Company Research Basics

Research, research, research! That's one of your key tasks as a job seeker ... to research employers. You conduct this research to:

• Identify potential employers to contact.


• Evaluate potential employers as key prospects for your search.


• Learn about the company prior to interviews, negotiations, and acceptance of a job offer.

Okay, but what specific kinds of information are you looking for?

• Company mission, values, and vision.


• Company history; evidence of growth.


• Financial status; sales history; history of layoffs/downsizings/rightsizings.


• Sources of revenue; product lines; diversification; new/emerging products/services.


• Types of positions they hire for; benefit packages; salary structure.


• Internal organization; position titles of executives/directors/managers.


• News articles published about a company; press releases published by a company.


• Comparisons of how a particular employer stacks up with competitors (Best's insurance ratings is a class example).


• Names of corporate officers, board members, and key staff members in the department(s) you are most interested in joining.

When conducting employer/industry research, remember that your local reference librarian is one key contact you won't want to miss!

Check out these sample resources available through most public library systems for free:

• Associations Unlimited


• Business and Company Resource Center


• Hoover's Online


• Mergent Online


• Article archives


• News/information/newswire services

Happy hunting