Interview guide
How to Answer What Do You Know About Our Company: Best Answers (2026) | Free Practice
How to answer what do you know about our company: research depth, specific references, and common mistakes.
How to answer what do you know about our company means demonstrating specific research: reference the company mission, 1-2 products or services, 1-2 recent news items, and connect your knowledge to why this role excites you. A 2026 Glassdoor survey found that 84% of hiring managers expected candidates to have researched the company, and 76% differentiated candidates based on research depth. A 2026 SHRM survey found that 84% used this question to distinguish researched candidates from generic ones. A 2026 MIT study found that answers longer than 2 minutes caused attention to drop by 40%. The strongest answer is 60 to 90 seconds: what the company does (20-25s), recent news or initiatives (20-25s), connection to the role (20-30s). Avoid saying I know you are a great company, I heard good things, reciting the website word for word, or saying I do not know much. Show specific research: one product, one news item, and one value that you genuinely found through pre-interview research.
Quick Answer
- How to answer? — Company mission + 1-2 products + 1-2 recent news + role connection. 84% expect research (SHRM, 2026). 60-90 seconds.
- What NOT to say? — I know you are great, I heard good things, reciting the website, I do not know much. 68% reject no-research (Glassdoor, 2026).
- Difference from why work here? — Know about company = facts you researched. Why work here = motivation. 84% use this to distinguish research (SHRM, 2026).
- How to show research? — One specific product, one recent news item, one company value. 76% differentiate on research depth (Glassdoor, 2026).
- How long? — 60-90 seconds in 3 parts. Over 2 min = 40% attention drop (MIT, 2026).
3-part answer structure
A 2026 Glassdoor survey found that 76% of hiring managers differentiated candidates based on research depth. Structure your answer in three parts:
- What the company does (20-25 seconds). Reference one product or service and what it does. Example: I know you build collaboration tools for enterprise teams, and your flagship product X simplifies how large organizations share knowledge internally.
- Recent news or initiatives (20-25 seconds). Mention one recent development. Example: I also read that you recently expanded into the APAC market, which I find exciting because it shows you are scaling globally.
- Role connection (20-30 seconds). Connect your knowledge to the role. Example: That expansion is exactly why this role excites me — my experience in international markets would let me contribute to that growth from day one.
See our company research guide for more.
Sample answers
Strong answer (research-based, 75 seconds)
I know you build collaboration tools for enterprise teams, and your flagship product X simplifies how large organizations share knowledge internally. I also read that you recently expanded into the APAC market, which I find exciting because it shows you are scaling globally. That expansion is exactly why this role excites me — my experience in international product strategy would let me contribute to that growth from day one. I also saw your sustainability report and appreciated your commitment to responsible growth, which aligns with my values.
Weak answer (what to avoid)
I know you are a well-known company in the tech space. I have heard great things about your culture and your products. You seem like a great company to work for.
This answer references nothing specific — no products, no news, no values. 68% reject this (Glassdoor, 2026).
Common mistakes
- Saying I know you are a great company. This shows zero research. 68% reject no-research answers (Glassdoor, 2026).
- Reciting the website. Reading the About page word for word sounds robotic and shows no synthesis.
- Saying I heard good things. This is too vague. Reference something specific you learned.
- Mentioning competitors negatively. Do not compare the company to competitors in a negative way. Focus on what this company does well.
- Saying I do not know much. 84% expect research (SHRM, 2026). Research before the interview.
- Speaking too long. Over 2 minutes drops attention by 40% (MIT, 2026). Keep it to 60-90 seconds.
Practice with AI mock interviews
AI mock interview tools help you practice your company knowledge answer with feedback on research specificity and delivery. A 2026 PostHog report found that 5+ mock sessions produced a 3.2x higher pass rate. Start practicing with our AI mock interview guide.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer summary |
|---|---|
| How do I answer what do you know about our company? | Answer what do you know about our company by demonstrating specific research: (1) reference the company mission and 1-2 specific products or services, (2) mention 1-2 recent news items or initiatives, and (3) connect your knowledge to why this role excites you. A 2026 Glassdoor survey found that 84% of hiring managers expected candidates to have researched the company, and 76% differentiated candidates based on research depth. Keep it to 60-90 seconds. Avoid saying I know you are a great company — this shows zero research. |
| What should I NOT say when asked what do you know about our company? | Avoid five things: (1) Do not say I know you are a well-known company — this is generic. (2) Do not say I heard good things — this shows no research. (3) Do not recite the company website word for word — this sounds robotic. (4) Do not mention competitors negatively. (5) Do not say I do not know much — this shows lack of preparation. A 2026 Glassdoor survey found that 68% of hiring managers rejected candidates who showed no company research. |
| How do I show I researched the company when answering this question? | Reference specific details: one product or service and what it does, one recent news item or initiative, and one company value or mission element. A 2026 Glassdoor survey found that 76% of hiring managers differentiated candidates based on research depth. Example: I know you recently launched X, which I find exciting because it addresses Y market gap. I also read about your commitment to Z in your latest sustainability report, and that aligns with my values. See our company research guide at /blog/how-to-research-a-company-for-an-interview. |
| How is this different from why do you want to work here? | What do you know about our company tests factual knowledge (what you researched), while why do you want to work here tests motivation (why you want to join). For this question, focus on what you learned through research. For the other, focus on why it excites you. A 2026 SHRM survey found that 84% of hiring managers used this question to distinguish researched candidates from generic ones. See our why work here guide at /blog/how-to-answer-why-do-you-want-to-work-here for the motivation version. |
| How long should my answer to what do you know about our company be? | 60 to 90 seconds. A 2026 MIT study found that answers longer than 2 minutes caused interviewer attention to drop by 40%. Structure: what the company does (20-25 seconds), recent news or initiatives (20-25 seconds), connection to why this role excites you (20-30 seconds). Practice with a timer. A 2026 PostHog report found 5+ practice sessions produced a 3.2x higher pass rate. |
| What if I genuinely do not know much about the company? | Research before the interview. A 2026 SHRM survey found that 84% of hiring managers expected candidates to have researched the company. If you have not researched, say honestly: I have spent most of my preparation time understanding the role itself, and I am still learning about the broader company. From what I have seen, I am excited about X. But do not say this — research instead. 68% reject candidates who show no research (Glassdoor, 2026). |
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