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Researching Your Prospective Employer

N. V. Kissoff, P.E., Ph.D. ENGT-2000

Professional Development

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Should you research a company? Showing up to an interview without knowing about the company is a recipe for failure!

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Why research a company? 1. It shows a genuine interest

in the company. 2. Helps to see if you have the

skills demanded of the position.

3. Helps to see if you fit the company.

4. Turnoff to an interviewer when asked why you want to work there.

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Why research a company? 5. It provides a good first

impression to be able to talk about the company.

6. It allows you to formulate questions about the company.

7. Helps to make sure you don’t make a mistake taking a job with an ill-fitting company.

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What to look for Research should accumulate every pertinent tidbit of information possible that may: •Help you in the interview. •Help you decide if you want to join the company. This is the one of a few things you actually control prior to an interview. Take full advantage of it!!! (What else do you control?)

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1. Quick Basic Facts What to look for?

Company Name: Get it right! Size of company Office Locations Basic understanding of business Why have it? To prevent you from making easy mistakes. Where to find it? Company website Google, Linkedin, Indeed

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2. Skills They Want What to look for?

Qualities that they want in the ideal candidate. Why have it? Like to be able to play up your skills with their

needs for the position. Where to find it? Specific position job posting or Similar postings on company website.

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3. Company Culture What to look for? Mission Statement Core Values Leadership Sustainability Community Involvement Where to find it? “About Us” section of company website. Company Social Media

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4. Recent News What to look for?

Any tidbit of current events involving company. Why have it? Allows understanding of current trends. You can hit the ground running. Where to find it? Company Website “Newsroom” or “Press” Google, Trade Journals websites, Local News websites for smaller firms

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5. Competition What to look for?

Who is the competition and where does this company fit in the big picture?

Why have it? Allows you to talk about the industry as a whole. Where to find it? Linkedin (other companies people viewed). Crunchbase.com, Forbes.com. Indeed.com

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6. Key Players in Organization What to look for?

Names and longevity of CEO and other administrators.

Is the company stand alone or a subsidiary? Why have it? Get a feel for company leadership, direction and

stability of the company. Where to find it? Company website, Linkedin

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7. Clients, Products & Services What to look for?

What the company produces and does. Why have it? Gives you an idea of what you might be doing. Allows for question formulation. Where to find it? Company website News releases

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8. Inside Scoop What to look for?

Information about salary and working conditions. Information about mood of the employees. Why have it? So you know what you are getting into. Where to find it? Social media (Facebook & Twitter) Glassdoor.com, Indeed.com Linkedin to find a contact that works there.

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9. Interviewer Information What to look for?

General information that would be publically available from standard social media.

Why have it? To understand how the interviewer fits in the

company, their background and possible common interests.

Where to find it? Email correspondence you have been sent or Politely request it.

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Do’s & Don’ts with Information

You’ve collected and compiled lots of data on the company with which you are interviewing. Now what??

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Don’t Jump to Conclusions Just because you found information on the web, doesn’t mean that it’s valid or true. Don’t jump to conclusions about the company!

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Don’t’s

• Focus on minutia. • Be a walking encyclopedia. • Use only company websites for research. • Stalk the interviewer. • Put the interviewer on the defensive with

negative information.

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Do’s

• Work in examples. • Tell how certain things you found kindle

your interest in the company. • Formulate questions from information. • Make connections between your skills and

the company’s strengths. • Be positive!!!

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Information for Career Fair vs. an Interview

Career fairs pose a different scenario. There are too many companies to do involved

research. Career fairs are more a get to know you event. Research the basic facts on companies you

have an interest in. Take those notes with you for a refresher

before stopping at the company table.

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Proper Preparation Prevents Problems!!

Remember that you control the information you can gather and take to help you in the interview. Do it wisely!!

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Cell Phone Break

One minute text message break