How to Show a Company You Want to Work There in 2026

Showing a company that you want to work there may feel like it’s a given when you’re applying for a job. Shouldn’t your application alone be enough to show an employer you are interested in working for their company? In today’s oversaturated job market, the answer is unfortunately, no. Business Insider found that in Q3 of 2025—driven by higher demand and AI-assisted applications—the average job posting had 242 applications, three times the number from 2017. 

Those numbers might sound inflated, but I’ve experienced this firsthand. I was recently in a first-round interview for a role where the interviewer told me I was one-of-ten candidates out of 250 applications. So, how are you supposed to stand out in a sea of hundreds of applicants?

Lucky for you, you already do stand out because of your athletic background. But there is more you can do to show a company that you want to work there and why you are different. As your new favorite place for real career advice, we are here to give you candidate engagement tips to help you stand out from the masses and demonstrate genuine interest in a company in 2026 without being performative or pretentious. 

Before You Apply for the Job

The best way to show a company you're interested in working there is very simple: actually be interested in working there. Be diligent in your pre-application research so you don't waste time applying to companies that don't align with your values. Several factors can help you find companies that match your career goals and overall vibe: hybrid/remote/in-person work models, job growth and career development opportunities, benefits, and industry focus, to name a few.

Do Your Research

Company Culture

A great way to understand a company's culture is directly from their employees. Go beyond the 'About Us' and 'Mission, Vision, Values' pages on their website. Check out LinkedIn and see how employees interact with their company's posts—this is a great way to use LinkedIn effectively beyond just applying to jobs. Many companies also post YouTube or TikTok videos showcasing their workplace culture and employer branding initiatives. To go even deeper, look at who they're partnering with or what recent collaborations they're highlighting on social media—this is a good indicator of their community engagement priorities. Other helpful apps include Glassdoor, designed for employees to leave candid reviews on their employers, and of course, there is Prospect HQ!

Prospect HQ strives to create an authentic community for former and current student-athletes to share career advice and experiences. If you see a Prospect HQ member who worked for a company you're interested in, you should reach out!

Hiring Manager

There's nothing wrong with a little friendly cyber-stalking. If you see an opening that interests you and a hiring manager is listed, check them out on LinkedIn or their bio on the company website. This can be a good indicator of the kind of people the company attracts.

Salary 

Do some market research on salaries for similar roles you're applying for. Look into tools such as Glassdoor, Indeed, O*Net for general salary inquiries, or more industry specific ones such as Product Marketing Alliance for product marketers or Levels.fyi for tech roles. Wage transparency is becoming more commonplace across the job market, and salary ranges on job postings are now a legal requirement in some states, making it easier to know if a company will pay you fairly.

Understand the Industry and Company 

Go further than the ‘About’ page on their company website. Look at hiring managers' previous roles and projects (people love to talk about themselves, so make notes of their experiences to recall during an interview). Look for annual reports or long-form content pieces and pull out 1-2 anecdotes you can share (qualitative and quantitative). See what they're highlighting on external channels like social media, email, and in the news.

The Bottom Line: Make sure you're genuinely interested in working for a company before investing time in an application. Why waste effort on a company where you can't see yourself fitting in? Preparation is key—so once you've decided you like a company, it's time to prepare and apply!

In Your Job Application

Your job application is your first impression with a prospective employer and the first place you can show genuine interest in a job. Your interest should go beyond using keywords from the job posting in your resume and cover letter (although that's important, too). It should go deeper—the employer should feel like you're speaking their language when reading your application.

Tailor Your Resume/Cover Letter 

The first thing you can do to ensure your job application gets noticed is tailoring your resume and cover letter to the job description. Use keywords from the job description in your resume and mirror their brand voice in the language that you use in your cover letter. This shows you've taken the time to learn about the company, and it also ensures your application gets read by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), common software that employers use to screen resumes for keywords.

For example: If you're applying to a sports marketing role at Nike that emphasizes "driving athlete engagement" and "building community," don't just say you "increased social media followers" at your campus rec center. Instead, say you "drove student-athlete engagement by building an inclusive community through targeted social media campaigns." Same achievement, but now you're speaking their language.

Connect the Dots 

Make it crystal clear why you're the right fit by answering these questions in your application materials:

• How do you fit into their company culture? If the company values innovation and you led your team in implementing a new training app, highlight that.
• What gaps are you filling for them? Maybe they need someone who collaborates well but can also own projects independently—your experience working within a team system while managing your own training schedule and academic workload is exactly that bridge.
• What problems are you solving for them? If they're hiring for a customer support role that requires patience and clear communication, explain how your experience as a senior helping freshmen navigate team dynamics and expectations taught you to break down complex information for people with different experience levels.

Send a Message to the Hiring Manager 

After applying, send a brief LinkedIn message to the hiring manager. Keep it professional but genuine:

Message to Hiring Manager Example:

Hi [Insert Hiring Manager Name],

I’m a [current or former] student-athlete from [insert school name], and I just applied for the [Job Title] position, I noticed you worked at [previous company name] before joining [current company]– I actually [insert personal connection or affiliation] and saw firsthand [relevant insight]. That experience is part of why this role stood out to me. 

Happy to share more about how I’d approach [specific responsibility from job posting]. Let me know if you’d like to connect!

Best,

[Your Name]

During the Interview 

You nailed your application and made it to the interview stage. This is your opportunity to differentiate yourself from other candidates. Be prepared to recall those points from their annual report or from your interviewer's background that you researched earlier.

Ask Engaging Questions 

One of the most underrated ways to show genuine interest during a job interview is by asking engaging questions. You should have a few questions prepared, but also be ready to think on the spot and ask questions that come up organically during the conversation.

For example:

• "I noticed in your Q3 report that you expanded into three new markets. How is that growth impacting this role?"
• "I saw on LinkedIn that you transitioned from [previous company] to here two years ago. What made you make that move, and what's kept you here?"
• "You mentioned the team is shifting toward more data-driven decision-making. What tools or platforms are you currently using, and is there room for someone in this role to bring new ideas?"

Recall Facts About the Company 

Reference specific, recent developments to show you've done your homework. Talk about a recent rebrand, acquisition, product launch, or achievement that genuinely interests you.

For example:

• "I saw your customer retention rate is over 90%, which tells me customer experience is a top priority here. How are you balancing that focus with new business development and lead generation initiatives?"
• "I read that you just partnered with [specific organization]. As someone who's passionate about [related areas], I'm curious how that partnership is shaping the team's priorities this year."
• "Your recent rebrand really stood out to me, especially the shift toward emphasizing community impact. How has that repositioning changed the way your team approaches [relevant function]?"

Use Your Professional Network and References (If you Have them) 

If you have a genuine connection, use it strategically. Name-dropping is okay when you have the credentials to back it up and when it's relevant. Ensure that the references you do mention still have a good relationship with the company or hiring manager. 

For example:

• "I actually spoke with [Name], who worked here as a [role] before moving to [company]. They mentioned the collaborative culture and how much autonomy the team has to experiment with new strategies. That really aligns with how I approached leading initiatives on my team."
• "I'm connected with [Name] through Prospect HQ, and they shared how supportive the company has been in helping former athletes transition their leadership skills into the workplace. Hearing that firsthand made me even more excited about this opportunity because I'm looking for a place that values the perspective athletes bring."

Prospect HQ Pro Tip: This is exactly why building your network on Prospect HQ matters. When you can authentically reference conversations with current or former employees who are also student-athletes, it shows you're not just interested in any job—you're interested in this company and you've done the work to understand what it's really like to work there.

After the Interview

The interview is over, so what's next? Regardless of how you think you did, be sure to send a timely job interview follow-up and take the time to think about what went well. 

Reflect on Your Performance

Just like after you finish playing in a game, take time to reflect on how the interview went while it's still fresh in your mind. What did you do well? What could you improve next time? Did you connect with the people you interviewed with? Were there any positive signals that they want to move forward with you, such as introducing you to other team members, showing you around the office, discussing next steps in detail, or asking about your start date availability?

For example: If you felt caught off guard by a question about handling conflict, jot that down and prepare a stronger answer for future interviews. Or if you noticed great chemistry when discussing team dynamics, that's valuable insight about culture fit.

Send a Timely Follow-Up 

Send a follow-up email within 24 hours to either the hiring manager or recruiter. Keep it brief, genuine, and specific.

Follow-Up Email Example:

Hi [Interviewer Name],

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the [Job Title] position. I really enjoyed learning more about [specific topic discussed]. Our conversation reinforced my excitement about the opportunity, especially [specific aspect—for example: "the emphasis on professional development" or "the collaborative team structure you described"].

I'm confident my experience [brief relevant example—for example: "leading our team through a challenging season" or "managing multiple priorities as a student-athlete"] would allow me to contribute meaningfully to your team.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. Looking forward to hearing about next steps!

Best,
[Your Name]

Stay Engaged (Without Being Pushy)

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If you haven't heard back within the timeframe they mentioned, it's okay to send a polite check-in email after a week or two. Hiring managers are busy and sometimes priorities slip. Keep it short and professional.

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For example:
Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my application for the [Job Title] position. I remain very interested in the opportunity and would love to know if there are any updates. Please let me know if you need anything else from me. Thanks! 

Be Gracious if You Don’t Get the Job 

Rejection stings—especially after you've invested time and energy into the process. If you've played at a high level and rarely faced rejection in athletics, this might feel particularly unfamiliar. But how you handle it matters. Send a brief, professional response thanking them for the opportunity and expressing interest in future openings.

For example:

Hi [Interviewer Name],

Thank you for letting me know. While I'm disappointed, I really appreciated the opportunity to learn more about [Company Name] and your team. I remain interested in the company and would love to be considered for future opportunities that align with my background and experience. 

Best of luck with the search, and I hope our paths cross again.

Best,
[Your Name]

Why this matters: You never know what doors may open for you there in the future. The person who got the job might not work out, a new position might open up in six months, or the hiring manager might move to another company and remember you. The professional world is smaller than you think, especially in niche industries. Leave every interaction on a positive note.

Keep Building Momentum 

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. While you're waiting to hear back from one company, keep applying, networking, and preparing for other opportunities. Treat your job search like training—consistency and persistence pay off.

Final Thoughts 

We hope these candidate engagement tips help you find companies you're truly interested in working for and showcase that interest authentically throughout your job search process. Remember, standing out isn't about being someone you're not. Instead, it's about strategically highlighting the unique perspective and skills you've developed as a student-athlete.

Ready to take your job search to the next level? Prospect HQ is built by and for student-athletes like you. Connect with former athletes working at companies you're interested in, get insider advice on navigating interviews, and access resources specifically designed to help you translate your athletic experience into career success.

Sign up for Prospect HQ today and join a community that gets it. For more job search tips tailored to student-athletes, check out our blog at https://prospect-hq.com/blog.