Conducting Effective Employer Research Using the Company Website

When you chose your college, there were probably a couple factors that caught your attention. You liked the people or the feel of the campus atmosphere and knew you should call it your home.

You just bought a new digital camera. You've looked into the best kinds of cameras for people of your photography expertise and figured out which camera will give you the best quality pictures. You may have even asked your tech-savvy friends for help.

What do these scenarios have in common?

You had to research to find the best possibility. Once you found the right product, you were satisfied with your purchase and couldn't wait to make full use of it. The same should be the case when you are researching companies during your job hunt. You didn't just drop off your resume or schedule an interview because you knew nothing about where you were applying.

In order to decide which companies will be the best fit for you, it is essential to do some research. You can also make a good impression on the interviewer because you already know some key facts. A lot of this pertinent information can be found on the company's website, which is usually linked to through a search engine or a job hunting website such as Monster or Career Builder.

Once you reach the homepage, you should go to their "About Us" section, which will give you a detailed history and mention names of key executives. From this section, you should be picking up the industry the company is in, the products and services it provides for its customers and clients, and their values and mission statement.

You should then read recent news and press releases. This will give you a good idea of how well the company is doing nationally or internationally and may mention new executive staff members. You should also look for any mention of awards the company has won; some of them can give you an idea of the people that already work there and the environment you'll be working in.

After you've looked into the company's background, you can then head over to the careers section. You will find some general information about opportunities available and the benefits employees receive. Some companies will list all the openings available and the qualifications for each; for others, you will be given an address or e-mail to send your resume to. If you decide you want to apply for an opening, make sure to follow the directions given for sending your resume and cover letter.

Now that you know how to research, here are some things you should do while you are looking for information:

Have a notebook and pen to take good notes. This will help you remember information when you are researching several companies. After awhile, it seems like everything starts to run together so having your notes nearby will definitely be of help. Make sure you label each set of notes and divide them into sections if possible.

Try to think up some possible questions you would ask in an interview based on the news releases and what you're reading in the mission statement and values. Don't ask something that is obvious based on your research.

If the company lists job openings on its website, read them carefully. Look for any common skills and qualifications between the openings, such as prior experience in another field, a certain character trait (such as being highly motivated), and college degrees in certain majors. In some cases, not all of these will always be required, but are highly preferred. If you don't think you'd meet the company's qualifications, you probably shouldn't submit your resume.

If you get an interview, make sure to review your notes before heading out. You don't want to sound scripted but you should make sure you sound like you know something. Make sure to mention your research to the interviewer, and you will no doubt be ahead of the competition.

Researching companies is similar to buying a product or choosing a school. You must consider all your options, do your homework, and make sure you are getting the best possible deal. You will be able to find out which companies you want to work for and where you don't want to be after all.