Conducting thorough research on a company prior to a job interview can prove highly beneficial. It does not only equip you with an in-depth understanding of the organization but also offers you a competitive edge over other candidates who may not have invested in understanding the nuances of the role or the company's culture. Usually, interviewers will ask you about what you know about their company. So, a knowledge of the company will give you an advantage when answering questions.

Products and services

This is the most obvious thing you should know - what their business is all about. To gather this information, consider exploring the company's official website, blog posts, and online whitepapers. Identifying the industry in which the company operates, be it pharmaceuticals, information technology, food & beverage, telecommunications, or any other sector, can provide valuable context for their products and services, thereby deepening your knowledge and preparedness.

Company culture, mission, vision and values

Company culture refers to the behaviors and beliefs of the employees and the management. The mission defines the purpose of the organization. Values – the core ethics and principles. Vision pertains to long term objectives. You can know these through their advertisement, website or social media. Knowing these three things can help you decide and plan how your own values will align with the company.

Key players

These are the most important people or things involved in the founding of the company. They could be the founder, co-founders, planners, and initial investors. For things, they could be the ideas, products or any tangibles and intangibles that are precursors of the business. Knowing them can help you understand the history, vision and mission of the company.

Dress code

Not all organizations have the same dress policies for their applicants. Some are lax while others are strict. Usually, if you don’t know the dress code, it’s safe to wear business casual rather than appearing for an interview wearing pajamas, shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt (you get what I mean). Likewise, it’s not a wise choice to show up for interviews in streetwear. Some IT companies aren’t strict on dress codes as long as you wear decent and clean attire.

Boardroom Attire

• Men: Coat, tie, three-piece suits, crisp white dress
• Women: Blouses, collared dress shirts, skirts. Avoid very short or revealing dresses. Heels and black tights
• Industry: Most large companies involved in hospitality (hotels), airlines, banking, marketing and human resources. This is usually worn by executives who held higher positions.

Traditional Business Attire

• Men: Patterned undershirts and ties plus coat. Subtly patterned dark suits. Dark brown and navy-blue oxfords
• Women: Professional blouses and shirts or suits. Closed and tight toe heels
• Industry: Banking and finance, media (newscasting), hospitality, marketing, airline, food and beverage (wait staff)

Executive Casual

• Men: Sportscoats & jackets, patterned coats and ties, slacks. Monk-strapped shoes
• Women: Well-kempt hair, Bright colored fabric, blouse, slacks, pantyhose. Closed-toes shoes or high heels
• Industry: Most companies

Smart Casual

• Men: Neat hairstyle, long-sleeve and formal polo. Slacks. Black shoe
• Women: Nice skirts or slacks, collared dress or dressy top matched to a pair of dark jeans
• Industry: Most companies

Business Casual

• Men: Collared polo shirt, black, blue or brown trousers. Built and optional tie. Leather shoes
• Women: Cotton or twill pants or skirts. Solid color polo or knit skirts. Open toe shoes
• Industry: Most companies in the IT industry and business deal with logistics.

Source: Business Insider

Additional tips:

1. Avoid revealing or scantily-clad dresses such as very short skirts or shorts.
2. Always wear well-kempt hair that is combed and neatly.
3. Trim nails and make sure they have no dirt.
4. Avoid wearing excessive make-up or perfume.

Experiences and skills

Job ads detail the requirements for the job such as education, experience level and skills. Knowing them can help you assess whether you have the qualifications and formulate your answers for the interview.

This preliminary groundwork not only showcases your interest and dedication to prospective employers but also allows you to make informed decisions about your potential fit within the company.