LumaResume

Researching Industry Trends & Market Position

Understand competitors, market dynamics, and company positioning to discuss strategic insights.
Company Research

LumaResume Team

Dec 10, 2024

11 min

Industry Trends Preparation: Demonstrating Business Acumen

"What do you think about [recent industry development]?"

You freeze. You haven't been following industry news closely. You give a vague answer and move on.

Missed opportunity.

Here's the reality: Interviewers want to know you understand the broader landscape. Knowing your job is table stakes. Knowing the industry shows strategic thinking, curiosity, and business acumen.

What industry awareness demonstrates:

  • Strategic thinking: You see beyond day-to-day tasks
  • Curiosity: You stay informed about your field
  • Business acumen: You understand market dynamics
  • Culture fit: You're intellectually engaged

When it comes up:

  • "What trends are you seeing in [industry]?"
  • "How do you think [regulation/tech/competitor] will impact our business?"
  • "Where do you see this industry in 5 years?"

This guide shows you how to research industry trends, identify what matters, and discuss them intelligently in interviews.

Why Industry Trends Matter

1. Differentiates You from Other Candidates

Most candidates prepare role-specific answers. Few demonstrate industry fluency.

2. Shows You Think Strategically

Understanding trends shows you can connect your work to broader business outcomes.

3. Creates Engaging Conversations

Interviewers enjoy discussing trends with informed candidates.

4. Helps You Evaluate the Company

Knowing industry challenges helps you assess if the company is well-positioned.

💡 Pro Tip: Spend 30-60 minutes on industry research before final-round interviews.

How to Research Industry Trends (3-Step Process)

Step 1: Identify Your Industry (Be Specific)

Don't just say "tech." Be precise:

  • SaaS / Cloud Infrastructure
  • Fintech / Digital Payments
  • E-commerce / Retail
  • Healthcare Technology
  • Marketing Technology
  • Consumer Apps
  • Enterprise Software
  • Cybersecurity

Why specificity matters: Trends in "fintech" are different from "healthcare tech."

Step 2: Research Current Trends (1 hour)

Sources to check:

Industry publications:

  • TechCrunch, The Verge (tech)
  • eMarketer, AdAge (marketing)
  • American Banker (finance)
  • Modern Healthcare (healthcare)
  • RetailDive (retail)

Business news:

  • Wall Street Journal
  • Bloomberg
  • Financial Times

Industry reports:

  • Gartner Hype Cycle
  • McKinsey industry reports
  • Deloitte insights

Google search:

"[Your industry] trends 2025" "[Your industry] challenges 2025" "[Your industry] predictions"

What to look for:

  • Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, automation)
  • Regulatory changes (privacy laws, industry regulations)
  • Market shifts (customer behavior, competitive landscape)
  • Economic factors (funding, M&A activity, market growth)

Step 3: Focus on 3-5 Key Trends

Don't try to memorize everything. Pick 3-5 trends you can discuss intelligently.

Example: SaaS Industry (2025)

  1. AI Integration: Every SaaS product adding AI features; table stakes for competitiveness
  2. Consumption-based Pricing: Shift from flat subscriptions to usage-based models
  3. Data Privacy Regulations: GDPR, CCPA impact on how SaaS companies handle customer data
  4. Vertical SaaS Growth: Industry-specific solutions (healthcare SaaS, fintech SaaS) outpacing horizontal
  5. Consolidation: Larger players acquiring smaller ones; harder for new entrants

How to Discuss Trends in Interviews

Framework: Trend → Impact → Company Position

Step 1: Name the trend

"One major trend I'm seeing is [trend]."

Step 2: Explain why it matters

"This is significant because [impact on customers/market/competitors]."

Step 3: Connect to the company

"I'm curious how [Company] is approaching this. Are you [building features/adjusting strategy/etc.]?"

Example:

"One trend I'm following is the shift to consumption-based pricing in SaaS. Customers are pushing back on paying for seats they don't use, and we're seeing leaders like Snowflake and Datadog succeed with usage-based models. I'm curious—has [Company] considered moving in that direction, or are you sticking with subscription pricing? What's been your experience?"

Why this works:

  • Shows you've done research
  • Demonstrates you understand implications
  • Turns it into a two-way conversation
  • Lets you evaluate their strategy

Common Industry Trend Questions & How to Answer

Question 1: "What trends are you seeing in [industry]?"

Strong Answer Structure:

"I'm seeing three main trends:

  1. [Trend 1]: [Brief explanation]. This matters because [impact].
  2. [Trend 2]: [Brief explanation]. Companies are responding by [action].
  3. [Trend 3]: [Brief explanation]. I'm particularly interested in how [Company] is positioned here.

Which of these is [Company] most focused on?"

Why this works:

  • Shows breadth of knowledge (3 trends)
  • Explains why each matters (not just buzzwords)
  • Asks for their perspective (engagement)

Question 2: "How do you think [specific trend] will impact our business?"

Strong Answer Structure:

"From what I've read, [trend] is likely to [impact]. I see two main implications for [Company]:

Opportunity: [How company could benefit] Challenge: [What company will need to navigate]

I'd love to hear your take—am I thinking about this correctly?"

Example:

"From what I've read, AI is commoditizing a lot of basic SaaS features. I see two implications for [Company]: The opportunity is to differentiate through [unique value prop or vertical focus]. The challenge is that customers will expect AI features at no additional cost. I'd love to hear how the product team is thinking about this."

Why this works:

  • Shows critical thinking (opportunities + challenges)
  • Specific to their business
  • Invites discussion

Question 3: "Where do you see this industry in 5 years?"

Strong Answer Structure:

"I think we'll see [2-3 predictions] based on current trajectories. But what's most interesting to me is [wildcard factor]. How is [Company] preparing for different scenarios?"

Example:

"I think in 5 years we'll see further consolidation, with 3-4 major platforms dominating and smaller players getting acquired. AI will be table stakes, not a differentiator. What's most interesting to me is how regulation might reshape the landscape—privacy laws could force major architectural changes. How is [Company] thinking about long-term positioning?"

Why this works:

  • Shows forward-thinking
  • Acknowledges uncertainty ("wildcard factor")
  • Asks how they're preparing

Tailoring Trends to Different Interviewers

Hiring Manager (Focus: Team Impact)

Ask: "How are these trends changing what the team works on?"

Executive (Focus: Strategy)

Ask: "How is [Company] positioning itself against these trends?"

Product Manager (Focus: Product)

Ask: "Are you building features to address [trend]?"

Peer/IC (Focus: Day-to-Day)

Ask: "How do you see [trend] affecting your work?"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Mistake #1: Reciting Buzzwords Without Understanding

Why it fails: Interviewer will ask follow-up questions you can't answer.

Example of bad answer: "I think blockchain and Web3 are going to disrupt everything."

Do this instead: Only discuss trends you actually understand.

❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Company-Specific Context

Why it fails: Generic trend discussion doesn't show you've researched them.

Do this instead: Always connect trends back to the company's business.

❌ Mistake #3: Being Overly Negative

Why it fails: "Everything is doomed" doesn't inspire confidence.

Do this instead: Acknowledge challenges but also opportunities.

❌ Mistake #4: Pretending to Know More Than You Do

Why it fails: Gets exposed quickly under questioning.

Do this instead: "I'm not as familiar with that area—can you share your perspective?"

Industry Trend Research Checklist

30 days before interview: ☐ Subscribe to 2-3 industry newsletters ☐ Follow 5-10 industry leaders/publications on LinkedIn/Twitter

1 week before interview: ☐ Google "[industry] trends 2025" ☐ Read 3-5 recent articles from industry publications ☐ Check company blog for their take on trends

Day before interview: ☐ Review your 3-5 key trends ☐ Prepare 2-3 questions about how company is responding ☐ Practice discussing trends naturally (not rehearsed)

Key Takeaways

  1. Be specific: "Fintech" not "tech"—precision shows depth
  2. Focus on 3-5 trends: Quality over quantity
  3. Use the framework: Trend → Impact → Company position
  4. Make it a conversation: Ask how they're responding
  5. Tailor to interviewer: Execs want strategy, ICs want day-to-day impact
  6. Connect to company: Don't just list trends—relate them to their business
  7. Admit what you don't know: Better than faking it

Next Steps

  1. Identify your specific industry
  2. Research 3-5 current trends (spend 1 hour)
  3. Practice the framework: Trend → Impact → Company position
  4. Prepare 2-3 questions about how company is responding
  5. Read our guide on Company Research Checklist for comprehensive prep

Remember: Industry trends aren't trivia—they're conversation starters that reveal strategic thinking. When you demonstrate you understand the broader landscape, you signal you're not just looking for a job—you're building a career in this space. That's the kind of candidate companies want.