VIDEO: Tips on How to Use LinkedIn to Prepare for Interviews

LinkedIn isn’t just for job hunting - it’s a powerful research tool for first-stage interviews. Spend a little time digging, and you’ll walk into the room armed with insights that set you apart. Here are four tips to get the most out of it:

1. Check the company page

The company’s LinkedIn page tells you a lot about their employer brand - how they want to be seen and how they position themselves to talent. This helps you align your approach with their culture and values.

2. Look at the directors

Check out the directors’ profiles:

• Where did they come from?

• What’s their career trajectory?

• How is the management structured?

These insights reveal a lot about company culture, leadership style, and priorities.

3. Research the team you want to join

• Where is the team drawn from in terms of background?

• Who manages them?

• Any recent promotions?

• Is the team size an opportunity or a potential limitation?

This gives you a sense of growth potential, team dynamics, and career opportunities within the team.

4. Research the manager you’ll meet

Look at your manager’s LinkedIn profile:

• Career journey so far

• Current role and responsibilities

• Where they want to go next professionally

Understanding this allows you to ask thoughtful questions that build alignment, showing how your career goals and theirs intersect. (Check out our separate video on building alignment through questions - it’s a gem.)

Summary

LinkedIn is your secret weapon for interview prep. Do your homework, look at these four areas, and you’ll enter that first-stage interview confident, informed, and ready to impress.