Company Research Before Applying: The 5-Minute Cheat Sheet

You found a job listing that looks perfect. Before you hit "Apply," take 5 minutes to research the company. It could save you hours of wasted effort — or reveal your dream workplace.

Why 90% of Applicants Skip This Step

In the rush to apply to as many jobs as possible, most candidates skip company research entirely. That's a mistake for two reasons:

• You might be applying to a company with toxic culture, mass layoffs, or financial trouble
• Your application is generic when it could reference specific things about the company that show genuine interest

The 5-Minute Company Research Framework

Minute 1: Glassdoor Rating & Reviews

Check the overall rating (anything below 3.0/5 is a red flag), read the most recent 3-5 reviews, and note the recurring pros and cons. Pay special attention to reviews from people in the department you'd be joining.

Minute 2: Salary Research

Search for the role title + company on Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or Payscale. Know the salary range before you apply. If it's significantly below your target, you can skip it and save time. If it's above, you know to prioritize this application.

Minute 3: Reddit & Forum Sentiment

Search Reddit for "[company name] working experience" or "[company] culture." Glassdoor reviews can be gamed by HR departments; Reddit threads are harder to fake. Look for patterns — if multiple people mention the same problem, it's probably real.

Minute 4: Recent News

A quick Google News search reveals: funding rounds (growth), layoffs (instability), product launches (opportunity), or acquisitions (uncertainty). You want to know if the company is growing or shrinking before you invest time in applying.

Minute 5: Interview Process

Search Glassdoor's interview section for the company. How many rounds? What kind of questions? Is there a take-home assignment? Knowing this upfront helps you decide if you're willing to invest the time, and gives you a head start on preparation.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Glassdoor below 3.0 with consistent complaints about management
• Recent layoffs (especially if they're still hiring for the same roles — churn signal)
• "Unlimited PTO" combined with reviews saying people never take time off
• Salary not posted AND no data available anywhere (transparency issue)
• 6+ interview rounds for a non-executive position (process dysfunction)
• Multiple Reddit threads about toxic culture or overwork

Green Flags That Signal a Great Workplace

• 4.0+ Glassdoor with specific, detailed positive reviews
• Recent funding or revenue growth without mass hiring (healthy scaling)
• Employees on Reddit who speak positively without prompting
• Clear, reasonable interview process (3-4 rounds max)
• Salary transparency in the job listing itself
• Strong benefits — good 401k match, real PTO, remote flexibility

How to Use Research in Your Application

The research isn't just for filtering — it's ammunition for your cover letter. Reference specific things:

• "I was excited to see [Company]'s recent Series B — the growth trajectory aligns with where I want to build my career."
• "Your team's reputation for [specific positive from reviews] is exactly the kind of environment where I do my best work."
• "I noticed [Company] is expanding into [area from news]. My experience in [relevant skill] would directly contribute to that initiative."

This transforms your application from "generic candidate #347" to "someone who actually cares about working here."