Quick Tips for Researching Companies Online

Researching a company prior to sending them your resume and cover letter is a necessary component of the job search process. You must customize your information so that it fits in with the company's needs. Today's interviewers expect you to have done your homework in advance since it is relatively easy for nearly any jobseeker to access company information online. If you have not done basic research, you will be at a disadvantage when compared to other job candidates.

Arming yourself with company research will help you sell yourself in your cover letter and in an interview, should you be that fortunate. There are very few things that displease an interviewer more than not knowing about the company. Some say it's better to be late to an interview and know the company inside and out than to be early and know nothing at all about the company!

Here are the basic questions you should be able to answer about the company, and most, if not all, of this information can be found by conducting basic online research: Does the company sell products, provide services, or both? What is the primary focus of the business? How does this company differ from its competitors? Who are its competitors? What is the company's mission statement? How many employees are at the company? How long has the company been in business? Is it local, national or global? As you peruse the company website, familiarize yourself with the top executives and their backgrounds. Read company press releases so you know what public image the company wants to project about itself. You must be able to demonstrate how your qualifications, experience, and interests uniquely position you for a role within that company.

"Googling"

Perhaps the most comprehensive search engine is google.com, and "googling" will yield a plethora of information simply by entering the company name. If you are interviewing with a senior manager or executive, "google" the person's name, along with the company name, to see if they have been quoted in the media or written company articles or otherwise been mentioned in the press. Here are some additional ideas for quick, targeted research:

Company website

Be sure to visit the company's website and familiarize yourself with the business. Check out the mission statement, press releases, and investor information. What does the employment section look like? Is there special emphasis on diversity and does the career section promote a progressive corporate culture?

Hoovers

Hoovers online is a great place to research companies and their industries. You can widen your network of prospective employers by including several different companies within the same or similar sector. This is an excellent source for additional job leads because if you are interested in working for a particular company, you will probably be interested in working for their competitors, too.

Business publications

Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com)
Career Journal (www.careerjournal.com)
Fortune (www.fortune.com)
Forbes (www.forbes.com)
Business 2.0 (www.business20.com)
Fast Company (www.fastcompany.com)

Using the "search" function within these business publication sites is a great way to unearth nuggets about your target company and industry, as well as miscellaneous business-related issues of interest. Enter the company name or topics that are important to you. For instance, what companies are mentioned in a search for "diversity" or "disabled"? (Note: "Disabled" tends to yield more hits than "diversity", but try both terms for maximum results.)

Organizing your information

Create paper files that contain company information for your job search - and keep them near your phone so that you are ready to answer questions if you receive a call about one of the jobs. Print out articles or web pages of interest to you, or that relate to a specific job description so that you can refer to this information in your cover letter. Mention your findings in your cover letter and relate this to your experience and career goals. Be prepared to discuss your research if you are invited to an interview at the company.

Presenting yourself as an informed and interested candidate is necessary in today's job market. Be sure to make company research a regular part of your job search plan.