When an employer asks “What do you know about us?” or “Why do you want to work for us?” Where do you begin? If your go-to prep consists of learning off and then reciting the ‘about us’ page of their company website, I’m afraid you are on the wrong track!
Companies want more value added than that and want to know that you understand their business. They want to know what you know about:
- recent developments in the company
- where they make their money – products/services
- who their main competitors are
- what you think the key challenges for the future are (for the company and the industry)
Even better if you can arrange an informational interview with an employee working in the role or department you are applying for to find out more about the company culture and values. If they are doing the same or similar role, you can find information like what a typical day looks like or the priorities for the department.
Preparing your answer using these focus areas will demonstrate to the interviewers that you have an understanding of their company/business and comes with the bonus of showing your analytical skills rather than just learning off mundane facts and figures.
Here is a link to additional resources to support you in your career:
