What do you know about our company? Interview question

What Do You Know About Our Company? How to Answer Interview Questions?

The current job market has become a competitive space with many potential candidates competing for the same post. So, you need to take the necessary steps to make your application emerge from the competition. It is a great achievement if you make it to the interview process. But that’s not all. You need to prepare and be extra cautious while answering the interview questions. One common question faced by every candidate in an interview is ‘What do you know about our company?’  

What Do You Know About Our Company?

Anything becomes easy when you know the intent of ‘the why’ behind the work that is at hand. This is also the case in answering the question “What do you know about our company?” In general, this question is asked to know how well you have prepared for the interview and understand the thought of why you want to join this specific company. So, you need to show the interview panel your preparedness for the interview and convince them that you are the candidate for whom they are looking. To depict that intent from your side following these simple steps will do the charm: 

Preparedness comes with research

Knowing about the company you are taking an interview with is a great way to know what you are diving into. There will be a lot of information that you can get from the company’s website and social media platform. So having a set of questions to answer eases the process a bit. You can include the following questions:

  • What type of organization and how big is it? 
  • What kind of services or products does the company offer?
  • What are the vision and goals?
  • Why is there a need for the position that you have applied for?
  • What are the challenges that the company is facing?
  • What do you know about the person who will interview you? 

Filter out and refine key talking points

Now from your research, zero in on some key points that will help you in answering this question. Note the special achievements, recent or future product launches, some charities the company contributed to, etc. The new gain insights from your research also help you in answering other questions that might suit the needs of the company. 

Focus on the positives

Mentioning the values and mission that resonate with you and your career goals, establishes your personality. This helps you answer the reason behind you choosing this company which has become very much important in the current competitive world. 

Show your interest and zeal

By being strongly prepared for the interview from the perspective of what the company needs is itself a great way to show how interested you are in the job. At the same time, your body language plays a great role in displaying your eagerness genuinely and authentically. 

Why Is This a Common Question in The Interviews?

Certain questions are part of every interview that you attend. These common questions are the trickiest part of the interview and often play a significant role in deciding if you fit the given portfolio or not. With so many skilled candidates in the job market, it has become extremely important for companies to be choosy while selecting the right candidate for a post. Every question posed in the interview holds a lot of significance and helps the interviewers to evaluate your personality. Here are the reasons why the question- What do you know about our company? Is part of every job interview. 

  • Through this question, the interview panel wants to understand the reason why you applied for a given post and how passionate you are to work with the company. Companies never prefer to hire a candidate who knows nothing about the company or its operations. 
  • The way you answer this question shows whether you are interested in working with the company or not. On a number of occasions, candidates apply for jobs randomly, without even reading about the work description. Once hired, these candidates tend to lose the motivation to work, making them quit or stay unproductive. 
  • In addition to this, your answer to this question will exhibit your level of preparedness and your attention to every detail. This will give an idea to the interview panel on how you will execute your daily responsibilities associated with the post you have applied for.
  • Your answer also depicts your ambitions and your commitment to working for the company. In short, your answer demonstrates your level of professionalism. 

How and where to research to answer this question? 

You can only answer this question by doing thorough research about the company. But where to start from? It is always advisable to start from the company’s website. While taking a look at the company’s website, be sure to look for the following things-

  • How is the company describing itself?
  • The clients they are serving
  • Products or services offered
  • The positions they hire for

If you aren’t getting the required information for the company’s website, then proceed with searching about the company on search engines. Check for any recent news stories about the company or any press releases made by them. 

In addition to this, you can take the help of social media platforms to add more insights into your research. Start your search from professional platforms like Linkedin and Glassdoor. You can get a sea of information about the company from its social media accounts. This information includes-  

  • How is the company describing itself?
  • The news they are supporting and the information they are posting. 

You can even get your hand on some portfolios of the company’s current employees. Check if there are any shared connections between you and the employee. You can get in touch with the employee with the help of the shared connection and get even more information about the company. 

If you come across any negative reviews about the company, be brave to bring them up in front of the panel. This demonstrates your level of preparedness, besides clearing out your apprehensions. But you should be careful while putting out your question in front of the panel. Avoid asking the question in an authoritative tone. Instead, aim for placing your question forward in a polite and inquisitive tone. 

Tips to answer the question effectively

Here are some tips that will guide you in answering the question effectively.

  • Your research about the company will leave you with ample information. Trying to incorporate all this information into your answer will be a disaster. So, pick some specific facts about the company and talk about them during your interview. 
  • Answer the questions precisely and accurately. It is always better to speak out with limited information that is accurate instead of giving out inaccurate facts.
  • Always try to end your answer with a question directed to the panel to make the interview interactive. 
  • Try complementing the company in your answers by referring to the awards they have received or the reputation they hold in a specific field or by naming something they are popular for. 
  • Formulate your answers to the common questions and start practicing them at least a week before the interview. Doing this will make you confident and better prepared for the interview. 

Things to avoid while answering the question

While we have talked enough about how you should approach and answer this question, it is now time to discuss the don’ts while answering this question. 

  • If you have done zero research about the company, then the chances of you getting the job are already nullified.
  • Appearing to the interview unprepared is worse. But what makes it even worse is you lying and acting as if you know everything. Avoid covering up if you don’t have the answer to any particular question.
  • Despite doing your research, you might end up forgetting all of it due to the nervousness before the interview. It is best to remain silent instead of blabbering out inaccurate information about the company. It is always advisable to keep your preparation simple and basic. It is okay if you attend the interview with limited facts rather than no facts at all. 
  • Refrain yourself from giving out a compliment that isn’t true. 
  • Avoid bringing out any negative reviews about the company during the interview. You can pose your questions only when you are asked to do so.
  • If you have some personal contacts within the company, restrict yourself from mentioning them.
  • Avoid giving essay-type answers to the questions posed. You should be over-prepared for the interview, but this shouldn’t reflect in your answers. Keep your answers as simple and sincere as possible. 

Conclusion

The interview panel wants to know how aware you are of the company, your attention to detail, how aware you are of the strengths of the company, and how you can add up to them. All in all, your answer should reflect your true personality and highlight why you are the best fit for the available post. 

What do you know about our company? Interview question

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