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Partnering with SME companies throughout East Anglia, Michelle Denny Recruitment is a recruitment agency which specialises in personalised recruitment consultancy services in Norfolk and Suffolk to help you discover that elusive new member of staff at a budget that suits you.

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With different campaign options to meet your requirements and innovative marketing strategies to captivate worthy candidates, we'll present you with a refreshing, no-fuss approach to recruitment. Whether you need a comprehensive recruitment drive with full support, or a simple campaign to find you candidates to review in-house, we'll work with you as an extension of your team, to understand your business and the people within it. 

Clients

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We'll introduce you to companies with job opportunities across Norfolk, Suffolk and beyond that share your values and understand your career aspirations so you can feel confident in your job search. With guidance, support, constructive feedback and consistent communication as standard throughout our approach, Michelle Denny Recruitment Consultancy looks beyond your CV to discover what makes you, you!

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With a clear direction, straightforward application process and ongoing recommendations, we’ll provide you with the ultimate match-making service to help you find the right job, in the right company, with the right team. Learn more, view our current vacancies and upload your CV to register for upcoming roles too.

Candidates

THIS WAY TO A NEW JOB

How to Research a Company Before an Interview (Beyond the Website)

  • Michelle Denny
  • Jun 19
  • 4 min read

Part of the Career Planning & Job Search Strategy Series


When preparing for an interview, it’s easy to think “I’ll just check the website and I’m good to go.” And sure - the company website gives you a solid start. But it rarely tells the whole story.


If you want to go in with more than just surface-level knowledge - and show that you’ve genuinely thought about where you’d fit - you’ll need to dig a little deeper.


This blog is part of our series designed to help you think more strategically about your career, job search and next steps. Whether you’re early in your journey or getting back out there after a break, we want to give you useful insight that helps you show up as your best, prepared self.

Why it matters


Companies notice when candidates have done their homework - and not just memorised the “About Us” page.


Going deeper shows that:


  • You’re genuinely interested in the role and organisation

  • You understand what the business is trying to achieve

  • You’ve thought about how you’d add value

  • You respect their time enough to be prepared


That doesn’t mean you need a five-page dossier - just that you’ve explored the context behind the role and the culture you’re stepping into.


Start with the basics - then go beyond


Yes, start with the website. But don’t stop there. Here’s how to build a fuller picture.


Look at LinkedIn - but not just the company page

Search for the business, but also check out:


  • The hiring manager or interviewer’s profile (if you know who they are)

  • Current employees in similar roles - what language do they use? How long have they been there?

  • Company posts and recent updates - what are they focusing on right now?


This helps you understand tone, structure, and team dynamics - even if subtly.


Explore the wider digital footprint

A Google search can throw up more than you expect. Try variations like:


  • “Company Name news”

  • “Company Name reviews” (Glassdoor, Indeed, Google Reviews)

  • “Company Name blog” or “press release”


These give you clues about leadership, changes, challenges, or milestones that might not be obvious from the website.


Check Companies House (UK only)

If the company is registered in the UK, Companies House is a great (and free) way to check:


  • How long they’ve been established

  • Who the directors are

  • Whether they’ve grown, changed names, or restructured


It’s public data - use it to get a sense of stability and history.


Understand their market and positioning

Who are their competitors? What’s happening in their sector?


Even a quick scan of industry news or trade publications can give you useful framing. It’s especially relevant if you’re applying for roles in marketing, sales, operations or leadership - where you’ll be expected to know how external factors affect the business.


Local insight matters too

If the company is local, look at:


  • Chamber of Commerce listings

  • Local business awards or networks

  • Social media mentions from other organisations


It’s a way to understand how they show up in their community - and often shows the human side of the business.


What to look for as you go


You’re not just looking for facts - you’re building context. Think about:


  • What stage the business is at - start-up, scale-up, steady?

  • Who the key decision makers are

  • What language and values come through in how they speak

  • Any recurring themes - growth? stability? innovation? heritage?

  • Red flags - high turnover, poor reviews, unclear direction


Then ask yourself: how do I fit in here? What do I bring that matters in this context?


Use what you learn - with balance


You don’t need to name-drop every fact you find in the interview. The point is to shape your questions, frame your answers, and show that you’ve thought about more than just the job description.


For example:


“I noticed from your recent LinkedIn post that you’re expanding into new markets - I’d love to hear more about how that impacts this team.”


Or:


“It seems like you’ve gone through a period of change - what does success look like in this role now?”


That level of insight helps you stand out - and also helps you decide if the role is right for you.


Final thought


Research isn’t about catching someone out or ticking a box - it’s about preparing yourself to have a better conversation. To understand what you’re stepping into. And to make a stronger case for why you belong there.


And if you want help doing that - that’s where we come in.

 

Want help preparing for your next move?


Whether you’re actively interviewing or just starting to look, our team at Michelle Denny Recruitment Consultancy can support you. We offer friendly, grounded advice - with real insight into what local employers are looking for.


📩 Get in touch for a confidential chat - or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop with new roles, updates and career advice.



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