10 Things to Research Before an Interview

As you prepare for an interview in the fashion industry, there’s more to get ready for than just picking out a sharp outfit. Doing your research on a prospective employer is a crucial step toward landing the job and making sure the company aligns with your career goals. Knowing the right details can help you feel confident, engage in meaningful conversation, and ultimately stand out to the hiring team. Here are the ten most important things to know about a company before stepping into the interview room:

1. Company Mission, Vision, and Values
   In the fashion industry, values and aesthetics often go hand-in-hand. Get familiar with the company’s mission and values—knowing these will help you understand what drives the company forward and see if it resonates with your own career values and creative vision. Look for statements about sustainability, diversity, or craftsmanship that you can reference during the interview to show you’ve done your homework.
   
2. Company Culture
   Company culture can vary greatly, especially in fashion, where creative freedom and fast-paced environments are common. Researching the culture can reveal if it’s a place where you’ll thrive. Try to find insights into the company’s work environment, team dynamics, and approach to work-life balance. This understanding can guide you in answering culture-fit questions and demonstrate that you’re aligned with the company’s vibe.
   
3. Recent News and Industry Developments
   The fashion industry is always evolving with new trends, brand launches, and collaborations. Showing awareness of recent events—like a new collection release or partnership—will make a positive impression. It indicates that you’re genuinely interested and actively follow the company’s journey in the industry.
   
4. Key Competitors and Market Position
   Understanding a brand’s position in the competitive landscape is essential in fashion. Knowing the company’s competitors and their place in the market can help you demonstrate industry knowledge and make more informed statements about what you could bring to the team. For example, if the brand is known for being sustainable, you could highlight relevant skills or experiences that align with its commitment to environmental impact.
   
5. Leadership and Management Team
   In the fashion world, leaders often influence the brand’s style and direction. Researching the leadership team’s background—especially if they’re well-known figures in fashion—can help you understand the vision they bring to the brand. This knowledge can also be a great icebreaker, showing that you’re genuinely interested in the company’s creative and strategic leadership.
   
6. Job Role Expectations
   Thoroughly understanding the role and its responsibilities can help you prepare for role-specific questions and align your skills with the company’s needs. If there’s room for interpretation in the job description, use this as an opportunity to ask clarifying questions in the interview, showing that you’re proactive and genuinely want to fulfill the role successfully.
   
7. Company Financial Health and Stability
   For a larger fashion house or publicly traded brand, financial health can reflect stability and opportunities for growth. While you don’t need to dive into balance sheets, understanding the company’s recent performance or growth plans can help you prepare questions about the company’s future and discuss your long-term career aspirations with confidence.
   
8. Products, Services, and Target Audience
   Get familiar with the company’s product lines, collections, and target audience. This knowledge is essential when discussing how you can contribute to the brand’s success. For instance, if the company focuses on luxury menswear, emphasize any experience you have that’s relevant to luxury markets or fashion trends that appeal to their customers.
   
9. Employee Experience and Job Satisfaction
   If you can, try to gather insights into what it’s like to work there. It can be valuable to know what others say about the work environment and employee satisfaction. This information can help you understand the company’s approach to talent development, team collaboration, and growth opportunities.
   
10. Company’s Vision for Growth or Innovation
    Fashion is an industry that thrives on innovation, whether it’s new materials, sustainability efforts, or tech integrations like virtual fitting rooms. Understanding the company’s vision for growth can highlight your forward-thinking mindset and your readiness to contribute to future goals. If the brand has big plans in innovation or expansion, you can discuss how your skills or experience align with these ambitions.

Preparing Your Knowledge for the Interview
Research doesn’t have to be daunting. Start by exploring the company’s official website for details on mission, culture, and recent news. You can often find valuable insights from the company’s press releases, brand pages, and social media channels, which often showcase the latest product launches, employee experiences, and company events.

This knowledge will give you a clearer sense of the company’s goals, values, and potential as a workplace, setting you up to shine during your interview. In the fashion industry, details matter—from fabric choice to personal style to the knowledge you bring to an interview. By researching and reflecting on these ten areas, you’ll be ready to make a lasting impression and take the next step in your fashion career journey.