Career Readiness Guide

Researching a potential employer is integral to the job search process. Doing targeted, in-depth research allows you to determine whether or not the company is a good fit for you, and also gives you a competitive edge when writing application materials and during interviews. Being prepared to discuss and ask informed questions about a company always impresses hiring managers! 

Not all of the following questions will be of importance when considering a potential company, but they are starting points for investigation.

• What is the company's mission? 
• What is the company's history, products and services?
• Who are their clients, customers, and competitors?
• What do you know about the executive team of the company?
• What do current and previous employees have to say about their experience working for the company? (Check Glassdoor, for instance).
• Has the company, or its leadership, been in the news?
• How is the company positioned within its competitive landscape or its industry?
• Has the company made commitments to a safe and healthy environment (physically and culturally)?
• Does the company center equity through all aspects of the employee process—recruitment, training and development, promotions, pay, benefits, etc.?
• Has the company made commitments to social responsibility or community engagement?

1. Check the company's website

All companies use their website as one of the primary tools to communicate with customers, investors, and potential employees. Though a company's website content is created to present the company in the best possible way, it is a good resource to search for information regarding the company's history, mission, purpose, leadership, strategy, products, diversity and social responsibility statements, etc. Look for any of the following on the website:

• About Us
• News
• Financials (this might be a section for investors)
• Annual Report
• Key People (executive team and board of directors)

2. Review the company's social media pages, and executives' presence on LinkedIn.

3. Use a library databases to locate company profiles for major U.S. public businesses. Use the link below for Business Source Premier. Make certain that you know the official name of the company; this will make it easier to identify it (do a quick internet search, if necessary).

These comprehensive profiles include a company overview, history, financials, key personnel, SWOT analysis - more information than you can find in a typical internet search. Minnesota companies with a national profile, such as Target and Medtronic, often have a MarketLine Company Profile. 

4. Reviewing information about a company's competitors can also be helpful. If you've found a company profile, look for Top Competitors. 

5. Use external business and news sources to learn more about a company. 

Researching private companies can be challenging as they are not required to provide information to the public.