Internet Job Search: Researching Online
Conducting company research will help you answer the questions:?
“Do I want to work for this company?”
“Why do I want to work for this company?”
Spending time researching a company before an interview can also have huge benefits, employers value candidates who know about their company and the industry.
Questions to Consider When Researching Companies
- What does the company do?
- When was the company established?
- How many employees does the company have?
- What is the company’s mission and/or vision statement?
- Are there new products or projects that the company is currently working on?
- Who are their clients or customers?
- Who are their major competitors?
- What is the business environment like?
- What are their standards and business practices?
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- Does the company belong to any associations or business bureaus?
- What are their hiring practices and procedures
Questions to Consider When Researching Companies
When looking for information about companies online, think beyond their website. Research the company on business directories, association websites, Chamber of Commerce directories, in press releases, articles and trade journals.
Questions to Consider When Researching Companies
Job interviewers often ask one or both of the following question(s):
Why do you want to work here?”
“What do you know about our organization?”
Company research is an important part of preparing for an interview. Knowing about the company will make a positive impact on the interviewer. To answer these two questions well, you must be knowledgeable about the position and the organization.
For example, in response to the question, “Why do you want to work at XYZ Company?” a candidate who has conducted research could respond:
“I conducted quite a bit of research about your company by reviewing your website, looking at your profile on the Scott’s online database, and speaking to my friend Roger who used to work here. Through all my research, I noticed that your company is very interested in innovation and maintains a reputation for being cutting edge within the industry. My previous managers have called me an ‘ideas person’ and I really enjoy using my creativity within a job. Both of these qualities make me very well suited to a company where innovation is part of the culture, such as XYZ Company.”