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AGCAREERS.COM
AG & FOOD CAREER GUIDE
Keep a Close
Eye on LinkedIn
LinkedIn has features different from
other social media platforms that are
helpful when researching a company.
Visit the company’s profile to learn
what kind of news and updates the
organization communicates to the
public–this is what they want you to
know. Find content that stands out
to you and use it as a talking point
when interviewing. Company-specific
questions are sure to impress an
employer who applauds candidates who
teach themselves about the company
before even working there.
Be sure to head to the “People”
tab. This will give you an overview of
the employees at the company, their
current roles, and their backgrounds.
On the people tab, you can identify
who works at the company, where they
live, their responsibilities, what they
studied, skills they have identified as
needed in their jobs and how you are
similar. For further research, you can
filter people out based on what they
do. For example, if you select “Sales &
Business Development” you can view
every person doing that job function at
the organization. This is a valuable tool
to keep in mind during your research as
it shows you how other people got to
their jobs, and it helps you find skills you
already have and those that you would
like to develop.
Quick tip:
be sure to view the profiles of
the people who will interview you. This
will give you knowledge about what
they do as well as their experience.
Make sure you have the setting turned
on where they can see that you viewed
their profile–it will show them you care
and that you thoroughly prepared for
the interview!
Focus on the Now
Knowing recent company news
and industry trends shows you can
stay relevant and well-informed. Has
the company recently launched a
new product or service? Did they win
an award this past year? Were they
recognized for their achievements in
sustainability? Did they form a new
partnership? Mention it! Or even
better, congratulate them on their
accomplishments and elaborate on
why you think they did a good job.
For example, if the company recently
received a Fair Trade Certification, you
could share your thoughts on how
important it is to adhere to ethical
standards and ensure that businesses
are accountable for the way they impact
the lives of others. The employer will
appreciate you taking the time to show
them you are knowledgeable about
what is going on in their world.
Another word of advice when
researching a company would be to
refresh yourself on recent trends or
events happening in the market that
the company operates in. The most
effective way to bring this up in an
interview is to reference something
that is occurring in the employer’s
industry and ask how it could affect
their business. This will demonstrate
your internal knowledge of the company,
while acknowledging external market
factors that could be positively or
negatively affecting them.
Mentioning timely, current events
or trends lets the employer know you
are on the ball when staying on top of
things. This will display a drive to be
proactive in your work–an essential trait
that employers are looking for.
Now that you have done all this
research about the company, remember
that your objective in the interview
is to convince the employer that you
want to work at their organization. Back
your answers up with your ability to
talk about what makes their company
unique and express your excitement
by showing your knowledge. Work
with examples that you know and
answer interview questions confidently.
Knowing exactly what you’re talking
about couldn’t be any more effective!
AG
Questions to
Consider when
Looking at a
Company’s
Social Media
• What type of content are they posting?
• Do they have a large or small
following?
• Are their followers international or
more local?
• How often are they posting new
content?
• Do they have a professional or more
casual tone?
• Who is their audience online? How
does this compare to their target
market?
• What is their communication style like?
• How do they handle customer
complaints or unsatisfied clients?
• Are they responsive to consumers
online or do they rely more on in-
person interactions?
• Why do they post to social media? Is it
for brand awareness, event promotion,
getting sales leads, or something else?