I recently spoke to MBA students and alumni at Washington State University about executive hiring strategies. One idea that particularly resonated with attendees was using OSINT and HUMINT to gain a competitive advantage. With over 4,000 applicants competing for a single role at a company, your odds of reaching the recruiter screening stage are approximately 0.025%. Receiving that initial call can feel as rare as hitting a small jackpot at a slot machine. Once you secure that call, how can you enhance your chances of progressing through the interview stages and ultimately landing the job? Sir Francis Bacon famously wrote, “Ipsa scientia potestas est” (knowledge itself is power). Thus, the more knowledge you have about the company—and especially about your interviewers—the better prepared you will be.
Disclaimer: Always gather information ethically, responsibly, and through publicly available sources. Never engage in behavior that could negatively influence an employer’s perception of you—in other words, avoid being intrusive or “creepy.”
Defining OSINT and HUMINT
- OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) involves collecting and analyzing publicly available information from various sources (Petersen & Tjalve, 2018).
- HUMINT (Human Intelligence) refers to intelligence gathered directly from human interactions rather than digital or publicly available data (Shulsky & Schmitt, 2002).
Using OSINT When Preparing for an Interview
When an HR representative or recruiter schedules you for a series of interviews, they have already reviewed your resume, initial screening call feedback, and your LinkedIn profile. But what do you know about them? To balance the information, ask your recruiter or HR contact for details about the interviewers, including their names and roles. Typically, recruiters will share this information because they are motivated to fill positions quickly. If they don’t volunteer the details—or if you forget to ask—you can look for hints such as names listed on meeting invites.
Once you have these names, your goal is to learn as much as you ethically can about your interviewers’ roles, experiences, interests, and professional connections. This information allows you to tailor your responses strategically for each interviewer. LinkedIn is an excellent first resource, and a premium subscription offers additional benefits, such as anonymous profile views. Deciding whether to hide your profile visit or boldly send a connection request before an interview is subjective – each approach has merits. You might also use search engines or YouTube for further insights, but avoid personal social media like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to prevent crossing into intrusive territory (Bail, 2021).
Practical Application
For instance, discovering common experiences such as previous employers, educational backgrounds, or shared locations can help establish rapport. Crafting your interview responses around these shared experiences creates familiarity and demonstrates genuine interest. Conversely, avoid discussing negative experiences or airing grievances, even if you share a previous employer. Your goal is to positively connect, reduce anxiety, and demonstrate your preparedness—all key qualities interviewers value highly.
Using HUMINT When Preparing for an Interview
Once you’ve completed OSINT research, enhance your preparation with HUMINT. One critical moment during interviews is when you are asked, “Do you have any questions for me?” Answering “no” is always a missed opportunity. Thoughtful questions indicate your genuine interest and thorough preparation.
Use this opportunity strategically by asking questions about other interviewers you are scheduled to meet. For example, if you speak first with Chandra and next with Bob, the hiring manager, you might ask:
- “What insights can you share about Bob’s management style?”
- “Could you tell me more about projects you’ve collaborated on with Bob?”
- “How would you describe Bob’s team, and how might I best contribute?”
These HUMINT questions demonstrate your enthusiasm and seriousness about the role and provide deeper insights for your subsequent interviews. However, always be sensitive—if the interviewer hesitates to share details, do not press further. Even asking these questions conveys your motivation and preparation, traits highly valued by hiring teams (Chamorro-Premuzic & Yearsley, 2017).
The Long-Term Value of OSINT and HUMINT
Even if you don’t receive the job offer, your preparation and research have not been wasted. Numerous external factors influence hiring decisions. Research indicates that approximately 30% of jobs are filled internally, and some positions remain unfilled due to changing business priorities or funding limitations (Cappelli, 2019). Nevertheless, your gained insights remain valuable.
If your interviews went positively and you formed genuine connections, keep those relationships alive. Connect with interviewers on LinkedIn and periodically stay in touch. You might be the ideal candidate for their next available role. Furthermore, as professionals frequently change organizations, maintaining these relationships can open doors to future opportunities.
Conclusion
Knowledge truly is power, especially in job searches. Strategic use of OSINT and HUMINT can significantly enhance your interview success and long-term career development. By ethically leveraging publicly available information and nurturing professional relationships, you position yourself as a proactive, thoughtful, and resourceful candidate. Career progression is a long-term pursuit, and actively engaging in thoughtful preparation will inevitably lead to opportunities.
References
- Bail, C. (2021). Breaking the social media prism: How to make our platforms less polarizing. Princeton University Press.
- Cappelli, P. (2019). Your approach to hiring is all wrong. Harvard Business Review, 97(3), 48-57.
- Chamorro-Premuzic, T., & Yearsley, A. (2017). To ace an interview, talk about failure. Harvard Business Review, 95(2), 112-118.
- Petersen, K. L., & Tjalve, V. S. (2018). Intelligence expertise in the age of information sharing: Public-private ‘collection’ and its challenges to democratic control and accountability. Intelligence and National Security, 33(1), 93-107.
- Shulsky, A. N., & Schmitt, G. J. (2002). Silent warfare: Understanding the world of intelligence. Potomac Books.