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Company & Industry Research for the Job Search: Interview Stage

Explore and find relevant information from across Saint Louis County Library and the wider internet for increased knowledge on companies and industries where you may be seeking employment.

Interview Stage


When the hiring party sorts through all the applications you will hopefully be called for an interview (or several interviews) and asked questions that might be about the company, the industry, or the profession. You might also be presented a chance to ask your own questions.

In this part do not overwhelm the interviewer(s) with too much knowledge, and also don't make what you say a listing of facts. Make it natural and easy when talking about the position. But balance this with solid knowledge of the business, and be careful about how you might talk about potential negatives; shine a wonderful light on these opportunities. Also getting to know a bit more about the potential interviewers, and their history, might be helpful.

Some (but not all) possible questions - for you to ask or to be asked - to prepare for in this research are:

  • "Why do you want to work with us?"
  • "What have you heard bout us?"
  • "Are you comfortable in a company of our size?"
  • "Why/How would you fit in here?"
  • "How do you see the future of this industry?"
  • "What is an appropriate range of pay for this position?"

First Research

Identify and craft high quality and informed interview questions and insights for executives in various roles in an industry.

Review the "Call-prep" section to see questions to have at the ready.

Look at the "Executive Insight" and "Critical Issues" section for current thoughts on the industry. Perhaps have one of the questions presented in these sections at the ready.

Occupational and Wage Statistics

Not-for-profits

Nonprofit Companies

You may be seeking employment at a not-for-profit company. Many of these companies have more freely available company information, such as full tax returns and other statements. As with any pr profit companies you can use these to review the financial stability of an organization.

Quickly look up information about a company.

  • Sales/Revenue
  • Employee size
  • Executives' and principals' names
  • Corporate tree
  • See competitors

Use some of these solid data points to show knowledge of the company, and what industry they may be classified as.

Quickly look up information about a company.

  • Sales/Revenue
  • Employee size
  • Executives' and principals' names
  • Corporate tree
  • See competitors

Use some of these solid data points to show knowledge of the company, and what industry they may be classified as.

Research recent industry reports.

Quickly look up information about a company particularly some international companies, including occasional SWOT analyses.

  • Sales & Revenue
  • Employee size
  • Executives' and principals' names
  • See competitors
  • View recent news
  • Build a company report

50 Tough Interview Questions

Newspapers

Use these databases to explore thousands of current and recent news sources from across the globe. See if the company has had any recent appearances in the news. it may not be wise to focus on any specific events (particularly if likely seen as a negative), but use this knowledge to highlight your skill pertaining to any future with the company.

Search for local companies in the local news, any changes happening? Use the lists to see how the company stands amongst other regional peers.

Use the following SLCL LibGuides to learn more about crafting the appropriate documents.