Before any interview, I always make it a point to dive into the person's LinkedIn profile and recent media mentions. It's like setting the stage for a good conversation, knowing their career journey, their interests, or even what they've posted recently helps me understand their mindset and priorities. I'm not just looking for a list of job titles; I'm trying to get a sense of their values, passions, and any personal or professional challenges they might be dealing with. This prep work is so useful because it helps me approach the interview in a more natural, connected way. I don't just want to ask questions off a script, I want the conversation to feel like it flows and evolves. If I know they've just launched a new product, I'll bring it up as a natural segue, or if they've shared something inspiring, I might comment on that to create a sense of connection. It's all about making the interview feel less transactional and more like a real exchange of ideas. The real magic comes from using this research to adjust the tone and pace of the conversation, so it doesn't feel like a cold Q&A. It also makes it easier to ask questions that dig a little deeper, making the person feel comfortable and open up more, which always leads to better insights. It's about being genuinely interested in the person and letting that curiosity shape the conversation!
Before an interview, I always research the interviewer through their LinkedIn profile or company bio. This helps me understand their professional background, achievements, and current role, providing valuable context. For example, knowing their key projects or specialties can guide me to tailor my responses effectively. It also gives insight into their values and priorities, aligning my answers to resonate more deeply. Beyond work, if they've shared personal interests or causes they support, it brings a human touch to the conversation. This preparation builds confidence and creates room for meaningful dialogue. It shows respect for their time and demonstrates my genuine interest in connecting.
LinkedIn activity analysis has been my most effective pre-interview research strategy. I focus specifically on their recent posts, comments, and article shares from the past 2-3 months. This reveals their current professional interests and priorities far better than just scanning their work history. For instance, when interviewing for a marketing role, I noticed my interviewer had shared several articles about AI in content creation. During our conversation, I naturally wove in my experience using AI tools for content optimization, which sparked an engaging discussion about the future of marketing automation. This alignment with their current interests helped me stand out from other candidates who only discussed traditional marketing approaches. The key is to look beyond the basic profile information and understand what professionally excites them right now. This creates natural conversation points and demonstrates genuine interest in their perspective.
As a Senior Software Engineer at LinkedIn, one thing I do to prepare for an interview is to research the candidate's background by reviewing their LinkedIn profile, previous work, and any public contributions, such as articles or open-source projects. This helps me understand their professional journey, technical expertise, and interests, so I can tailor my questions to their experiences. Having this information allows me to ask more personalized, relevant questions and establish rapport quickly. It also gives me insight into their problem-solving approach and helps me assess how their skills align with the position. Additionally, knowing their career goals helps guide the conversation towards areas they are passionate about, which can make the interview feel more engaging and mutually beneficial.
I always take time to analyze the company's website and search presence, just like I do for my SEO clients, to understand their digital challenges and opportunities. Last week, I noticed a potential employer's site had great content but poor mobile optimization, which helped me thoughtfully discuss how my experience could address their specific needs. I've found that showing this kind of preparation helps turn interviews into collaborative discussions about real solutions.
Before any interview, I conduct a deep dive into the interviewer's LinkedIn profile and professional history. This research uncovers shared connections, achievements, or initiatives that can be leveraged to establish rapport and guide meaningful conversation. Reviewing an interviewer's LinkedIn profile not only provides insight into their career trajectory but also reveals shared interests or mutual connections. For example, noticing their involvement in a recent public sector initiative or a professional certification can serve as a conversational touchpoint. These details demonstrate that you've done your homework and foster a more personal and engaged dialogue, setting a positive tone. During an interview with a government HR leader, I referenced their work on a notable "Silver Tsunami" initiative I'd seen on LinkedIn. This immediately resonated, leading to a productive discussion about their challenges. The preparation highlighted my understanding of their needs and left a strong impression. Always spend 15 minutes researching the interviewer's LinkedIn profile and recent activities. Note key achievements or shared interests. Use this knowledge to craft relevant questions or references during the interview, demonstrating both preparation and genuine interest.
Before any meeting or interview, I always research the person's professional background and recent activities. One of the most effective methods I've used over the years is diving into their LinkedIn profile and public appearances in articles, podcasts, or webinars. For example, I recently prepared for a consultation with the CEO of a tech startup who was struggling with scaling his business. I noticed from his LinkedIn profile that he previously worked for a Fortune 500 company, which meant he likely had experience in structured environments but might find the chaotic nature of a startup overwhelming. Additionally, I found a podcast where he spoke about valuing team culture but admitted to difficulties maintaining it during rapid growth. This preparation allowed me to tailor the conversation to his unique pain points. I approached our meeting by acknowledging his corporate experience and linking it to solutions for structuring his startup for growth without losing agility. By mentioning the podcast insights, it showed I'd done my homework, which built trust quickly. With over 20 years of coaching and insights from my study of 675 entrepreneurs, I was able to provide specific frameworks that resonated with his values. As a result, we not only addressed his immediate scaling challenges but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable growth plan aligned with his leadership style. The extra effort in research created a more meaningful dialogue and ultimately a highly productive outcome.
I make it a habit to look up recent projects or developments they've been involved with on local real estate websites and news outlets, which has been game-changing for my conversations at Southern Hills Home Buyers. Just last month, I discovered an interviewer had worked on a major property rehabilitation project, similar to ones I'd managed, which gave us an instant connection point. By understanding their background, I can share relevant examples from my own experience that directly relate to their interests and expertise.
I've found the best single source of research for an interview is LinkedIn. Beyond the ability to review employment history, certifications, awards, volunteer activities, LinkedIn provides invaluable insights from Recommendations & Endorsements, Posts, and Groups. Most importantly, it's helpful to know shared connections and reach out to your network to gain insights into that person. Combining this information together paints a robust picture of the person you'll be talking with and help frame up smart questions.
I encourage people to visit an interviewer's LinkedIn profile to understand their background and career progression. Understanding the interviewer's background tells you their seniority, role with an organization, and thus, the thrust of questions you might be asked. For example, if you are a technology professional, are they one, too, or are they on the business side? Thus you can calibrate your answers to their experience. In addition, under their location, contact information, and number of connections, are people you are both connected to who you can reach out to to get a deeper dive into their background.
Before an interview, I always check out the person's LinkedIn profile to get a sense of their background, interests, and what they're passionate about. It helps me find common ground or a specific point to connect on-whether it's a shared experience, similar industry insights, or even something personal like a hobby. Knowing their story gives me a chance to tailor my responses and build rapport quickly. It's not just about impressing them; it's about creating a real, authentic conversation.
Before any interview, I make it a priority to research the person I'm meeting with. I begin by reviewing their professional background on LinkedIn, paying attention to their role, career trajectory, and key accomplishments. I also check for any recent articles, blog posts, or interviews they've participated in to get a sense of their perspectives, values, and leadership style. This research helps me tailor the conversation to their interests and expertise, creating a more meaningful dialogue. For example, if I see that the interviewer has a background in technology or has worked on specific projects that align with my organization's work, I can reference these topics to build rapport and demonstrate my knowledge. It also allows me to ask insightful questions about their career journey, company culture, and strategic priorities, which shows I'm invested in the conversation and the company. Ultimately, this preparation helps me approach the interview with confidence and allows me to connect on a more personal level, which often leads to a more productive and engaging conversation. Understanding the person I'm interviewing with also allows me to present myself as someone who shares similar values and goals.
When preparing for an interview, one thing I always do is research the interviewer's professional background and interests, often through platforms like LinkedIn or by reviewing any publicly available content they've authored or contributed to. This approach allows me to understand their career trajectory, areas of expertise, and potentially shared interests or connections. For example, if I discover that the interviewer has extensive experience in event planning or food service management, I might tailor my responses to highlight how my background in personalized catering aligns with their expertise. It also gives me the opportunity to ask insightful, tailored questions that demonstrate genuine interest in their work and the organization's goals. This preparation not only helps establish a connection during the conversation but also positions me as someone who values the opportunity and takes the time to understand the people I engage with. It transforms the interview from a standard Q&A session into a meaningful dialogue, often leaving a lasting impression.
I review their LinkedIn profile to understand their professional background, current role, and any shared connections or interests. This often highlights key aspects of their career path, like industries they've worked in or projects they've led, and gives clues about their priorities or leadership style. This research helps me tailor my responses and questions to align with their perspective. For example, if I see they're passionate about process improvement, I'll emphasize my experience with streamlining operations during the conversation. It also creates opportunities for genuine rapport, like mentioning a shared interest or complimenting their achievements, making the interview more engaging and memorable.
I discovered that looking up recent news articles or press releases about the person or their company gives me fantastic conversation starters and shows I'm genuinely interested. Last week, I read about an interviewer's volunteer work with habitat for humanity before our meeting, which helped us bond over our shared passion for affordable housing solutions.
CEO & CHRO at Zogiwel
Answered a year ago
Checking out the interviewer's social media presence, especially LinkedIn, can provide insights often overlooked. Not just about their job role, but dive into recent activities-articles they've liked or shared, comments they made in discussions, or even groups they belong to. This approach offers more than their professional background; it reveals interests, values, and industry perspectives. Bringing up a shared interest or commenting on something they've recently discussed can add a personal touch to the conversation. It helps build immediate rapport, showing you're well-prepared and genuinely interested. This tactic creates a platform for a more dynamic dialogue, moving beyond typical interview questions into a territory of mutual understanding and engagement.
I'd recommend viewing the interviewer's LinkedIn page and specifically looking at 1) the length of time they've been at the company to understand how much historical context they might know about the org, 2) their About section to see what stands out / if you have anything in common, 3) where they went to school / what they studied, and 4) the Activity section because this helps you to understand what content is important to them (what they are posting or reacting to on LinkedIn). These 4 areas of the profile touch on a variety of aspects to better understand the person's background and experience within the company. This information can be helpful during the conversation because 1) it shows you did your research/homework/are interested, and 2) you come across genuine because you are able to find a topic of discussion given their background, interests, and work history.
I make it a point to look up their online reviews and service history in Jacksonville, paying special attention to how they handle property maintenance and cleaning challenges. This research recently helped me connect with a property manager when I referenced their successful apartment complex maintenance program, leading to a productive conversation about how our cleaning services could complement their existing property care routines.
Before an interview, I always look up the person's professional background on LinkedIn. This helps me understand their career path, current role, and any common connections we might have. Knowing this information allows me to tailor the conversation to their interests and experiences. For instance, if I see they have a background in digital marketing, I can reference my own experiences in that field, which helps create a more engaging and relevant discussion. It also shows I've done my homework, which leaves a positive impression.
As a recruiter, I always advise my candidates to research not only the company but also the person they'll be interviewing with. Two great ways to do this are by reviewing their LinkedIn profile and checking the company's website for a management team bio. This research can help you identify shared connections or commonalities, such as attending the same college, working at the same company, or having mutual industry contacts. Bringing up these small details during the interview not only shows that you've done your homework but also helps build rapport and establish a positive connection with the interviewer.