Competitive Intelligence
Competitive Intelligence is the process of understanding what other companies in your industry are doing, and using this knowledge to make better business decisions. It's like being a business detective - professionals in this field gather and analyze information about competitors, market trends, and customer preferences, all through legal and ethical means. Think of it as helping companies stay one step ahead by knowing what's happening in their market. This work often involves research, analysis, and creating reports that help leaders make strategic choices about their business direction.
Examples in Resumes
Led Competitive Intelligence projects that identified new market opportunities worth $2M
Developed Competitive Intelligence reports to guide product development strategy
Created monthly CI and Competitive Intelligence briefings for executive leadership
Managed Market Intelligence and Competitive Intelligence database for 50+ competitors
Typical job title: "Competitive Intelligence Analysts"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Competitive Intelligence Analysts
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a competitive intelligence strategy for a company entering a new market?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show they can create a complete plan including: identifying key competitors, determining what information is needed, choosing research methods, setting up reporting systems, and explaining how to use the insights for business decisions.
Q: How do you ensure your CI activities stay ethical and legal?
Expected Answer: Should discuss proper research methods, avoiding corporate espionage, using only public information, respecting confidentiality, and following industry ethical guidelines.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What sources do you use to gather competitive intelligence?
Expected Answer: Should mention various sources like public financial reports, news articles, company websites, social media, industry reports, customer feedback, and trade shows.
Q: How do you present competitive intelligence findings to executives?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to create clear, actionable reports, use visual aids, focus on key insights, and connect findings to business goals.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between primary and secondary research in CI?
Expected Answer: Should explain that primary research involves direct collection of information (interviews, surveys) while secondary research uses existing sources (reports, articles, websites).
Q: How do you organize and maintain competitive intelligence data?
Expected Answer: Should discuss basic database management, regular updates, fact-checking, and keeping information organized and easily accessible.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic research and data collection
- Report writing
- Database management
- Market monitoring
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced analysis techniques
- Project management
- Presentation skills
- Industry expertise
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategy development
- Team leadership
- Executive communication
- Advanced analytical frameworks
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with research methods or data analysis
- Poor communication skills
- Lack of business acumen
- No understanding of ethical guidelines in CI
- Unable to explain how CI supports business decisions
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