Researching Employers
Why Research Information on Employers?
There are two basic reasons to research
employers: 1) to aid you in your job search; and 2) to help prepare you
for your interview.
Researching an employer during your job search
can help you determine more about that organization and your potential place
in it. Some important information to look for includes what activities are
carried out by the employer, how financially stable the employer is, and
what types of jobs exist with the employer. Using available resources, you
can gain a better understanding of what career potential exists with a particular
employer. One approach to finding a job is to use a hierarchial strategy:
- Find industries that meet your needs.
- Locate employers within your targeted industries.
- Research information on executives.
Preparing for an interview is essential for success! Before meeting your
potential employer it is essential to know what they do; how they do it;
their financial state (if they are expanding or downsizing); expectations
of potential employees in terms of skills, education, and previous experience;
and what you can offer them.
Where Do Yo Find Information On Employers?
The following types of resources should prove useful in your research.
- Career Services Resource Room offers various company profiles.
- Annual Reports - These reports and other materials are available
from an organization's public relations/information office. Most large
organizations produce a report, which presents an outline of the organization's
successes, growth, history, goals, and financial status. Note: companies
prepare two public reports: one for stockholders (Annual Report) and one
for the Securities and Exchange Commission (10-K Report). A 10-K report
has less narrative but contains more comprehensive financial reporting.
- Directories - These are geographic, business, occupational,
professional, industry, and financial status directories available in your
library. These directories may provide information about an organization's
products or services, number of employees, principal executives, and location(s).
- Trade Associations - These organizations produce membership
directories, journals (which provide information about trends and issues
in the field), and information briefs. They also hold annual conferences
for your networking, information gathering, and professional development
purposes. Remember, almost every type of field or industry that exists
has a trade association affiliation (e.g., American Society of Interpreters,
Museum Store Association, National Mental Health Association).
- Newspapers - The business section of most papers contain numerous
articles about local companies and their executives. Articles about non-profit
organizations often appear in a newspaper's local interest section.
- Fellow Professionals - Other professionals in the field can
provide "word-of-mouth" information about organizations of interest.
- Competitors - Often an organization's competitors offer excellent
insight about the inner working of that organization.
- Public Documents - Government and quasi-government organizations
have records that must be made available to the public.
