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Please send all questions and assignments to your instructor: |
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| daniel.solarek@utoledo.edu | ||
Researching a Company
Introduction
Before you apply for a co-op or full-time job at a particular company, you should learn as much about that company as possible. Researching the company will give you the information you need when deciding if this is a company for which you would like to work. It will also help to prepare you for an interview with a representative from that company.
Here are some sample questions that you should seek to answer as you research the company:
- What products/services does the company provide?
- How many employees does the company have?
- How long have they been in business?
- Where is the company located? Does it have more than one location?
- What is the company's mission statement or philosophy?
- What is the company's financial situation? Is it making money?
- Has the company undergone any downsizing in the last five years?
When you research a company, you want to ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I want to work here?
(how does this company match up with my beliefs, goals, expectations, interests, envisioned career path.) - Why would they want to hire me?
(how do I match up with the company's beliefs, goals, expectations, interests, envisioned career path.) - Would employment with this company help to meet my educational and career goals?
In these tough economic times, any job can seem like a good job. However, keep in mind that you will spend eight+ hours a day in this work environment. If you like being there, it can be a positive experience. Finding the answers to these questions will not only help you decide whether or not to apply, it will also help you tailor your resume and cover letter, and in your interview. You'll look prepared - as if you haven't done a blanket, shot-gun job hunting approach.
A Guide to Researching Companies: Quintessential Careers offers links that provide you with a information about companies, including financial data, location, sales forecasts, profits, industry profiles, and other information.
The Riley Guide: The Riley Guide provides resources on researching companies and finding a job.
Online Resources
Although the Web isn't the only source that you should consult, it is certainly a quick and efficient tool for learning the answers to a number of important questions. The sections that follow offer some suggestions for using the Web to aid your research.
Company Website
If you have a specific company in mind, the best place to begin your search is with that company's Web site. If you don't know the URL of the company Web site, try using Google and other search engines to find it. The Web sites for most companies are surprisingly easy to find.
Other Online Sources
The links below represent a small fraction of those available on the Web. As above, use Google or other search engines to look for additional resources.
- Hoover's Online: Free site. Provides comprehensive company, industry, and market information. Includes a database of 12 million companies, with in-depth coverage of 40,000 of the world's top business enterprises.
- JobWeb.com: The National Association for Colleges and Employers also profiles companies in their annual "Job Choices" publication. Their Web site has information on selected companies.
- Company Information Guide: Company Research on the Web. This well-organized, authoritative research guide provides eight steps for finding information about companies on the web. The guide directs the user to web sites offered for free, websites for subscribers only and websites that charge a fee.
- CorporateInformation.com Both a meta-site and a search engine. Focuses on providing access to web-based information on companies throughout the world. Searches include: a company; a country's industry; research by country; research reports; research by state; and news updates. [Free, but registration is required]
- Searching for Company Information: Excellent research guide from the New York Public Library.
- BizLink: An excellent, selective, annotated directory of resources that support the local, national, and international business communities, and others conducting business research.
Traditional Sources
Newspapers. The Business section of the newspaper is a great place to find information about local companies. Also, look for current press releases to get updated on present events. For companies that are not local, check out the Web site for the newspaper in the area where the company has its offices. Most newspapers offer a version of their publication online.
Directories. Directories such as Dun & Bradstreet Business Information Reports, Moody's Manual, and Standard & Poor can be found at the University or public library and provide information about an organization's products or services, number of employees, history, etc.
Trade and Professional Associations. Seek out associations that match your career interest and contact them to obtain information such as their membership list, printed material they offer, and any job listing publications they produce. Again, these associations are likely to have a Web site that provides significant information. Also, be sure to determine if they have student memberships or a resume referral service. Figure out if you know any students or other contacts that have worked for the company. Ask them ahead of time for information that would be valuable to know in your interview.
How to Use Your Research
You will be given the opportunity to use your research every time you are asked a question during the interview process. For instance, when asked "Why do you want a co-op assignment with us?" you will be able to list all the great things about the organization that you like. Essentially, you want to tell that person what they already know, you will impress the interviewer with your knowledge of their company. If you have done your research you will show how serious you are about working for the company.
The purpose of an interview is to make sure each party is a match for the other. Therefore, you need to read between the lines. When asked "What are your future goals?" realize you are actually being asked "How are your goals compatible with our needs?"
The bottom line is that a co-op interview is not much different than a full-time job interview. You want a co-op assignment and need to prepare in order to prove you can make a contribution to the organization.
