6 smart ways to research a company before your job interview

In a two-part series, starting today, we bring you crucial career advice and job search secrets from Capt Partha Samai, group head of Human Resources at AGS Transact Technologies.

Read on and find out how you can make an informed career decision.

How many of us really read about a company before an interview?

More often than not, we take a quick glance at the official website minutes before the interview and take the written word for granted.

We do not dig deeper and find out if there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Read on and find out why it is important to research the company before your job interview. Freshers, please take special note of these:

Understand the job profile you’re applying for

What are the job requirements, responsibilities you’ll undertake, and who you'll be replacing in the organisation.

Be sure that there's no mismatch in the profile you applied for and the one you're being interviewed for.

Understand the organisation

Check the official website, recent newspaper reports, and balance sheets to understand the organisation's goals and style of functioning.

This information should help you face the interviewer better.

Evaluate the company’s growth story

Find out how the company performed in the last few years.

Has its overall turnover increased, suffered or shows stagnancy?

You must know whether the organisation you intend to join is financially stable or not.

Evaluate its recent activities carefully

Find out about the organisation’s recent investments, mergers, announcements, launches etc to understand more about its expansion and future plans.

This should give you a fair idea of what’s in store -- whether it plans to diversify into other markets, or whether it is being taken over by a different management and what it means for your future.

Interact socially

Every big organisation has an active social account.

The Android generation of candidates should try and be a part of these social groups -- both official and unofficial to find out more about the company and its working style.

For example, if you get a job offer for software developer from Infosys Bangalore, join groups like 'Java/Oracle/SQL professionals in Bangalore' on LinkedIn and Facebook.

These community members can help you with honest feedback on what to expect from the company you intend to join.

Connect with alumni

Your school, college and b-school pals working in the same company can be the best source of information.

Interact with them and find out what they know of the company that has offered you a job.

Image Courtesy: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters