Learn the Company, Launch Your Career

Before flying to a new city, there are few people who won't at least do some minimal Google searching about the top attractions, bakeries, and unique sights. A trip to the most popular brunch spot in your town is likely preceded by searching for directions through Google Maps, reading Zagat reviews, and checking what local guides have said about the restaurant's famous lobster Eggs Benedict. Researching a foreign city's customs could help you avoid embarrassing yourself or offending any of the residents, just as perusing a few brunch photos will inform your decision of what to order.

These searches build excitement about the experience and the place, but they also make you more knowledgeable going in, so that you know what to expect. Why should the preparation for a job interview be any different? Having the skills and the qualifications--including knowing how to program well--are crucial for a technical interview, but just as the company you're applying to uses your resume to learn about you, you should learn about them.

Any company, whether it has 10 employees or close to 100,000; whether it focuses on research solutions, consumer products, or humanitarian outreach; and, whether it was founded 2 years or many decades ago, wants to see not only who you are but who you are in the context of the company. How can your skills help them solve the problems they're facing? Will you be at ease with the company culture? Do you know what they do?

The answers to some of these questions seem obvious. Perhaps you are a great Python programmer and the company is hiring those with an aptitude for this language. But do you know what their current biggest problem is and how you might begin to use Python to tackle it?

Maybe you love writing perfect code in Java before deploying it. Does the company tend to only release products when they are perfect, or do they publicly improve products after a release?

Learning more about the company ahead of the interview shows that you care, allows you to give more specific answers to any open-ended questions, and also fuels your excitement over the prospect of working for them.

Any Company

Regardless of the size of the company, there will be likely be some resources you can use for your research.

The company website: this is the best place to start. Begin where the company did, namely the company history and their "About Us" page.
Google News: if there are any news stories about the company, take the time to read them.
Your network: if you have friends or people you know who work for the company, reach out to them and see if they would be willing to talk with you.

Larger Companies

Set Google Alerts for news stories and have them delivered right to your inbox on your own schedule.
Search for podcasts, magazine articles, videos, or books about the company.
If the company has product launches, watch the livestream and recaps.

My Personal Recommendations

Wired has great Gadget Lab podcasts that make for interesting listening while commuting or going on a walk.
If you receive your news by email, adding Google Alerts to your daily reading is quite seamless.

The above lists are not necessarily exhaustive, but they are also not supposed to exhaust you. Find what works best for you, whether it's reading a news article a day about the company or listening to podcasts during a morning walk. By starting your preparation early, you will make a great impression at the interview and your work will be more impactful from day one.