What's the best way to research the person you'll be interviewing with for an HR interview? What resources do you find most valuable?

Question

In today's competitive job market, thorough preparation for HR interviews can make all the difference. This article presents expert-backed strategies for researching your interviewer, a crucial step often overlooked by candidates. By leveraging various resources and techniques, job seekers can gain valuable insights that lead to more meaningful connections during the interview process.

Mary Southern · Answer

One of the most powerful ways to stand out in an HR interview is by researching the person you'll be speaking with--not just the company.
Start with LinkedIn. Look at their current role, past experience, shared posts, and comments. This gives you valuable clues into their professional priorities and communication style. Do they talk a lot about company culture? Leadership development? Talent strategy? Use that to tailor your answers and connect on shared interests.
Next, dig deeper. Google their name to find any podcast appearances, webinars, or articles they've contributed to. Hearing how they speak and what they care about gives you a sense of how to engage them authentically during the interview.
Another underused tip: check if they've been tagged in any company social media posts. These often reveal personality, work anniversaries, internal recognition, or team dynamics that you can reference to show you've done your homework.
When you demonstrate that you've taken the time to understand the person--not just the role--you come across as prepared, thoughtful, and genuinely interested. That kind of impression sticks.

Noah Musgrove · Answer

The best place to start is LinkedIn. It provides a quick overview of the interviewer's role, their tenure with the company, and sometimes even their professional posts or interests. If they have written articles or shared company news, it can give you insight into what they value and how they communicate.
Beyond LinkedIn, I recommend checking the company's website, especially the "About" or "Team" pages, as well as any recent press releases or blog posts. These can provide a sense of the company culture and sometimes even highlight the HR team. Entering the interview with some background information makes it easier to connect and ask questions that demonstrate you've done your research.

Melissa Pennington · Answer

Doing your homework on the person interviewing you is a game-changer, especially for HR interviews where emotional intelligence, alignment with culture, and communication style matter just as much as experience.
My favorite starting point is LinkedIn. Look beyond their job title--check out their activity, posts, or articles they've shared. It tells you what they care about, how they think, and what tone they use professionally. Have they posted about DEI, leadership development, or workplace culture? That gives you insight into what might resonate in your conversation.
Next, I'll scan the company website for their leadership or team page (if available). Sometimes there's a bio that sheds light on their journey or values. From there, I look at any webinars, podcasts, or conference panels they've participated in. People often show up more authentically when they're speaking, and it's a great way to catch their vibe and priorities.
Another overlooked tool? Glassdoor. Not for gossip--but to understand how HR is perceived in the organization. It helps you frame questions around culture, employee experience, or organizational goals that show you've thought holistically.
Finally, if you know someone who works or has worked there, reach out. A quick conversation can give you real insights into the team dynamics or leadership style that you won't find online.
At the end of the day, your goal isn't to impress with what you know about them, but to prepare for how to connect with them. Be curious, be intentional, and don't be afraid to tailor your talking points to what matters to them. That's what leaves a lasting impression.

Kent Lewis · Answer

I've found that LinkedIn is the best single source of research for an interview. Beyond the ability to review employment history, certifications, awards, and volunteer activities, LinkedIn provides invaluable insights from Recommendations & Endorsements, Posts, and Groups. Most importantly, it's helpful to know shared connections and reach out to your network to gain insights into that person. Combining this information together paints a robust picture of the person you'll be talking with and helps frame up smart questions.

Max Shak · Answer

As the Founder and CEO of Zapiy.com, I've conducted and prepared for countless interviews, and one of the most overlooked yet powerful steps in preparing for an HR interview--whether you're the interviewer or the candidate--is researching the person you'll be speaking with. In my experience, the best way to do this is by treating it like you're trying to understand the person behind the title, not just their role.
I always start with LinkedIn. It's the most valuable and comprehensive resource because it gives you a snapshot of someone's career path, areas of expertise, and even how they communicate publicly. You can often glean insights into what they care about professionally--do they post about company culture, leadership, innovation? That information helps me tailor the conversation and align my message with their values or interests.
Next, I look at the company's website, especially the leadership or team page if one exists. This helps you understand their role in the bigger picture and where they sit in the organizational structure. If they've contributed to blog posts or press releases, that's even better--it offers a sense of how they think and what they prioritize.
I also take a quick look on Google News to see if they've been quoted in industry publications or participated in events. A recent panel discussion or article mention gives you timely context that can spark more meaningful conversation or questions.
But research alone isn't enough--it's how you use it. When I go into an interview, I try to frame questions or comments in a way that reflects what I've learned. For example, if I notice they're passionate about creating inclusive hiring practices, I might ask how they see that evolving in a remote-first world. That level of specificity turns a standard HR interview into a thoughtful dialogue.
Ultimately, doing this kind of preparation shows respect and professionalism. It signals that you value their time and role enough to understand who they are before you meet them. Whether you're applying for a role or leading a hiring process, that kind of intentionality always leaves a strong impression.

Dhari Alabdulhadi · Answer

When I research someone I'll interview with for an HR role, I start by looking into their professional footprint. I check LinkedIn first; it's gold for seeing their career path, skills, and posts they have shared. I look at what they have written or liked to get a sense of their interests. Then, I skim company websites for their bio or team page to understand their role and vibe within the organization.
If they have spoken at events or been quoted in articles, I search online for those snippets, as Google is handy here. I also peek at X for real-time takes, if they are active; it shows how they think on the fly. These resources help me tailor my questions and connect genuinely. LinkedIn and company sites top my list—they're reliable, current, and give me a solid base to build rapport from.

Alex Cornici · Answer

Getting to know the person who will be interviewing you can give you a significant edge. A great starting point is LinkedIn, where you can explore their professional background, shared connections, and potentially their interests if they have listed any in their profile. This can help you tailor your conversation to highlight experiences or skills that resonate with them, and maybe spark a more personal connection with shared interests.
Additionally, if the interviewer has been featured in any recent company news releases or blog posts, these can provide insights into their latest projects or achievements. Some professionals also share their thoughts and engage in discussions on platforms like Twitter and Medium, giving you more perspective on their priorities and personality. 
To wrap up, the more you know about your interviewer, the better you can present yourself as the ideal candidate who not only fits the company culture but also the dynamics of the specific team.

7 Ways to Research Your Interviewer for An HR Interview

7 Ways to Research Your Interviewer for An HR Interview

Leverage LinkedIn for Comprehensive Interviewer Insights

Explore Company Website and Press Releases

Utilize Multiple Sources for In-Depth Understanding

Tap into LinkedIn's Wealth of Information

Research Strategically to Connect Meaningfully

Investigate Professional Footprint Across Platforms

Tailor Approach Using Interviewer's Background