Finding a Job - Researching Organizations

Why should I research organizations?

Researching organizations is an integral part of your job search process. Employers expect you to know about their industry, their organization, the position for which you are applying, and even something about the interviewer and his/her position. They expect you to demonstrate this knowledge in cover letters and other correspondence as well as during the interview. Particularly before an interview, it is crucial to have acquired adequate background knowledge of the organization. This will help you to be better prepared for the interview and give you the edge necessary to win the job.

What should I find out?

This is a sampling of some of the information you might want to know about each company/organization prior to an interview:

Mission
Date founded
Size/Branch locations
National/International
Job titles/typical salaries
Corporate culture
Competitors
Structure/departments
Typical career path
Current events/recent news
Key people

How can I use CCE to learn more about organizations?

The Career Resource Center in the Center for Career Education is filled with a variety of valuable resources to fit your career research needs. When beginning your organization research, the Career Resource Center is a great place to start. Although there may not be information regarding the specific organization that you are investigating, you will be able to find the relevant industry information.

Remember, researching an organization does not mean only learning about the particulars of that organization; it means learning about the industry and current affairs within the industry as well.

Periodicals - There are a number of industry specific periodicals, such as Business Week, Nonprofit Times, Poets & Writers, Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Crain’s New York Business, Advertising Age, Fortune, Forbes, and Backstage. Although the specific organization you are researching may not be directly mentioned in any of the articles, it is helpful to read through them to remain up to date on current affairs within the industry.
Career Fairs and Special Events - CCE offers a wealth of networking events and career fairs to help you meet professionals in different industries to learn about the day-to-day life. Please see our Career Fairs and Special Events page and our Events Calendar for a complete listing of industry specific events.

Using the Internet

Employers expect that you will have visited their Web site and read about them before the interview. While company Web sites are very important, do not overlook the importance of viewing general industry specific sites. Like organization sites, they may offer job listings, but, more importantly, they may give you industry information that will help you prepare for your interviews. One advantage the Internet has over any other resource is that it usually holds the most updated information available. In addition to looking up the organization sites, here are some other helpful Internet sites to check out:

Informational Interviewing

Informational interviewing is a great way to obtain insider information on a specific organization and/or industry. For tips on how to conduct an effective informational interview, refer to the materials in the Career Resource Center, as well as the Networking & Informational Interviewing tip sheet.

Don’t wait until the last minute!
Keep on top of your organization/industry research.
The more you know, the better your chances.

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