Last updated on Jul 8, 2024

Here's how you can prepare for an interview by researching the company and its social selling strategy.

Preparing for an interview requires more than rehearsing answers to common questions. In today's digital age, understanding a company's social selling strategy can give you a unique edge. Social selling refers to the practice of using social media platforms to connect with prospects, build relationships, and ultimately, close sales. By researching how your potential employer leverages social media for sales, you can demonstrate your knowledge and alignment with their business approach during the interview.

1 Know the Basics

Before diving into a company's specific strategies, ensure you're familiar with the fundamentals of social selling. It involves engaging directly with potential customers on social media, providing value through content, and building a personal brand that attracts buyers. Understanding these concepts allows you to spot them in action, which is crucial when you're analyzing a company's online presence. If you notice they share insightful industry articles or interact frequently with their audience, these are indicators of their social selling tactics.

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Panos Sfyris

Eat Healthy & Have a Great Job
Dig in to whetever comment has been made for the company... do not stay only on the surface.. search for articles and posts.. see what some of the employees are promoting and sharing..
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Carlos Monteiro

Bridging the gap between Commerce| Senior Talent & International Expansion | Community Builder | Go to market | Social Selling| Business Development| Networking | E-commerce| Advisor
Knowing the basics means be curious Visit the LinkedIn page Visit the website Do research on websites to understand if the company received funding Find out what customers talk about the company Look for quarterly reports if the company is listed Consolidate all info you've gathered using ChatGPT
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2 Analyze Profiles

Next, thoroughly examine the company's social media profiles. Look for how they present their brand, the type of content they post, and how they engage with their audience. Pay attention to the tone and style of communication; is it professional, friendly, or a mix of both? This will give you insight into the company's culture and values, which is invaluable during an interview. You'll be able to tailor your responses to resonate with their brand voice and demonstrate that you're a cultural fit.

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Tom Baeten

☆ We help you use LinkedIn® successfully ☆ LinkedIn® trainer & expert ☆ Full LinkedIn® services agency ☆ Ghostwriting services ☆ Content management partner ☆ Digital Marketing agency ☆
Make a digital scan of the company and its several channels. See if there is cohesion and look for the key messages and description. Do the three second test: Do I understand in 3 seconds when I arrive on your page what you're offering and for who? Use the search filters on LinkedIn to understand who the social ambassadors are and who is part of the sales team. Analyze to see how active they are.
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Carlos Monteiro

Bridging the gap between Commerce| Senior Talent & International Expansion | Community Builder | Go to market | Social Selling| Business Development| Networking | E-commerce| Advisor
Analyse What leadership post on some What new projects the company has been working on Analyse the content structure and flow you can easily understand : The company culture Recent wins Recent hires Latest projects Recent announcements Events the company supports or participates of
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3 Content Clues

Content is king in social selling, so take a close look at what the company is sharing. Do they provide thought leadership, industry news, or interactive content like polls or quizzes? The nature of the content can tell you a lot about their sales approach. If they focus on educational content, they might value long-term relationship building over immediate sales. Mentioning your appreciation for their content strategy during the interview can show your attentiveness and strategic thinking.

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Carlos Monteiro

Bridging the gap between Commerce| Senior Talent & International Expansion | Community Builder | Go to market | Social Selling| Business Development| Networking | E-commerce| Advisor
The type of content a company posts will give you strong clues on what they value, as well as what their customers, partners or even employees share in terms of sentiment. It is impressive what you can gather of knowledge in the comment section, not to mention that if you are thoughtful when commenting you are able to both build relationships with the top leadership of the company you are interested in, but also start getting attention from other executives that are part of the ecosystem of that organization. Social media engagement, especially on LinkedIn allows you to become visible and develop strategic relationships without necessarily having to be in expensive tradeshows
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4 Engagement Insight

Observe how the company interacts with its followers. Are they responsive to comments? Do they encourage user-generated content or testimonials? High engagement levels often indicate a company values customer relationships and community building. During your interview, discussing how you would engage with their audience or contribute to their social selling efforts can highlight your proactive attitude and customer-centric mindset.

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Carlos Monteiro

Bridging the gap between Commerce| Senior Talent & International Expansion | Community Builder | Go to market | Social Selling| Business Development| Networking | E-commerce| Advisor
Social media engagement, especially on LinkedIn, allows you to become visible and develop strategic relationships without the need for expensive tradeshows. If the company isn't responsive but its executives are, you can always nudge them (respectfully) to pay attention. Engaging with executives in the comments provides an unmatched opportunity to build real relationships with people who can change the course of your career. Do not be a brown noser. Be thoughtful. Stand out. Challenge common thinking, but provide evidence when challenging. Tag others who might benefit from the post.
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5 Competitor Comparison

Don't limit your research to just the prospective employer—look at their competitors too. This will give you a broader view of the industry's social selling landscape. Note what differentiates your potential employer from its competitors on social media. Is it their branding, the way they tell stories, or perhaps their innovative use of social platforms? Being able to discuss these differences during an interview shows you have a comprehensive understanding of the industry and where the company stands within it.

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6 Personal Branding

Lastly, consider your own social selling skills and personal brand. How do you present yourself on social media? Ensure your profiles reflect a professional image and demonstrate your ability to engage in social selling. Sharing relevant content and having meaningful interactions on social platforms can serve as practical examples of your social selling acumen during an interview. Showcasing your personal brand effectively can make a strong impression on potential employers.

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Carlos Monteiro

Bridging the gap between Commerce| Senior Talent & International Expansion | Community Builder | Go to market | Social Selling| Business Development| Networking | E-commerce| Advisor
Personal branding is nonsense. What have you built in your career? That's your personal brand—your reputation. Don't fall for the "fake it until you make it" trap. Showing up and having a solid social media presence will help you a great deal. Invest in a solid profile picture. Focus on: - Engaging in topics where you are comfortable. - Sharing knowledge within your domain of expertise. - Sharing your story and tying it back to your knowledge. For example: I speak about building influence and communities in international markets (my topic) within the e-commerce space (my niche). Occasionally, I use my story—I'm an immigrant in Denmark—to draw parallels and connect my point of view to my topic.
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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can prepare for an interview by researching the company and its social selling strategy.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know the Basics

2 Analyze Profiles

3 Content Clues

4 Engagement Insight

5 Competitor Comparison

6 Personal Branding

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Selling

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Here's how you can prepare for an interview by researching the company and its social selling strategy.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Know the Basics

2 Analyze Profiles

3 Content Clues

4 Engagement Insight

5 Competitor Comparison

6 Personal Branding

7 Here’s what else to consider

Social Selling

Rate this article

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