Employers love to ask, “what do you know about our company?” in the job interview.
What You Think You Know About the Web Is Wrong. By Tony Haile March 9, 2014 5:00 PM EDT I f you’re an average reader, I’ve got your attention for 15 seconds, so here goes: We are. What you do with your free time: Employers want to see how you spend your time outside of work and in what ways you like to develop your personal and professional goals. Saying your favourite website is Instagram or Tumblr might show that you like being entertained, but the interviewer may take it as a sign that you waste time on social media. How your business is unique. Answer the question 'Who are you?' As interestingly and compellingly.
There are a few things they want to hear, and a few things they do *not* want to hear.
So in this article, I’m going to reveal how to give a great answer to this question… while avoiding the potential traps and mistakes that can cost you the job.
Then we’ll look at 3 sample answers for “what do you know about our company?” so you practice and come up with your own answer.
Let’s get started.
Why Interviewers Ask “What Do You Know About Our Company?”
There are a couple of reasons why employers ask this question in interviews.
The first reason is they want to make sure you did some research before applying. They don’t want someone who’s applying to 200 positions per day without even looking or caring what type of job they get.
Why? Well, employers want someone who will be motivated and work hard in their job. And they figure if you have thought about your job search and have specific reasons for applying, then you’re more likely to really like their job.
Whereas, if you’re just applying randomly to as many jobs as you can find online, there’s a greater chance you won’t like their job… which means you might leave, lose motivation, etc.
That’s how employers see it.
So companies ALWAYS want someone who’s being careful and selective in their job search.
If you don’t know anything about their company, why did you want to interview? Or how do you know you won’t hate working for them?
So they ask, “what do you know about the company?” to see how much research and preparation you’ve done for this interview. And to impress them, you need to be ready to get specific and name facts and details you read about their company.
Now let’s look at how…
How to Answer “What Do You Know About Our Company?”
The best way to answer, “what do you know about our company?” is to name specific facts you found while researching the company that demonstrate you understand their business and got to know their organization before applying. You can name facts you discovered on the company website, social media channels, news articles and more. Dragon warriorsars mysteriorums rpg sanctuary.
Here’s an example of what a good answer will sound like. We’ll look at more sample answers later in the article, too.
“What do you know about the company” example answer:
“I read on your website that you’re one of the top data security companies in the US, and that you serve more than 40 Fortune 500 companies including some of the biggest tech companies like Microsoft and IBM. I also read a recent news article that mentioned you’re looking to expand into providing these services for financial institutions as well. Is that right? And can you tell me more about that?”
This is a great sample answer for, “what do you know about this company?” because it shows you did research and are able to name specific facts about their company. You’re also going to stand out by ending your answer with a question for the interviewer.
This turns the interview into more of a back-and-forth conversation which will help the hiring manager see you as a colleague – and someone they should hire!
What NOT to Say in Your Answer
There are a couple of things that will definitely not impress the interviewer when they ask “what do you know about our company?”
If you know absolutely nothing, it’ll kill your chances at getting the job.
If you did no research and try to lie and cover it up, it’s even worse. So make sure you actually know a few things about the company. It only takes 5 minutes of research to prepare for this question.
And finally, saying things that aren’t accurate or correct will also hurt your chances of getting hired.
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It’s better to know one or two facts that you’re sure about than to walk into the interview with 10 facts and get half of them wrong.
So keep it simple and just know 2-3 basic facts about the company.
Facts to Mention When Answering This Question
I mentioned above it only takes a few minutes of good research to have a few facts you can respond with.
But what exactly should you look for, and where?
To prepare for this question, I recommend going on the company website and looking for:
- What do they sell or how do they make money?
- Who is their typical customer?
- Approximately how many employees do they have?
- When were they founded?
- Who are some of their biggest competitors, and do they do anything to differentiate themselves?
- Do they have a mission statement on the company website? What is it?
Those are just a few examples. You can research other areas of the company too. You just need a couple of facts you can respond with when they ask this question.
Just show them you read about them and know the company you’re interviewing with. That’s the goal.
Use their social media profiles to try to learn more about the company.
You might find some unique information here about recent developments, and mentioning this can help you stand out from other job seekers when you answer what you know about the company.
Search Google News for the company name.
This will help you find even more relevant, new information about the company like new projects, announcements, growth reports, and other great information you can name to show that you took the time to know their company.
Sample Interview Answers for “What Do You Know About Our Company?
Now that you know what to say, and what not to say, let’s look at more sample interview answers for when they ask what you know about their company.
We looked at one example answer earlier, but I want to give you a few more so you can be 100% confident that your own answer sounds right.
These are all good answers that would impress the interviewer. Try to come up with an answer similar to these when you prepare for your interview.
“What do you know about our company” sample answer #1:
“I know you’re one of the biggest providers of payroll software, and you were founded in 2012 when your CEO realized many small businesses spend far more than they should on payroll, which hurts their growth. The story on your website’s “about us” page was interesting, and it seems like there’s a big need for this product based on how quickly you’ve grown. I read that you doubled in size last year, and you are on track to do it again this year.”
“What do you know about our company” sample answer #2:
“I know that your company is one of the largest investment banks in the US. Your headquarters is in Raleigh, NC, and you have 25,000 employees worldwide based on what I read on your website. I’ve known about your company for a couple of years now because I’ve been working in this same industry. Your company is one of the names I think of in this industry, which is why I was excited to apply for this job when I saw it posted on your website.”
If you follow the example answers above, show them you’ve done your research and know what type of company you’re interviewing with, you’ll do fine on this question.
This is not one of the more difficult interview questions to answer, and as long as your response sounds similar to the two sample answers we just looked at, then you’ll impress the employer.
One Secret Strategy to Stand Out when Answering, “What Do You Know About the Company?”
You now know the basics of how to answer this interview question. However, there’s one tactic you can use to really make them love you when you answer this.
Here it is…
If you can compliment them or show exactly why you were excited to apply for their job and interview at their company, it’ll make your answer even better.
You’ll notice this is happening in sample answer #2 above.
When you tell a hiring manager, “Your company is one of the names I think of in this industry,” it’s a huge compliment. Get international driving license bangladesh.
It’s going to make them feel proud about working for this company, and it’s going to reassure them that you’ll be motivated and work hard in this job!
There are 5 major things that hiring managers look for in interviews, and one of the biggest is: How badly do you want this job?
Most job seekers think about proving they can do the job. But employers won’t hire you unless you also prove you want the job.
Employers are TERRIFIED of hiring someone who quits after a few months, doesn’t try hard, brings a toxic attitude, etc… even if you have the necessary experience.
Don’t give a compliment that isn’t true, though…
If you’re talking to a bank with fewer than 150 employees and you tell them they’re one of the biggest names you know in banking, they’re going to think you’re crazy.
There are a lot of ways to compliment a company, so pick one that’s true. It doesn’t have to be their size. You can say, “I know somebody who used to work here, and they had great things to say about your company culture and how you support your employees.”
You could compliment them for being well-known in the local community if that’s true. You can compliment them on their rapid growth if they’re a small firm but growing fast (You’d discover this type of info by searching the company on Google News, etc.)
It all comes back to showing you’ve done research and are really excited to be talking to this company. That’s how to get them excited to talk to you!
If you follow the steps and sample answers above, you’ll have a winning answer for, “what do you know about our company?”
Answering “What Do You Know About Our Company” – Quick Instructions
- Pick two or three specific facts about the company that you can tell the interviewer
- You can research facts on the company website, social media profiles, or by searching the company name in Google News
- Keep your answer short and concise; it’s better to name two facts that you know extremely well than to mention five or six facts that aren’t 100% accurate
- Consider ending your answer with a question directed back at the interviewer. This will turn the interview into a more relaxed, back-and-forth conversation
- Never say that you aren’t sure or don’t know anything about the company. This will get you rejected in the interview
- Try to compliment the company when answering what you know about them. You can do this by naming something they’re well-known or well-respected for
- Practice your answer; nothing comes out perfect the first time
So you want your website to make you look big. More power to you.
But the business experts I talked to recently say small is cool with customers, too. Small businesses, they say, have a personality, flavor and sensibility that big businesses can't match. And when it comes to what you put on your website, they urge: Don't be afraid to tout your smallness.
'Small businesses can have more fun with their sites, more so than large corporations,' says Alice Bredin, president of Bredin Business Information, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, company that helps large business-to-business companies market themselves to small businesses. 'A small-business site needs to include something that reflects the creativity and personality of its owner.'
Maybe you're a couple working side-by-side in a spare bedroom or a fourth-generation entrepreneur working to someday hand it over to a son or daughter. Maybe you're putting yourself through grad school. Or you operate from a remote site in the hinterlands and you use only recycled materials. Presented well on a home page and/or an 'About Us' section, all of these may have unique selling points to customers.
'People want character; it has meaning,' adds Kelly Cutler, chief executive of Marcel Media, a Chicago-based Web advisory firm. 'How folksy you get depends on your industry.' An attorney may not want to project an image of him or her working on a leather sofa with a dog curled up nearby. But that may work well for an artist or craftsperson, even an architect, Cutler and others say.
Whatever your industry, 'Tell your story online,' Cutler says. Customers want to know who you are and, if you lead a team, who is on it and what they do. 'You must talk about the team,' Bredin seconds. 'When there is nothing [on your site] about who you are or who's on your team, people wonder about whether you are a good company to buy from.'
Here are the 10 most important things these experts say customers want to know:
- How your business is unique
Answer the question 'Who are you?' as interestingly and compellingly (and honestly) as possible. This includes writing management bios that mention your expertise, years of experience and any unique attributes or details that may set you apart from others.
You need to answer, Bredin says, 'What is unique about your business? Why should I buy from you?' This is missing from many business sites because the owners haven't done the strategic thinking necessary to figure that out, she says.
Be concise, too, Cutler adds. 'You don't need to write a novel.' - A clear sense of what your company offers
'It's incredible how many sites you visit and you're not sure what the company offers,' Bredin says. Make it a priority on your home page to provide at least general information about your products and/or services, with links to specifics on a Products page.
Many service-oriented companies, Cutler says, are concerned about divulging too much information about their offerings, for competitive reasons. Some also feel that consumers will have no reason to contact them by phone if they get all they need from the website. 'There's a balance that needs to be reached' in giving the potential customer enough info to make a buying decision, she says. More often than not, consumers will not contact a company for the missing product information--they'll just move on to a competitor. - Contact information, including a phone number and physical location
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many companies are purposely vague about their location. Some prefer to do all of their business online and see no need to publish an address or phone number. Others are home-based or they worry that giving a street address or hometown will somehow hinder them.
'This is a must, and it's one small way of building credibility and trust' with the consumer, says Wayne Porter, co-founder of ReveNews, an online marketing publication, and former senior director of research at FaceTime, a business security solutions provider. 'A phone number, a street address and even pictures go a long way toward building credibility.'
Showing a physical location, even one that no one will ever visit, comforts a customer that your business is real and legitimate, Bredin says. Provide a phone number that maps to that location, rather than just an 800 number, she advises. - Third-party validation
This means customer testimonials, client lists, case studies, awards and recognition you've received, positive news clippings and the like. Potential customers indeed want to know who you do business with, and what current customers have to say about their experiences. Such items 'forge the underpinnings of trust,' Porter says.
Client lists are especially important if your customers are businesses. 'If you've got some big-name customers, people like to see that,' Cutler says. But make sure you get approval from those you list as clients, she adds.
Porter adds that having a presence on social networking sites and blogs, especially those serving your industry, is an increasingly popular form of validation among customers. 'Social networking now has strong validation,' he says. - Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
SSL is an encryption system that helps protect the privacy of data exchanged between a customer and a website. If you have an e-commerce site that takes credit card information, customers want to know that their sensitive data is encrypted. Get SSL if you don't have it. If you do, let customers know that and about any other safeguards you proactively take. - Ease of use and navigation
If people can't find it, they can't buy it. Porter advises keeping sites 'crisp, clean, and easy to navigate,' but also for site owners to study traffic and usage patterns to adjust their sites based on what visitors are coming for. 'The ability to search a site is very important,' he says. 'Businesses should study their search data to see if there are trends and what to make front and center.' - Clear guidance on your processes
Let customers know, step-by-step, important things such as how to order--and where to go and what to do should something happen out of the ordinary. Customers also want to know your shipping costs and procedures and how they can get status reports. (Don't list your shipping costs and procedures after people enter their credit card information, Cutler urges.) Last but not least, customers want to know how you handle complaints and problems, return procedures and whether you have a money-back guarantee.
Your processes can be described in a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page or separate 'how to order,' shipping and/or confirmation pages. Include a way customers can contact your business or fulfillment agency for more information. - An ability to give feedback
Encourage feedback about your products and services, your ordering process and your site in general, by providing a feedback mechanism--either feedback forms or e-mail links. Not every small business prefers to offer this, in some cases because of resource constraints. 'You definitely want to look at how and what feedback to gather, and you should consider offering an incentive or perk [to the customer],' Porter says. 'You might get some good stories to feature on your site or in your blog.' - Clear calls to action
Customers want signs or buttons in order to act, be it 'Buy now' or 'Sign up for our newsletter' or 'Click here for more information.' But many small-business sites don't provide calls to action or they don't present them clearly enough, Cutler says. 'This is one of the biggest things that nags me,' she says. 'If you have a captive audience, this is the time to grab them!' - Special offers and personalization
By personalizing a sale with a special offer, incentive or coupon, small businesses can gain an edge on their bigger counterparts, Porter says. 'This can be as simple as a hand-written thank-you note, free gift wrap services or a special offer for repeat business.
'Having a personalized touch,' he says, 'is something small businesses can do that many big businesses can't.'
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