01Why interviewers expect research
"What do you know about us?" is one of the most common interview questions. A specific answer shows genuine interest and helps the interviewer picture you in the role. A vague one suggests you are applying everywhere.
02Company basics & products
Start with the company website and write a one-paragraph summary in your own words.
- Main products or services and who buys them.
- How they make money (subscriptions, projects, ads, retail).
- Size, locations and founding year.
- The team or product you would join.
03Culture & team
Read the careers page and values, then look at employee reviews on Glassdoor or Indeed for patterns rather than single opinions. Look up your interviewers' professional profiles to understand their background and what they work on.
04Recent news & competitors
Search the company name in news for the last six months: funding, launches, leadership changes, layoffs or partnerships. Then learn who their two or three main competitors are, so you can talk about the market, not just the company.
Find their competitors05Questions to ask
Use what you learned to ask questions that show insight:
- "I saw you launched X this year. How has it changed this team's priorities?"
- "How does this role help you compete with Y?"
- "What would success look like in the first six months?"
06Prep with Hazana
Use Website Scan for a quick, sourced profile of the company, then Career Intelligence's job check to compare your resume with the job description and see which skills to highlight and which gaps to prepare for.
Check your fit for the jobFree tools for this guide
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I spend researching?
About an hour for a first interview and a little more for final rounds, focusing on the team and role.
Should I mention negative news?
Only if it's relevant, and frame it as a curious, respectful question about how the team is handling it.
What if the company is small with little online?
Focus on the website, the founders' profiles and their customers or competitors. Asking smart questions matters even more.