Research an Employer

Importance of Researching an Employer

• Begin your research at least two weeks before your interview!
• The majority of employer information is contained within their web site. Research and familiarize yourself with the organization's vision and mission statements, products, services, customer philosophy, and practices.
• Have they won any awards that have distinguished them in their industry or professional field in the past year?
• What image does the organization portray through its web site? What does it say about its culture and how they professionally support their employees?
• Read the annual report for the past year’s highlights and challenges.
• Know how the organization fares with its competitors, and what reputation it has within its professional field.
• Ask your professors about what they may know your employer of interest!
• Check with the Career Services/Cooperative Education Offices to see if they have any current literature and brochures. Consult the most recent editions of Job Choices for a profile or check out these web sites:  www.jobweb.org or http://www.jobweb.com/career_development/career_resources.htm   This site has the web links to the major on-line references.
• Research the organization in the news media, such as: the NY Times www.nytimes.com, Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and The Economist.
• Explore the Internet search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Dogpile. Check out PR Newswire www.prnewswire.com for recent announcements. Go to Hoover's Online www.hoovers.com  for a company profile and list of competitors or to industry trades like The Red Herring (www.redherring.com) and The Industry Standard www.thestandard.com for profiles plus additional coverage. Annual reports and other government filings can be obtained through www.sec.gov or www.edgar-online.com. You can also obtain valuable information by accessing Vault: an on-line reference guide: www.vault.com.
• Visit the Saint Peter’s College Library. Consult with other research aids such Standard & Poors, and the Dun & Bradstreet Business Directory.
• Know the position description that you are interviewing for and focus your questions based on your research: 
  What are the company’s needs? Are they growing in the industry? Where do they see themselves in the market in 5 and 
  10 years?

• Prior to your interview, write down at least 6 questions that you would like to ask the interviewer based on your research.
• Knowing that you have thoroughly prepared for the interview will improve your self-confidence and poise!

For further information we recommend that you read “ How to Research an Employer” by Karmen N. T. Crowther: An excellent article in the JobWeb site: http://www.jobweb.com/resources/library/Career_Pursuit/How_to_Research_262_1.htm