ITBE 388: Career Information   Tags: business, careers, course_guides, employers, research  

Preparation on the part of the job seeker plays a huge role in landing the ideal job. Doing research in the beginning stages of the job search will aid in choosing the right jobs to apply for, preparing for the interview and accepting/declining an offer from a potential employer. Learning about employers has the following benefits:

Increase Your 'Marketability'
shows your interest, enthusiasm and preparation; helps you make a good first impression

Write Better Cover Letters & Resumes
highlight that you match employer’s needs

Be Prepared for Interviews
shows knowledge of the organization; gives you an answer to 'why you would like the job'; helps you formulate intelligent and appropriate questions to ask in the interview

Make Informed Decisions
narrow choices of what jobs to apply for; helps you decide whether or not to accept a position

In this day and age with tons of information right at your fingertips, researching potential employers is more crucial than ever. It's no longer enough to just know the company's website. Employers expect you to know the website - inside and out. They are looking for candidates that have down their homework, which means going beyond browsing their virtual presence.

So what sorts of information are you looking for? Below are some starting points:

• Organization Overview - what they do, size, finances, growth, structure
• Employer Image - reputation, awards, competition, associations
• People - top executives and their credentials, organizational culture
• Locations - corporate headquarters, branches, subsidiaries
• Professional Development - training, career path, benefits

This class guide was adapted from a presentation given by Laura Jacobs, Internship Coordinator - Career & Leadership Development, and Kyle Naff, Business Librarian - Andersen Library.

If you have questions regarding the job search process, career advice, resume critiques, and other career-related concerns, contact Laura at morrowl@uww.edu.

For questions regarding researching employers, contact Kyle at naffk@uww.edu.