Researching a Prospective Employer - How To Do It Effectively.

Researching a prospective employer is an often missed step when applying for work. It easy to get excited when you find a dream career and the perfect job. But not digging deep into an employer’s current situation and past reputation can prove to be a costly mistake.




You bet your bottom dollar that employers are checking your references, online profile, digital dirt, and credentials before extending an offer. You would be mistaken to not do the same with any prospective hiring organization. So before you rev-up your resume and complete your cover letter, let’s take a closer look at why you should research employers, what to look for, and how to sleuth like Sherlock.


Why research employers?




I’ve worked for many companies over the years. Some jobs have been wonderful while others have left me wondering. I’ve learned the hard way to always spend some time learning about an organization before applying for a job. Here’s why you’ve got to do some detective work and unearth the employer’s dirt:




1. To determine if the company is right for you. You may just find a dislike towards a particular industry, dig up unfortunate corporate digital dirt, or uncover poor employee relations. It’s also possible to be disinterested in the company’s products or services.




2. To decide if you’re right for the company. Some companies or industries may not be the right fit for your skill set or for your ethics.




3. To help tailor your application (resume, cover letter) to the position. Knowing specifically what makes the company tick can turn your application into the bomb.




4. To help address the needs of the organization. Knowing why the company needs to hire for a position is key to addressing how you can help the company.




5. To prepare excellent interview questions. Knowing specific industry information or advanced product knowledge can get you closer to an offer.


6. To demonstrate your interest in the organization. A common interview question is “Why do you want to work for us?” Having an educated answer puts you ahead of the competition. One of the most important ways to distinguish yourself in an interview is to speak knowledgeably about the organization.

7. To educate yourself about a particular industry. Perhaps this job is in a new industry for you. Get in the know before writing your application and heading into the interview room.


Click here to read part 2 of this article

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