What Do You Know About Our Company? How to Answer

In most cases a job interview will start off with the same two questions:

“Can you tell us about yourself?”
“What do you know about this company?”

How you answer these questions are extremely important. Whilst today we will not be discussing the first on the list, the advice we will provide will be just as relevant and allow you to answer these two inquiries from the hiring manager effectively, and almost all other questions following. What we will share with you today is probably the holy grail of acing the job interview.

So let us firstly discuss how this question can be phrased by the hiring manager, as there is more than one way of asking it:

“What can you tell us about this role/company?”
“Do you know what we do here?”
“Why did you apply to this position?”
“What do you know of this role?”

Why Employers Ask “What Do You Know About Our Company?”

Now, let us break down why you are even asked this type of question as you may expect the interviewer to tell you about the role and company anyway…and they will, however, it does not mean you should not come prepared knowing key details yourself.

(If you want to know more about interview questions and why you are asked certain questions, then download our free Understanding Interview Questions guide here. It breaks down over 100 questions, along with the reasons behind them and top answers to give.)

You are asked this particular query for one very specific reason – to see how dedicated you are to the position. If you are indeed very interested in the role, you would be doing as much research as possible to find out about the duties and the organisation itself. By doing this homework shows you go over and above and willing to do the research required to secure your position with the company. Believe us when we say, not every candidate will come prepared for this question.

Doing this research is also beneficial for you personally. It will give you a base in asking your own questions during the interview (join our newsletter to be the first to know when we launch our ’63 best questions to ask in a job interview’ guide). Doing your research will also allow you to understand about the company culture, views, values and identify any red flags well before your interview.

Company Research Before Interview: Where to Look

The next thing you need to consider is where are you going to find this key information about the organisation and role?

Firstly – go direct to the source; the company website. There you should find a whole bunch of relevant information such as the company views, values, staff, what they do (products/service), history, and so forth.

Secondly – do a general online search and see if any publications are out there about them – good or bad. Perhaps they won an ’employee of the year award’ or had a ‘unfair work cover claim’ against them. Either way, it is good for you to know.

And thirdly – network. Reach out to people you know who work or have worked in the company. If you do not know anyone, then go on social media such as LinkedIn. There you will have a network of individuals who currently and have previously worked in the company. See if you can connect with anyone and get feedback about the company culture and more.

How to Answer “What Do You Know About This Company?”

So you have a head full of facts, data and a much better understanding of the organisation, industry and perhaps even the role. How do you translate this into a successful answer?

The best thing to do is not spit out the information you know like a drill sergeant. Do not just repeat the website verbatim. Heck, do not even rephrase it. Instead, tailor your answer by bringing it all back to you. Because what is the key to a job interview? Selling yourself!!!

It is not always the most qualified candidate who gets the job offer; it is the one who is able to present an image of oneself in terms of cultural fit, ability to bring in value and the ability to grow within the role.

Tailor Your Interview Answer to Your Values and Career Goals

Very simple, find one or two aspects about the company that you identify with. Perhaps it is the company’s mission, vision or cultural focus. Bring it back to how you relate to it, how it aligns with your vision or values, and your desire to work for such an organisation.

What Do You Know About Our Company?” Answer Example

“I know the key statistics about the organisation such as it was founded in 1998 by Mr Tom Smith. I know the new CEO is Mr James Vern and that the company has doubled in size since 2016. However, what really stood out to me was the companies values towards equality and individual growth and development. I would like to work for an organisation that sees value in their employees and helps nurture and foster their careers. As a person who is seeking to grow my career into a senior level, working for an organisation such as this will give me the confidence and opportunities to do so. Knowing that the company culture and environment is one that is supportive really aligns with my personal values to be inclusive and to be part of an encouraging team.“

So what just happened?

What happened is, this response not only allowed you to share key information you know about the organisation, you were able to tie it back to yourself providing the hiring manager more information about you as an individual such as – you are one that works well in a team and with others. It provided your career aspirations – you want to develop into a senior role, and it shows that your views and values align with the company – this then makes you a perfect cultural fit.

So in one answer you were able to display your knowledge in the company, your cultural fit and your career ambitions. Now consider how you can answer almost all the questions in such a way!

If you need help with your interview questions, then we have a great Interview Coaching Package for you. Simply click HERE to see.

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Why do interviewers ask “What do you know about our company?”

They want to see whether you’ve taken the time to learn about the company before the interview. It also helps them understand why you’re interested in the role and what appeals to you about working there.

How should I answer “What do you know about our company?”

Share a few things you’ve learnt about the company and explain what caught your attention. Go beyond repeating what’s on their website by connecting what you’ve found to your experience or what you’re looking for in your next role.

What should I research about a company before an interview?

Look into what the company does, who its customers are and what it says about its values. Read the job description, check its LinkedIn page and look for recent news to get a better idea of what’s happening in the business.

How much should I know about a company before an interview?

You don’t need to know every detail. Aim to understand what the company does, what matters to it and how the role fits in. You should also be able to explain why you’d like to work there.

Should I memorise my answer before a job interview?

Prepare a few key points, but don’t worry about learning an answer word for word. Practising out loud can help you feel more comfortable and give you room to respond naturally on the day.

Can I mention company values in my interview answer?

Yes, if they mean something to you. Choose a value you can honestly relate to and explain why it matters, perhaps with an example from your own experience.

Where can I find information about a company before an interview?

Start with the company’s website and LinkedIn page, then check recent news from reliable sources. If you know someone who works there or has worked there before, you could also ask about their experience.

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