TLDR: Checklist is below the article
According to the research of many recruiting companies, there’s one common mistake most candidates make. It’s something they think doesn’t matter, but it holds them back from landing their dream job in a big way.
Its doing a profound research on the company that you are being interviewed for. In this article I’m writing why it is so important when preparing for interviews—and how you can do it like a spy. With the right preparation, you’ll walk into the interview knowing exactly what to expect. You’ll feel confident because you’ll know, more or less, what questions might come your way.
Most People Skip This Step
A shocking number of people don’t even check the job description thoroughly. They don’t research the company on social media or learn about its values, projects, or culture before an interview.
Here’s the thing: preparation isn’t just about having a plan—it’s about the act of planning. Famous figures like Eisenhower said it best after D-Day: “Plans are nothing, but planning is everything.”
I heard a great story about a general whose messenger rushed into his chamber, shouting, “Sir, we’re under attack!” The general calmly replied, “Second cabinet, second drawer. There’s a war protocol—just follow it.” Then he went back to sleep as if nothing had happened. That’s the power of preparation. It lets you handle chaos with calm and confidence.
Know Your Opponent
Think of an interview as a boxing match. Before stepping into the ring, you need to study your opponent. When a boxer has a fight scheduled in a week or two, they don’t waste time trying to overhaul their technique or build their endurance from scratch. Instead, they focus on analyzing their opponent’s weaknesses and perfecting one or two combinations. Those well-polished moves could be the knockout punch that wins the fight.
The same logic applies to interviews. If you have just a few days—or even a single day—before your interview, you won’t have time to master hundreds of algorithms or create an impressive portfolio. But what you can do is research the company and polish your answers to likely questions.
Focus on understanding the company’s pain points, recent achievements, and the skills they’re looking for. Knowing this will allow you to tailor your responses and stand out from other candidates.
Why Short-Term Efforts Matter
Some people think, “It’s too late. The interview is tomorrow—there’s no point in doing anything now.” But this is where most people go wrong. Even in a short time, you can make a significant impact. Researching the company’s website, checking their social media, and learning about their recent projects can help you craft thoughtful questions and answers.
It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things.
Final Thoughts
Good preparation can make the difference between walking into an interview feeling nervous and unprepared—or stepping in with confidence, ready to show you’re the perfect fit. Remember, even a small effort can lead to a big result. So, next time you have an interview lined up, don’t skip the research. It might just be the knockout move that lands you your dream job.
What’s your go-to strategy for interview prep? Share your thoughts in the comments!
CHECKLIST
This is a resource investigation checklist. Go through each resource and look for the information you need. The recruitment process typically involves three or more stages, and your focus will shift depending on the stage.
Before the technical interview: Focus on information related to the company’s tech stack, practices, methodologies, and any technical details that are relevant.
Before the culture fit interview: Look for insights into the company’s values, hobbies, and workplace culture. Identify similarities and things that can help you make a strong impression and gain an advantage.
Recruiter’s call (ask questions about technologies they use, more details the better)
Job Description (read carefully)
Company Website
LinkedIn – Company Page
LinkedIn – Employee Profiles (Relevant Team Members)
Glassdoor (for company reviews, salary ranges, and interview experiences)
Indeed (for company reviews and insights)
GitHub (to check if they have open-source projects, contributions, or code repositories)
Tech Blogs or Engineering Blogs (company or employee-run blogs)
Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/TikTok/Youtube (for company culture and news)
PimEye/Reverse Image Search (to gather additional information on interviewers or company leaders)
Reddit (Subreddits like r/cscareerquestions or r/techcareers) (company-specific discussions, tech stacks, interview processes)
Good luck on your next interview, and remember: go deeper, stay concise, and always leave a lasting impression!
More secrets you can find here in my:
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Senior Software Engineer with over 7 years of experience and entrepreneurial background. Most often, apart from delivering good quality code on time, responsible for introducing good practices, teaching programmers and building team bonds andestablishing communication on the line of development-management. Privately Kākāpō and Wombat enthusiast, traveler and retired acrobat.
