A
successful job search requires that you research companies and industries
to identify the companies to which you wish to apply, and to present
yourself as a knowledgeable, interested candidate.
Since
most job openings are not advertised, you need to apply to targeted
companies, regardless of whether the firms are advertising open positions.
In addition, you need to learn enough about the companies to ask informed
questions at the interview and relate your qualifications to the needs
of the organization.
| |
Type of information to research includes:
- Size
and structure of the organization
- Headquarters
and branch locations
- Products/Services
- Major
executives in the firm and their backgrounds
- Management
philosophy and style
- Financial
health of organization
- Trends
and issues in the industry
- Relationship
of the organization to its competition
|
|
The
following resources will help you gather information:
-
The
Internet is an important tool for researching companies
and industries. Many employers expect candidates to be familiar
with their websites.
-
Annual
reports and other company literature, if read critically,
can provide a wealth of information. You can request this free
literature directly from the organizations. Be sure to allow a
week to receive information via U.S. mail. Fenwick Library also
has annual reports for some 7,000 publicly held companies available
through Compustat Corporate Text.
-
Articles
in business periodicals, including newspapers and trade journals,
are available in university libraries and major regional public
libraries. Several business
databases are available online through George Mason
University Libraries that can be used to research companies.
-
Directories
and employer databases differ widely in the quantity and type
of information provided. Some give minimal information and are
primarily useful for generating lists of organizations to contact
for more in-depth information. The major directories are available
in most libraries.
-
People
resources provide the most up-to-date information on companies
and industries. Interviewing
Professionals for Career and Job Hunting Information has more
advice on obtaining information from professionals in your field.
| |
For specific resources about the following topics, use the A
to Z index to reference Researching Companies and Industries.
- Researching
Small Companies
- Resources
for Company Rankings
- Finding
Employers Related to Specific Fields
- Finding
Employers in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area
- Selected
Employer Databases and Printed Directories
- Resources
about International Employers
|
|
Return
to page top
