month - but it will cost you more than £6,000 for you and your pet to enjoy it.

Bark Airlines will start by flying two routes - from London to New York and New York to LA. But it is hoping to add more to its roster soon. 

During the flights, your pooch will be given free access to roam the plane and will be provided with treats, as well as a beverage of their choice during ascent and descent to help with the change in pressure. 

On its website, Bark Airlines brags about being the first of its kind due to it being built "from the ground up" for dogs. 

The experience is very high end, with a concierge greeting you and your dog before the flight, a free pass through security and only 10 people per flight. 

The cabin also comes prepped with pheromones, music and lavender scented towels to help keep the beloved pets calm. 

A "just in case" bag is provided too, filled with leashes, poo bags and snacks. 

However, it comes with a hefty price tag of £6,400 for a one way ticket and under-18s are not allowed on board. 

Money struggles are forcing more than half of new mothers to return to work earlier than planned, according to a survey. 

Weekly statutory maternity pay and maternity allowance are now worth less than half the £400.40 minimum wage for a working week. 

Maternity Action, which spoke to more than 1,000 new mothers, found 62% rely on credit cards or borrowing from friends when pregnant or on maternity leave. 

Meanwhile, 59% have either returned or are planning to return to work earlier than preferred after the birth because of money worries. 

At least one mother described how it would take "years" for her to recover financially from the cost of maternity leave. 

Just 13% of women on maternity leave benefit from employers' occupational maternity pay schemes, down from 44% in 2008, according to government research. 

Some are unable to claim statutory maternity pay due to self-employment. 

Ros Bragg, director of Maternity Action, said: "The low levels of maternity pay and benefits come as a huge shock to many trying to start families. 

"We've heard from women skipping meals, relying on food parcels and becoming anaemic because they can't buy healthy food."

The French capital is about to raise the cost of public transport - impacting any city-breakers or those heading to the Paris Olympics this summer. 

Metro ticket prices will rise by more than 85% from 20 July, jumping from €2.15 (£1.85) for a single ticket to €4 (£3.43). 

The price for a city bus ticket will double from €2.50 (£2.15) to €5 (£4.29). 

It comes into force six days before the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and will remain in place until 8 September. 

The price of transport passes will stay the same, meaning regular travellers such as residents should be unaffected. 

To avoid the extra cost, you could buy a weekly travel pass. 

These are priced at €30.75 (£26.39) for zones 1 to 5 while a Navigo Day Pass costs €8.65 (£7.42) to travel across two zones. 

Tourists can also buy a Paris Pass which is aimed at people travelling for the Olympics and Paralympics. 

 The banking group has said some of its branches will close starting in September and continuing until May next year. 

Job cuts will be in the fraud operations department of the bank, central operations and staff who work at the branches earmarked for closure.

After this round of closures, TSB will have 175 branches across the UK. 

It announced earlier this year it would make cost-saving plans including cutting jobs and closing branches.

Trade union Unite said the decision by the UK high street lender was a "grave mistake".

"The decision to close a branch is never taken lightly, but our customers are now doing most of their banking digitally and we need to move to a better balance of digital and face-to-face services," a spokesperson for TSB said. 

"We remain committed to a national branch network and through innovation and integration with video, telephone, digital, branch and other face-to-face services TSB customers have more ways to bank with us than ever before."

See the list of closures here ...

A new savings account is offering customers a rate of 5.2% AER - making it a market leader. 

Raisin UK has partnered with Al Rayan Bank to offer the one-year Fixed-Term Deposit account. 

Those who deposit £1,000 can expect to have £1,052.00 in their account by the end of the year. 

The minimum deposit is £1,000, while the maximum is £85,000. 

Customers will not be able to withdraw from the account for the year. 

It is operated under Shariah principles, meaning interest cannot be earned but some of the profit the bank earns will be returned to you - meaning you can grow your savings without earning interest. 

Anna Bowes, co-founder of Savings Champion , tells the Money blog...

"It's good to see that although the markets are expecting the base rate to fall in the near future, the anticipated date for this keeps being pushed back, and this seems to have stimulated a little bit of competition among some savings providers – in particular fixed-term bonds - pushing rates upwards.

"This latest increase from Al Rayan Bank, available both directly and via the Raisin UK cash platform, is exactly what we like to see, and hopefully it will create a little more competition from other providers - pushing rates further in the right direction."

Anna points out this rate can be beaten with shorter fixes but in that instance "you'll need to find another home for your money on maturity, so fixing for a bit longer could actually realise more of a return in the end".

A district council in Prague is looking at banning "silly costumes" worn by stag and hen party groups. 

Officials from the Prague 1 area, which is largely a UNESCO World Heritage site, have said the ban is aimed at clamping down on noisy and drunken tourists. 

The area has long struggled with tourism focused solely on nightlife activities, including bar crawls. 

Local news outlet Prague Morning said the proposal was made by councillor Bronislava Sitar Baborakova, who argued the costumes exceeded acceptable social norms and were negatively impacting residents. 

However, another councillor said the proposed ban on "silly costumes" seemed "excessive". 

Prague 1 has previously implemented a nighttime ban on non-delivery vehicles in part of the area, although the measure was swiftly cancelled after criticism. 

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What marijuana reclassification means for the United States

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country.

FILE - Marijuana plants are seen at a secured growing facility in Washington County, N.Y., May 12, 2023. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple effects across the country. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

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Budtender Rey Cruz weighs cannabis for a customer at the Marijuana Paradise on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Cloud 9 Cannabis employee Beau McQueen, right, helps a customer, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Arlington, Wash. The shop is one of the first dispensaries to open under the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board’s social equity program, established in efforts to remedy some of the disproportionate effects marijuana prohibition had on communities of color. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is moving toward reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Justice Department proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis , but wouldn’t legalize it for recreational use.

The proposal would move marijuana from the “Schedule I” group to the less tightly regulated “Schedule III.”

So what does that mean, and what are the implications?

WHAT HAS ACTUALLY CHANGED? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Technically, nothing yet. The proposal must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, and then undergo a public-comment period and review from an administrative judge, a potentially lengthy process.

Still, the switch is considered “paradigm-shifting, and it’s very exciting,” Vince Sliwoski, a Portland, Oregon-based cannabis and psychedelics attorney who runs well-known legal blogs on those topics, told The Associated Press when the federal Health and Human Services Department recommended the change.

“I can’t emphasize enough how big of news it is,” he said.

It came after President Joe Biden asked both HHS and the attorney general, who oversees the DEA, last year to review how marijuana was classified. Schedule I put it on par, legally, with heroin, LSD, quaaludes and ecstasy, among others.

Biden, a Democrat, supports legalizing medical marijuana for use “where appropriate, consistent with medical and scientific evidence,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. “That is why it is important for this independent review to go through.”

Cloud 9 Cannabis employee Beau McQueen, right, helps a customer, Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Arlington, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

IF MARIJUANA GETS RECLASSIFIED, WOULD IT LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS NATIONWIDE?

Ap audio: what marijuana reclassification means for the united states.

AP correspondent Haya Panjwani reports on a proposal for the federal government to reclassify marijuana in what would be a historic shift that could have wide ripple effects across the country.

No. Schedule III drugs — which include ketamine, anabolic steroids and some acetaminophen-codeine combinations — are still controlled substances.

They’re subject to various rules that allow for some medical uses, and for federal criminal prosecution of anyone who traffics in the drugs without permission.

No changes are expected to the medical marijuana programs now licensed in 38 states or the legal recreational cannabis markets in 23 states, but it’s unlikely they would meet the federal production, record-keeping, prescribing and other requirements for Schedule III drugs.

There haven’t been many federal prosecutions for simply possessing marijuana in recent years, even under marijuana’s current Schedule I status, but the reclassification wouldn’t have an immediate impact on people already in the criminal justice system.

“Put simple, this move from Schedule I to Schedule III is not getting people out of jail,” said David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Cannabis Council.

But rescheduling in itself would have some impact, particularly on research and marijuana business taxes.

WHAT WOULD THIS MEAN FOR RESEARCH?

Because marijuana is on Schedule I, it’s been very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies that involve administering the drug. That has created something of a Catch-22: calls for more research, but barriers to doing it. (Scientists sometimes rely instead on people’s own reports of their marijuana use.)

Marijuana plants are seen at a secured growing facility in Washington County, N.Y., May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

Schedule III drugs are easier to study, though the reclassification wouldn’t immediately reverse all barriers to study.

“It’s going to be really confusing for a long time,” said Ziva Cooper, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids. “When the dust has settled, I don’t know how many years from now, research will be easier.”

Among the unknowns: whether researchers will be able to study marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries and how the federal Food and Drug Administration might oversee that.

Some researchers are optimistic.

“Reducing the schedule to schedule 3 will open up the door for us to be able to conduct research with human subjects with cannabis,” said Susan Ferguson, director of University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute in Seattle.

WHAT ABOUT TAXES (AND BANKING)?

Under the federal tax code, businesses involved in “trafficking” in marijuana or any other Schedule I or II drug can’t deduct rent, payroll or various other expenses that other businesses can write off. (Yes, at least some cannabis businesses, particularly state-licensed ones, do pay taxes to the federal government, despite its prohibition on marijuana.) Industry groups say the tax rate often ends up at 70% or more.

The deduction rule doesn’t apply to Schedule III drugs, so the proposed change would cut cannabis companies’ taxes substantially.

They say it would treat them like other industries and help them compete against illegal competitors that are frustrating licensees and officials in places such as New York .

“You’re going to make these state-legal programs stronger,” says Adam Goers, of The Cannabist Company, formerly Columbia Care. He co-chairs a coalition of corporate and other players that’s pushing for rescheduling.

It could also mean more cannabis promotion and advertising if those costs could be deducted, according to Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND Drug Policy Center.

Rescheduling wouldn’t directly affect another marijuana business problem: difficulty accessing banks, particularly for loans, because the federally regulated institutions are wary of the drug’s legal status. The industry has been looking instead to a measure called the SAFE Banking Act . It has repeatedly passed the House but stalled in the Senate.

ARE THERE CRITICS? WHAT DO THEY SAY?

Indeed, there are, including the national anti-legalization group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. President Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug policy official, said the HHS recommendation “flies in the face of science, reeks of politics” and gives a regrettable nod to an industry “desperately looking for legitimacy.”

Some legalization advocates say rescheduling weed is too incremental. They want to keep the focus on removing it completely from the controlled substances list, which doesn’t include such items as alcohol or tobacco (they’re regulated, but that’s not the same).

Paul Armentano, the deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said that simply reclassifying marijuana would be “perpetuating the existing divide between state and federal marijuana policies.” Kaliko Castille, a past president of the Minority Cannabis Business Association, said rescheduling just “re-brands prohibition,” rather than giving an all-clear to state licensees and putting a definitive close to decades of arrests that disproportionately pulled in people of color.

“Schedule III is going to leave it in this kind of amorphous, mucky middle where people are not going to understand the danger of it still being federally illegal,” he said.

This story has been corrected to show that Kaliko Castille is a past president, not president, of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and that Columbia Care is now The Cannabist Company.

___ Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers Colleen Long in Washington and Carla K. Johnson in Seattle contributed to this report.