Navigating companies & products: A comprehensive guide
Elevate your job search strategy with insights about the company and its products
One of the most crucial steps when seeking to join a company is thoroughly understanding the organization you are applying to. 🔍
In the upcoming weeks, we will address how to study a company more effectively and how to pose the right questions during a selection process.
Preparation is fundamental, and knowing how to question a recruiter is crucial. I have divided this series into three articles covering the main topics for this journey:
Understanding Company & Products: In the first part, we will study the company and its products. THIS ONE.
Strategy: Here, we will dive into the company's strategy, understanding its future and positioning. 📅 December 27th
Culture and Key Interview Questions: Finally, we will analyze the company's culture and raise some key questions to ask during the selection process. 📅 January 3rd
Stay tuned to your email 📬 in the coming weeks, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions or suggestions.
Company & Products
The first understanding that needs to be sought comes from a deep comprehension of the company's operations, going beyond surface-level knowledge, such as the basic notion that the company, for example, is a 'fintech in the credit sector.'🤔💳
Here, you need to understand how the company operates, what its products are, and how it sustains itself.
To gain this knowledge, you can start by understanding the services the company provides and who its target audience is. This will give you insight into whom it is targeting in the market and how it addresses the pain points of these companies and/or individuals.
Enter the platform, take a test, request a demo, and use the product in the best way possible. Live what their customer expects to experience and draw your initial conclusions.
To delve deeper in a more productive way, I've selected some points worth investigating:
Products 🛍️
Identify the variety of products or features offered by the company. Here, you can use a free trial period, and engage in demos with sales teams. During these moments, conduct tests not to find bugs or issues, but to experience the product and its value propositions.
For companies with multiple products, analyze how these products complement each other 🔄🔗. Understand among the provided products how they relate and solve a problem as a whole.
An example of this relationship could be a company providing a product for extracting data and another that stores data. Do you see how they complement each other?
Market
Identify the company's competitors and understand their unique points of comparison. In a simplified manner, look for the differentiators the company possesses.
Regulations
Understand if the market has many regulations and if it is high-risk ⚖️. I see that this is for more regulated markets, such as finance and health, but it's good to have a broader view of legal issues in the market you are entering.
Are there many risks? Is it a relatively new market?
Revenue
Comprehend the company's sources of revenue 💰. Understand where the company's revenue comes from and how it sustains itself. Here, it is important, for instance, if asked about new products in an interview, to think about these improvements while considering the revenue.
Customer Relationship
Investigate customer sentiments toward the product. How is the company perceived in the market, and what is the market's sentiment towards it in recent periods? Here, you can use complaint sites like ReclameAqui, social media, and Google searches.
Identify common complaints and problems, as well as aspects appreciated or disliked by customers. Examining these points is important to check recent issues the company has faced.
News and Rumors
Stay informed about recent news related to the company (new markets it is entering, capital raises, mass layoffs, etc.).
To obtain various types of information about the company, explore different sources such as the company's website, “About Us” pages, blogs, job sites, and internet articles. 🌐📑
Additionally, immerse yourself in the product by using it personally in different user scenarios, including free and paid versions. Reflect on your experience, paying special attention to aspects that could deter users if not compelled to explore the product.
Why understand the company and its products?
Knowing about the company you seek to join is fundamental to knowing where you will be going and the market you will be entering. This provides you with more confidence regarding your professional future, especially for those entering markets with potential regulatory challenges.
Moreover, and I see it as one of the most important aspects, understanding these products and context allows you to ask more informed questions in interviews with recruiters and area managers.
In the next article, we will discuss how to study the company's strategy.
Strategy: Here, we will dive into the company's strategy, understanding its future and positioning. 📅 December 27th
Culture and Key Interview Questions: Finally, we will analyze the company's culture and raise some key questions to ask during the selection process. 📅 January 3rd
See you on December 27th. Have a great Christmas🎄, and see you in the next post 😀